Post Doctoral Research Associate

Transcription

1 Post Doctoral Research Associate College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology Department of Cardiovascular Sciences Salary Grade 7-31,331 per annum Fixed term contract for two years Ref: MBP00848 At Leicester we re going places. Ranked in the top 20 universities in Britain our aim is to climb further. A commitment to high quality fused with an inclusive academic culture is our hallmark and led the Times Higher Education to describe us as elite without being elitist. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) funded research program entitled Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery is led by the BHF professor of Cardiac Surgery. It consists of 3 individual clinical trials to develop preventative, diagnostic and novel treatment options for acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery. The purpose of this key post is to lead the laboratory analysis with the aim to develop novel biomarkers of post-operative inflammatory organ injury. There s never been a more exciting time to join us. At the University of Leicester we are enjoying research success on a world stage and gathering the awards and plaudits to match. We are described as elite without being elitist. We are proud to be elite. But we are at least as proud to be an inclusive and progressive university. This commitment to high quality, an inclusive academic culture and belief in the synergy of teaching and research are our hallmarks. We believe that teaching is inspirational when delivered by passionate scholars engaged in world-changing research that is delivered in an academic community that includes postgraduate as well as undergraduate students. Our approach to research yields great rewards. Our research impact, measured by citations per academic, is the sixth highest in the UK. Our success in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise saw Quality Related research income rise by 18% placing us firmly amongst Britain s top 20 research universities by this measure. The RAE also revealed that Leicester is home to Britain s top-rated research department Museum Studies which has the highest concentration of world class research of any department of any discipline in the UK. We believe that teaching and research are synergistic, and the National Student Survey demonstrates that the quality of our teaching is amongst the highest in the country. Since the launch of the survey in 2006, Leicester has consistently featured amongst the top-10 universities in England for student satisfaction. The Sunday Times described Leicester as "top... amongst mainstream multifaculty universities for student satisfaction". Currently a University of 23,000 students, with a turnover of 260m and 3,800 colleagues, our future is bright. Our Strategic Vision describes our plans to invest a billion pounds in our estate as we transform our campus. Already consistently ranked in the top-20 universities in Britain, by 2015 we aim to rise further to become top-10.

2 Leicester is the most inclusive of Britain s top-20 universities with the greatest proportions of students from under-represented groups. As a group of talented individuals we are more diverse than ever and stronger for it. At Leicester we are proud of our distinct approach, our achievements and our ambitious plans. If you share our approach join us. We are proud holders of the Athena Swan Bronze Award which recognises and celebrates good practice for employment in science, engineering and technology (SET) in higher education and research. The award reflects our commitment to the advancement and promotion of diversity and equality. We are actively seeking Silver and Gold awards. College information College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology Pro-Vice-Chancellor & Head of College: Professor David Wynford-Thomas FMedSci The College s mission is to pursue the highest standards of research, education and training in biomedical and related subjects, and to apply this knowledge and expertise to enhance the quality of life and economic prosperity of populations, both locally and in the wider world. Its considerable academic resources mean that it is already widely recognised for the international impact of its research and the quality of its undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. This is reflected in the high proportion of academic staff regarded as international in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, and the consistently high ratings achieved in the National Student Survey. This is an exciting time to join a dynamic new academic enterprise and contribute to its development. The new College is creating the academic and physical environment to enable scientists and clinicians to work together across traditional boundaries to address some of the key outstanding questions in biomedical research and to engage with increasing effectiveness with commercial and public bodies. The College brings together 10 departments: Biochemistry, Biology, Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Sciences, Cell Physiology and Pharmacology, Genetics, Health Sciences, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Medical and Social Care Education and Psychology. In addition the University hosts the MRC Toxicology Unit, with which there is close collaboration. Building on existing strengths, multi-disciplinary research themes have been developed to exploit synergies between basic science, clinical medicine and psychology in the College. These themes are in the fields of genome science; molecular & cellular bioscience; cancer; cardiovascular sciences; respiratory science; microbial science; neuroscience and behaviour; and population science. A further theme is exploring the research which underpins teaching & learning. ( The College has approximately 295 academic staff and 718 research, administrative and other staff, with a total of approximately 2,350 fte undergraduate students and 850 postgraduates. It has an annual turnover of 64M. University of Leicester 2 10 July 2013

