Job Description and Person Specification

Transcription

1 DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY U N I V E R S I T Y O F O X F O R D Job Description and Person Specification Post University Lectureship in Biochemistry: Microbial Biochemistry and/or Biophysics, in association with a Tutorial Fellowship at Oriel College Department/Faculty Biochemistry Division College Contract type Medical Sciences Division Oriel College Five years in the first instance, then reappointment to retiring age upon completion of a successful review. Salary Combined University and College Salary: 42,883-57,581 pa + up to 7,534 pa taxable and pensionable college housing allowance Overview of the post Microbial biochemistry has a long and distinguished track record in the Biochemistry Department. We wish to develop new areas of bacterial research in the department focused on molecular mechanisms. We therefore wish to appoint a University Lecturer with skills in the biophysical, biochemical and/or structural understanding of bacterial systems. Possible specialist areas of research include the bacterial cell envelope, intra- and inter-cellular signalling, pathogenicity mechanisms and biofilm formation. The new appointment would complement on-going biochemical and biophysical research on microbes and related systems in the Department. This new development will also enable us to provide new cutting-edge undergraduate teaching and graduate supervision in the area of microbial biochemistry. Building upon Oxford s strong history in microbial biochemistry we are building a new strategic vision which combines this area with biophysical and structural studies within the Department. The Department has identified microbial biochemistry/biophysics as a major research theme. Developments in this area build upon research successes from the Oxford Centre for Integrated Systems Biology (Armitage, Wadhams) and from the research groups of Sherratt, Ferguson, and Berks groups. The appointment of Prof. Kleanthous to the Iveagh Chair is providing new leadership in this important area of research. Queries about the post should be addressed to Professor Mark Sansom, David Phillips Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Head of Department at head@bioch.ox.ac.uk or telephone: +44 (0)

2 All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence; they will not form part of the selection decision. The University of Oxford is a member of the Athena SWAN Charter to promote women in Science, Engineering, Technology and Medicine. The University holds an Athena SWAN bronze award at institutional level. Contact equality@admin.ox.ac.uk for further information about Athena SWAN at the University of Oxford. Duties of the post The University Lecturer in Biochemistry: Microbial Biochemistry and/or Biophysics will be a member of both the University and the College community. He or she will be part of a lively and intellectually stimulating research community which performs to the highest international levels in research and publications and will have access to the excellent research facilities which Oxford offers. He or she will have a role to play in the running of the College as a member and trustee of its Governing Body. The main duties of the post are to carry out research, teaching and administration duties under the direction of the Head of Department, as defined below. Research: The lecturer will be expected to conduct an independent research programme in microbial biochemistry and/or biophysics. The main criterion for appointment will be the strength and promise of the candidate s research programme. The expectation is that he/she will be able to attract external research grant funding for their research. Collaborative activities with other members of the Department are expected to develop. Teaching: At Oxford there is a strong emphasis on tutorial teaching to small groups of students, organized, as specified, in the accompanying documents from Oriel College. The department contributes to teaching in courses for Honours degree students in Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, and Biology and the post-holder will be expected to contribute their area of expertise to these courses. This may include supervision of students for undergraduate research projects. The training of graduate students is also an important aspect of departmental activities and the lecturer will be expected to supervise and train graduate students in research. The lecturer will be required to take part in examining undergraduates throughout their courses. Administration: The lecturer will be expected to share in some of the administrative duties of the department, under the direction of the head of department as described under Organization. 2

3 DUTIES DURING THE INITIAL 5-YEAR PERIOD OF THE APPOINTMENT It is the policy of the Division and the Colleges to arrange duties in the first 5 years to give time for University Lecturers to build up their research programme. Such arrangements will include relief from some administrative duties and a reduced load of teaching duties in the Department during the first years of the appointment. Biochemistry at Oriel Oriel College has an enthusiastic Biochemistry group of 16 undergraduates, and several graduate students reading for biochemistry-related degrees in the Department of Biochemistry and in other departments including clinical departments. The College is committed to the development of subject families which bring together academic staff, graduates and undergraduates, and biomedical sciences is one of the strongest of these families in Oriel. Presently, the Tutorial Fellows are Dr Lynne Cox and Dr Max Crispin. He or she will be a member of the Governing Body of Oriel and will be expected to attend Governing Body and tutorial meetings, and to participate in the administration of the College. In addition to the salary given in the Standard Terms and Conditions in the next section, you are entitled to the following: A housing allowance 7,534 (subject to review) per annum; the College is in principle prepared to enter into a shared equity scheme to assist with house purchase in Oxford. This can be discussed further with the Treasurer. Alternatively, a living-in Fellow would be entitled to rooms in College free of charge. Membership of USS (contributory) A research and book allocation, currently 1,486 per annum Assistance with the entertainment of students Common table, that is lunch and dinner at the College s expense throughout the year Membership of a medical insurance scheme (at your own expense) You will also be eligible to apply for sabbatical leave. In general, one term of sabbatical leave is available for each six terms of qualifying service. The College abides by the University s generous maternity leave arrangements. For further information, please see the University website The election to the Fellowship will be subject to confirmation at the end of the fifth year, conditional upon a satisfactory report on the performance of the specified duties. Contractual Duties The Fellow appointed will be required to give tutorials to undergraduates pursuing the Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry undergraduate course, for an average of 6 hours per week during term time for the College. The postholder will also become the College s Director of Studies for Biochemistry and, as such, will be expected to take overall responsibility for the academic progress of students reading Biochemistry at Oriel College; and to administer other matters relating to students as and when 3

