An exciting opportunity in scientific knowledge base development

Transcription

1 An exciting opportunity in scientific knowledge base development Lhasa Limited is a not-for-profit company and educational charity with an enviable reputation for collaboration. Its world leading Derek Nexus, Sarah Nexus, Zeneth and Meteor Nexus software systems are becoming industry standards for toxicity, chemical degradation and metabolism prediction. Lhasa Limited is also developing Vitic Nexus, a high quality, structure- searchable chemical database that can be used to develop predictive toxicology models and is participating in several, high profile EU research projects using this software. Knowledge Base Scientist To 41, Days Holiday + Pension What do we offer? An exciting opportunity now exists for a highly motivated scientist to join the knowledge base team and be involved in the research and development of knowledge bases and other predictive methodologies for the hazard and risk assessment of chemicals. What is the role? The candidate will research, develop and implement rules for use in our products suitable for the prediction of the metabolism or toxicity of chemicals. Although based in Leeds, working on secondment for extended periods with scientists in member organisations either in the UK or abroad will be fundamental to the role. This ensures that we continue to understand our members ongoing needs and helps bring new skills into Lhasa. The successful candidate should expect to be seconded within twelve months of taking up the post. Who we want? Applicants should be educated to degree level or equivalent in (bio)organic, medicinal or computational chemistry, preferably with a PhD, (or have equivalent experience), and possess a good understanding of chemical structures and organic reaction mechanisms. Experience in chemical toxicology and/or metabolism would be advantageous, and some knowledge of the design and application of databases, quantitative structureactivity relationships or cheminformatics methods would be desirable. Applicants will also need to be able to demonstrate an aptitude for the evaluation of biological or chemical data and the identification and rationalization of trends within these. Salary will be in the range of 25,568-41,054 p.a. plus benefits depending on qualifications and relevant experience. Job reference number: LL/16/14 Closing date for applications: Friday 25th July 2014 For further information on Lhasa Limited and to obtain an application pack, please visit

2 Knowledge Base Scientist Job Description Grade 6 Summary of the Role To develop knowledge and associated databases for the assessment of the biological, chemical or environmental properties of chemicals within the Knowledge Base team at Lhasa Limited. Reports to The Knowledge Base Scientist will report directly to a more senior Knowledge Base Colleague. Main Responsibilities Collate data relevant to the biological, chemical or environmental properties of chemicals; Identify and interpret trends within these data relating the biological, chemical or environmental property to the structures and physicochemical properties of the chemicals concerned; Formulate generalised rules based on these observations suitable for the prediction of the biological, chemical or environmental properties of other chemicals; Formulate generalised rules to combine these predictions with those from other related software; Add these rules to the system knowledge bases using specially-developed knowledge editing tools; Test and document the resulting knowledge bases. Provide written or verbal progress reports as the need arises for internal Lhasa Limited use and/or for external project sponsors; The opportunity also exists for members of the Knowledge Base team to present the results of their work at conferences and other external meetings and to write up their work for publication. Present the results of knowledge base development work on a regular basis to other members of the Knowledge Base team; Provide technical and scientific advice to other Lhasa Limited teams, including Sales, Marketing and Account Management and Software Development; Contribute to the review of the work of other teams, principally in the areas of software and database testing. The Scientist will be required to spend extended periods (3-12 months) working at member organisation sites either within the UK or abroad; The Scientist may also on occasion be required to liaise with Lhasa Limited member organisations which may have an interest in, or sponsor, their work. The Scientist will liaise with other Lhasa Limited employees, notably those in Research Group, Sales, Marketing and Account Management and Software Development, as the need arises.

3 Other Undertake additional tasks and responsibilities which may be reasonably expected of the role as necessary to achieve the objectives of the Knowledge Base Team and company goals. Policies and procedures To comply with all relevant company policies and procedures. To complete all documents and records as required by the company policies and procedures.

4 Knowledge Base Scientist Job Description Grade 7 Summary of the Role To develop knowledge and associated databases for the assessment of the biological, chemical or environmental properties of chemicals within the Knowledge Base team at Lhasa Limited. To facilitate others in undertaking the same activities. Reports to The Knowledge Base Scientist will report directly to a Line Manager within the Knowledge Base Team. Main Responsibilities Collate data relevant to the biological, chemical or environmental properties of chemicals; Identify and interpret trends within these data relating the biological, chemical or environmental property to the structures and physicochemical properties of the chemicals concerned; Formulate generalised rules based on these observations suitable for the prediction of the biological, chemical or environmental properties of other chemicals; Formulate generalised rules to combine these predictions with those from other related software; Add these rules to the system knowledge bases using specially-developed knowledge editing tools; Test and document the resulting knowledge bases. Provide written or verbal progress reports as the need arises for internal Lhasa Limited use and/or for external project sponsors; The opportunity also exists for members of the Knowledge Base team to present the results of their work at conferences and other external meetings and to write up their work for publication. Present the results of knowledge base development work on a regular basis to other members of the Knowledge Base team; Provide technical and scientific advice to other Lhasa Limited teams, including Sales, Marketing and Account Management and Software Development; Contribute to the review of the work of other teams, principally in the areas of software and database testing. The Senior Scientist will be required to spend extended periods (3-12 months) working at member organisation sites either within the UK or abroad; The Senior Scientist may also on occasion be required to liaise with Lhasa Limited member organisations which may have an interest in, or sponsor, their work. The Senior Scientist will liaise with other Lhasa Limited employees, notably those Research Group, Sales, Marketing and Account Management and Software Development, as the need arises;

5 Staff Senior/Principal Scientists may undertake the supervision of other members of staff or lead small project teams, according to their interest and as the opportunity arises. Other Undertake additional tasks and responsibilities which may be reasonably expected of the role as necessary to achieve the objectives of the Knowledge Base Team and company goals. Policies and procedures To comply with all relevant company policies and procedures. To complete all documents and records as required by the company policies and procedures.

6 Knowledge Base Scientist Candidate Profile Grade 6 Grade 7 Education and Qualifications Degree level or equivalent in a relevant biological or chemical science Postgraduate level or equivalent in a relevant biological or chemical science Skills and Knowledge Good understanding of chemical structures and organic reaction mechanisms Knowledge of relevant biological, chemical or environmental properties Basic IT skills (use of Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Office or similar products) Time management skills (completion of assigned tasks to deadline) Written communication skills (clear, concise and accurate written summary of scientific information and work progress) Organisational skills (planning of numerous and varied assigned tasks) Verbal presentation skills (clear, accurate and stimulating oral presentation of scientific information and work progress) Management skills (person management and project leadership) Abilities Able to produce work of a high standard Able to work effectively and responsibly without close supervision Able to collate and manage large volumes of biological, chemical or environmental property data Able to identify and interpret structure-activity Low complexity Medium complexity trends in biological, chemical or environmental property data Able to formulate rules for the prediction of Low complexity Medium complexity biological, chemical or environmental properties Able to develop new intellectual techniques where required Experience Experience working in a scientific research or development environment Experience in searching and retrieving scientific data Experience in the identification and interpretation of structure-activity trends, ideally in relation to relevant biological, chemical or environmental properties Experience in the use of relevant software in the areas of Chemoinformatics, Modelling, and Statistical analysis (e.g. JChem, Symyx Draw,

7 Metabolism, KNIME, ChemSpider or similar products) Experience in the supervision of staff or the leadership of small projects Personal Characteristics Conscientious with good attention to detail Self-motivated and able to work independently Personable and able to work in a small team