Research Fellow (Chemistry Lead)

12456BR

Cardiff School of Biosciences

Research

Advert

Research Fellow – Chemistry Lead
Medicines Discovery Institute
Cardiff School of Biosciences
The Medicines Discovery Institute (MDI) was launched in early 2019 and is a major Cardiff University initiative to translate world-leading research on scientific understanding of disease mechanisms into innovative therapeutic approaches, with a specific – although not exclusive - focus on neuroscience and mental health.  We are integral to a vibrant community of researchers across both academic and biotech sectors engaged in major research programmes which build off the unique strengths of Cardiff University and work collaboratively with other universities and companies across Wales and internationally. As a multidisciplinary team of around 40 drug discovery scientists that benefits from industry-standard, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, the scientific and technical capabilities of the MDI has been reflected in the awarding of around £20m in research funding since the Institute started and our lead project for the treatment of schizophrenia has just entered clinical development.

As part of our continued drive to deliver new drugs to patients, we wish to appoint a Research Fellow to join a multidisciplinary team working on a 2-year project funded by the MRC. The project is targeting a subtype of GABAA receptors that are implicated in the pathophysiology of post-partum depression, which is an extreme form of the common so-called “baby blues”. Post-partum depression occurs within the first year after birth in around 20% of mothers and can have serious short- and long-term consequences for both mother and child. In this project we aiming to increase the activity of a unique population of GABAA receptors that are found outside the synapse and which control general brain excitability.

This role will lead the medicinal chemistry plan of a newly awarded grant to develop novel treatments for postpartum depression. You will be expected to provide ideas and innovation, specifically in the interpretation of screening data from biology assays and in the design of the medicinal chemistry plan. It is a laboratory-based position where you will be reporting to the project manager and responsible for the day-to-day management of small team of chemists to ensure delivery on milestones.

The post will be based at Cardiff University. For informal inquiries, please contact [email protected] .
This position is full-time, and fixed term from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2023.

Salary: £43,434 - £50,296 per annum (Grade 7).

Date advert posted: Thursday, 28 October 2021

Closing date: Thursday, 18 November 2021
This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

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: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”

Job Description

To lead or work within research projects, to contribute to the research record of the Medicines Discovery Institute through commitment to carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Research
• To independently develop research objectives within Medicinal and Synthetic Chemistry, projects or proposals for own or joint research including research funding acting as a PI as required.
• Lead medicinal chemistry strategies and multi-disciplinary drug discovery teams, and demonstrate excellence in modern synthetic and medicinal chemistry and drug design.
• To develop research networks through regular national/international conference/seminar presentations
• To generate and pursue independent and original research ideas in the field of research and support the initiation of new lines of research in related areas
• To disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective national  and international publications, research seminars, meetings and conferences
• 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
• To supervise and develop other research staff within own research projects
• To provide guidance students in own specialist area, including supervising and assessing undergraduate projects
• To participate in School research activities.

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 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

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in 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. Medicinal chemistry
ii. Synthetic chemistry
iii. Drug Discovery
3. Growing national reputation within academic field with proven substantial record of publications in national journals and/or other research outputs.
4. Proven ability attain competitive research funding along with a strong portfolio of research grants
5. Experience of coordinating and managing outsourced contract research activities and leading medicinal chemistry strategies across multi-disciplinary drug discovery teams
6. Ability to synthesise, purify and characterise molecules and develop new synthetic routes and techniques for self and others
7. Experience of developing multistage heterocyclic synthetic organic chemistry routes to target molecules and solving synthetic problems for a chemistry team

Communication and Team Working
8. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication,
9. Proven ability to lead and develop a research team and to attract MA and PhD students

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

Desirable Criteria

1. Relevant professional qualification(s).
2. Evidence of collaborations with industry.
3. Named inventor on patent applications.
4. Proven ability to work without close supervision
5. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
6. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the teaching and research activities of the Institute.
7. A willingness to take responsibility for academically related administration.

Job Category

Academic - Research