Research Associate

Advert

Research Associate 
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
School of Medicine 
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences 

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Cardiff Rare Genetic Variant Research Programme (ECHO) team in the Cardiff University School of Medicine, Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus. 

In this role, you will: 

• Conduct statistical analysis of already collected data on psychiatric health and neurocognition in a cohort of children and adolescents with rare genetic mutations.

• Prepare papers for publication in scientific journals, working with the larger team.

• Present the findings at meetings and conferences.

• Be involved with the supervision of student research projects.
  

We’d like to hear from you if you: 

• Have demonstrated expertise in a range of statistical methods.

• Have demonstrated experience with working with large and complex databases.

• Have experience publishing in scientific papers.

• Have experience presenting findings at meetings and conferences.

• Enjoy being part of a vibrant and collaborative research team.

Please contact Professor Marianne van den Bree ([email protected] ) for an informal, confidential discussion about the role. 

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available immediately and fixed term until 14th April 2025.
Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6).  Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances. 

This role is eligible to be offered on a blended working basis, meaning that as well as spending time working on campus you may spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.  

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.
How we will support you in performing in this role –
There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience.  We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:
1.    Regular one-to-ones with your manager.
2.    An experienced and supportive team around you.
3.    Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require.
4.    A mentoring scheme. 

Date advert posted: Thursday, 30 November 2023

Closing Date: Tuesday, 2 January 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. 

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. 

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University  

Job Description

Job Purpose 

To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality papers, pursue excellence in research and inspire others to do the same.  

Duties and Responsibilities 

Key Duties 

Research  

• To conduct research within psychiatric genetics and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.   

• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.

• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.  

• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.

• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.

• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.

• To participate in School research activities.

• To supervise the work of students including the supervision of Undergraduate and Master’s students and their research projects. 

• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Other 

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile. 

• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance. 

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.

• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications and Education 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

Communication and Team Working 

Other 

Desirable Criteria  

Additional Information

This post will be within the Cardiff rare genetic variant research programme, also known as ECHO (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/centre-neuropsychiatric-genetics-genomics/research/themes/developmental-psychiatry/copy-number-variant-research-group . Led by Professor Marianne van den Bree the successful candidate will be working within a vibrant internationally acclaimed team including researchers, clinicians and students. 

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria 

Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria. 

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to you application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance, 17541BR. 

Job Category

Academic - Research