3 The Department of Cardiovascular Sciences Head: Professor N J Samani BSc, MD, FRCP, FACC, FMedSci, DL Cardiovascular research has been a major strength of the Leicester Medical School since its inception. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), 95% of the cardiovascular research in Leicester was considered to be of international level, over half the submitted outputs ranked as outstanding or excellent and one in seven of the submitted research outputs ranked as worldleading. The Department of Cardiovascular Sciences undertakes research ranging from molecular and cellular studies, all the way through translational research and into clinical studies. The strong links with the NHS were highlighted in the RAE. This has been further recognised by the award of a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Unit (BRU) in Cardiovascular Disease to a partnership of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) and the University of Leicester, which has recently been renewed for a further 5 years from April In addition the Department oversees an NIHR Clinical Research Network in Stroke (Clinical Lead: Professor TG Robinson). The Department has strong links with the British Heart Foundation (BHF). It holds two BHF Chairs: one in Cardiology (Professor NJ Samani) and one in Cardiac Surgery (Professor G Murphy). In addition the BHF have been the major sponsor of the new 12.5 million BHF Cardiovascular Research Centre in Glenfield Hospital. Major areas of research in the Department include: cardiovascular genetics, vascular biology, hypertension and vascular damage, thrombosis and haemostasis, coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke and baroreceptor regulation, cardiac arrhythmias, carotid and peripheral vascular disease, myocardial protection and regeneration, biomarkers and diagnostics. The Department is organised into three principal Research Themes to mirror cardiovascular subthemes in the College. These are: Cardiovascular Genomics and Proteomics (Academic members: Professor NJ Samani, Professor L Ng, Dr M Tomaszewski, Mr M Bown, Dr D Jones, Dr N Chong, Dr D Lodwick, Dr T Webb, Dr E Stringer) Cardiovascular Cell Biology and Signalling (Professor A Goodall, Professor N Brindle, Professor D Lambert, Dr C Erridge, Dr K Herbert, Dr R Rainbow, Dr J Thompson, Dr G Rodrigo) Cardiovascular Physiology and Clinical Trials (Professor T Robinson, Professor G Murphy, Professor AR Naylor, Professor R Panerai, Professor R Sayers, Professor T Coats, Professor AH Gershlick, Professor I Squire, Professor T Spyt, Dr GA Ng, Dr G McCann, Dr W Toff, Mr E Choke, Dr M Horsfield, Dr E Chung, Dr J Davies, Dr J Kovac, Dr D Chin) For clinical interactions and identity, academic staff are also grouped under several clinical research groupings, including cardiology, cardiac surgery, emergency medicine, hypertension, medical physics, pharmacology and therapeutics, stroke medicine and vascular surgery. The Department also hosts an Ophthalmology research group (Professor I Gottlob, Mr F Proudlock). The Department has close collaborations with academic staff located in other Departments in the College, notably Health Sciences, Cell Physiology and Pharmacology, Genetics and elsewhere in the University including Engineering and Physics. There are strong links with clinical staff in UHL, several of whom have extensive research programmes and hold honorary positions in the Department up to Chair level. Members of the Department also have extensive collaborations with national and international partners including Industry. The Department currently occupies excellent accommodation in the Clinical Sciences Wing in Glenfield Hospital and the Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building at the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI). Construction of a new 12.5 million Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield has recently University of Leicester 3 10 July 2013

