Research Associate in Biological Chemistry

13448BR

Cardiff School of Chemistry

Research

Advert

Research Associate in Biological Chemistry
Cardiff School of Chemistry
Cardiff University

We seek to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated scientist with proven intellectual and technical abilities to work in the area of biological chemistry.

The overall focus of the programme is exciting, collaborative, hard working, focusing on translational research and innovation with both societal and environmental impacts.

Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant area of Biological Chemistry, or relevant industrial experience.

Further information is available at the following group webpage:
Professor Rudolf Allemann: http://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/allemann/

For informal enquiries about the role and the School of Chemistry, please contact Professor Rudolf Allemann, e-mail: [email protected]

For further details about working at Cardiff University, please contact: Caroline Pasmore ([email protected] )

This position is full time (35 hours per week) and is available from 1 April 2022 for 3 years.

To work for an employer that values and promotes equality of opportunity, please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs and search for vacancy number: 13448BR.

Salary: £34,304 - £40,927 per annum (Grade 6)

Important note: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.  Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 13448BR.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 20 January 2022

Closing date: Thursday, 17 February 2022

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 who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. 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: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”

Job Description

Main function

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

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

• To conduct research within Biological Chemistry 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 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

•    To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

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

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1.  Postgraduate degree at PhD level in Biological Chemistry or a related subject area or relevant industrial  experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2.  An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:

i.      alternative strategies to specialized metabolites discovery

ii.      biosynthesis, enzymology, and synthetic biology

iii.     genomics-driven discovery, molecular cloning and strain construction

3.   Knowledge of status of research in one or more areas of surface spectroscopy and microscopy

4.   Proven ability to publish in international journals and at national and/or international conferences

5.  Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding         bodies.

Communication and Team Working

6.  Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication of scientific results.

7.  Ability to supervise the work of others in a laboratory setting, in order to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.

Other

8.  Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.

9.  Proven ability to work without close supervision and supervision of undergraduate (project) students.

Desirable Criteria

1. Molecular biology and strain engineering, cultivation of microorganisms, analytical sample preparation, experience with a range of characterisation techniques including Gas Chromatography (GC), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Nuclear Magnetic  Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry (MS).

2.  Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.

3.   Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

4.   Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

5.    A willingness to take responsibility for academically related administration.

6.    Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.

Additional Information

Project Description

Due to pressure on available farmland, there is an urgent need for sustainably enhancing food crop production. One approach to combat insect pests it to repel or attract them, using (semio)chemical signal baited traps, keeping them away from high value crops.

We have produced modified aphid repellent and attractant semiochemicals through a strategic chemical process using enzymes. A novel and highly attractive aphid semiochemical, a dimethylgermacrene D (DMGD) has shown high field attraction to a range of pest aphids and has been demonstrated in field simulating studies as offering pest aphid control by the push-pull approach with the push against plant colonisation provided by the natural repellent, germacrene D (GD), in the isoprenoid group of natural products and the pull by the related DMGD. Opportunities for commercial scale up have been identified and can now underpin field trials for aphid control and commercial testing specifically against the lettuce aphid in the high value field production of lettuce. This new position will effect the exciting task of producing the novel organic compounds described above.

Job Category

Academic - Research