4 been completed. This provides an additional 2,200m facility including a biobank capable of storing samples from up to 100,000 individuals, a clinical research informatics unit and a data to knowledge unit, which together captures, codes and translates anonymous patient data for research and accommodates an advanced IT link between the University and hospital. The NIHR Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit (BRU) is an integral part of the Department. The mission of the BRU is to undertake high quality clinical research, especially translational research taking laboratory findings into the clinical setting and including Phase 1 through to Phase 3 studies. The BRU has established state-of-the-art facilities for clinical research on the Glenfield Hospital site including a 3T MRI scanner. The University has recently received a donation of 7 million from the John and Lucille van Geest Foundation to support cardiovascular research that will enable creation of a 2.5 million proteomics facility and a 4.5 million Cardiovascular Research Fund to pump-prime and support research projects in cardiovascular research. Departmental Administration The Department is managed on a day-to-day basis by an Executive committee, consisting of the Head of Department (Professor NJ Samani), Deputy Head (Professor TG Robinson), the College Cardiovascular Research Theme Lead (Professor AH Goodall), the Departmental Manager (Ms Susan Ackermann) and the Deputy Manager (Miss Janet Harris). The Executive Committee meets weekly. The Executive committee reports to the Departmental Strategy Board, comprising the Head and Deputy Head, Leads of each research theme and all other University-employed Professorial level staff in the Department. The Board, which meets bi-monthly, is responsible for setting the research strategy for the Department and advising the Executive on management of the Department. An Academic Committee (Chair: Professor A Goodall) is responsible for undergraduate and postgraduate academic issues and running the Department s seminar program and research days. A technical and clerical sub-committee (Chair: Ms Susan Ackermann) is responsible for technical and clerical matters. The Cardiovascular BRU has its own Executive Committee. The Head of Department (and in his absence the Deputy Head) sits on the College Management Board and on the University s Senate and is responsible for the activities in the Department to the Head of College and the Vice-Chancellor. Your Role The purpose of this key post is to develop and carry out laboratory based science associated with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) funded research programme entitled Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery. The programme is led by the BHF professor of Cardiac Surgery. It consists of 3 individual clinical trials to develop preventative, diagnostic and novel treatment options for acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery. Further, the post holder will be expected to develop and carry out own research whilst contributing as a team member to the wider research themes in cardiovascular sciences. The successful candidate will possess a higher degree or equivalent in a relevant biomedical or similar subject; have experience of genomics and notices bio-informatics statistics; have a good track record of delivering multiple strands of laboratory work and an the ability to demonstrate leadership across a team. Flexibility and the ability to work unsupervised or as part of a team are essential. University of Leicester 4 10 July 2013

5 Principal Accountabilities The Research Associate will be expected to contribute to the experimental design and laboratory analysis plans and determining the direction of the programme in line with reaching the research goals of the research projects, develop their independent research and provide guidance to the other members of the team. Specifically, the Research Associate will be expected: To develop and carry out an independent original research programme, giving guidance to other technical members of the team. To plan and carry out the work programme for own research contribution, using methodology and techniques appropriate to this type of research. To contribute to directing the work of the team (i.e. co-supervise a PhD student and/or technician) including prioritisation of tasks. To write up research findings for dissemination amongst the research team and broader international community. To perform analysis of data and extrapolation of new themes/ strands in area of research. To take a lead in presenting results at scientific meetings in the UK and overseas. To participate in general laboratory activities to ensure the efficient functioning of the lab. To adhere to health and safety procedures affecting self and others at all times and to help the lab safety officer enforcing good safety practice in the lab. To assist with the training of new members of the lab, including undergraduate students and work experience trainees. To undertake such duties consistent with the grade of the post as may be reasonably required. Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Essential: Technical, technology/engineering or scientific degree. Full understanding of a broad and/or complex technical or scientific field. For supervisory roles - supervisory/management experience and a qualification in management of ONC or above. Financial training to manage budgets where appropriate. In possession of or working towards a professional qualification. Additional Requirements for Job: PhD in cardiovascular science or related subject* Experience in standard techniques of molecular biology and genomics* Evidence of research productivity (e.g. research publications in peer review journals, presentations, etc) Evidence of involvement in innovative research Knowledge of research field.* University of Leicester 5 10 July 2013

6 Experience in research field.* (*Criteria to be used to shortlist candidates for interview) Skills, Abilities and Competencies Essential Well-developed understanding of Health and Safety regulations and procedures. Proven analytical and technical/scientific problem solving capability. Additional Requirements for Job: Desirable Good background in genomics, statistics and computer literate.* Ability to work well in a team. Good written and oral communication skills.* Effective interpersonal skills.* Ability to plan, implement and deliver multiple strands of work.* The ability to demonstrate leadership skills throughout the team including problem solving (e.g. methodology and techniques). Evidence of continued personal development of subject expertise. Ability to communicate complex information clearly.* Effective planning and organisational skills. To be able to demonstrate research potential and enthusiasm of the subject area and deliver high quality research. To be able to prioritise, plan, organise and deliver a programme of work effectively and to the required standard. Experience in supervising students. Experience in presenting results at national/international meetings (*Criteria to be used to shortlist candidates for interview) Informal Enquiries Informal enquiries should be made to Veerle Verheyden via on vv46@le.ac.uk or telephone on Applications For further information and to apply on-line, please visit our website: The closing date for this post is midnight on Friday 09 th August 2013 We anticipate that interviews will take place on either the 16 th or 20 th of August University of Leicester 6 10 July 2013

7 Candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted by the University. If you do not receive a communication from the University within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. University of Leicester 7 10 July 2013