4 required. The appointee will also take overall responsibility for the organization of teaching and coordinate undergraduate admissions procedures for Biochemistry within the College. Support with these responsibilities will be given by Dr Lynne Cox, Tutorial Fellow (part-time) in Biochemistry. All Tutorial Fellows participate in undergraduate admissions, and the College is committed to selecting the best applicants, based on academic achievement and potential, irrespective of educational background, gender or ethnicity. In support of this the College seeks to provide the widest access possible, and the Fellow will be expected to contribute to this through the College s programme of Open Days, school visits, school-teachers conferences and other outreach activities. The appointee will be required: (1) To act as a College Tutor in Biochemistry with a stint of six hours: (a) To undertake an average of six hours of teaching per week to Oriel undergraduates in tutorials or small classes, during the three eight-week terms of the academic year. The College uses the system of weighted hours to calculate teaching stints. (b) (c) (d) To set and mark Collections (beginning of term internal College exams) as required, and to write end of term Tutorial Reports for the students you are teaching. To liaise with other College staff about addressing any pastoral problems which may arise amongst your students. To meet/contact your undergraduates in 0th week at the start of each term (ie the week preceding term) to confirm arrangements for the term s work). (2) To act as the College s Main Organising Tutor for Biochemistry: (a) To have overall responsibility for the teaching arrangements for all undergraduates studying Biochemistry at Oriel College. (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) To liaise as required with other tutors, and also the Senior Tutor, as regards the teaching arrangements for students reading Biochemistry and joint courses including Biochemistry. To organise the setting and marking of collections (beginning of term examinations) for undergraduates studying Biochemistry. To administer other academic matters relating to students reading Biochemistry and joint courses including Biochemistry, as required. To provide information as necessary on students reading Biochemistry and joint courses including Biochemistry to the relevant Director of Studies and/or the Senior Tutor, for report/discussion at meetings of the College s Tutorial Committee. To liaise with other College staff about addressing any pastoral problems which may arise amongst students reading Biochemistry and joint courses including Biochemistry. To co-ordinate the undergraduate selection procedures for Biochemistry within the College, and to conduct admissions interviews. (3) To act as the College s Director of Studies for Biochemistry: (a) To oversee the academic progress of and teaching arrangements for undergraduates studying Biochemistry. 4

5 (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) To liaise as required with other tutors, and also the Senior Tutor, as regards the academic progress of students reading Biochemistry. To administer other academic matters relating to students reading Biochemistry, as required. To hold end of term meetings with undergraduates reading Biochemistry in order to discuss their academic progress, and to review their Tutorial Reports. To provide information as necessary on students reading Biochemistry for report/discussion at meetings of the College s Tutorial Committee. To liaise with other College staff about addressing any pastoral problems which may arise amongst students reading Biochemistry. (4) To engage in advanced study or research (5) To participate in College Open Days and other schools liaison activities in your subject area. (6) To select appropriate books for the College s well-supplied library (7) If elected, to act as a member of the Governing Body of Oriel College, to attend Governing Body and Tutorial Committee meetings (normally three each, each term), and to take an appropriate share in the administrative work of the College. (8) To act as College Adviser to Postgraduate students reading for higher degrees in Biochemistry and related areas at Oriel College. Teaching Needs The College s teaching needs are currently in the following areas: molecular immunology, biophysics, data handling and interpretation, enzymology, virology, and the biochemistry of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Full details of the four-year course in Biochemistry can be found at the Department of Biochemistry s website: Person Specification Applications will be judged only against the criteria which are set out below. Applicants should make sure that their application shows very clearly how they believe that their skills and experience meet these criteria. Oxford is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions. Chairs of selection committees will be aware of the principles of equality of opportunity and fair selection and there will be a member of each gender wherever possible. The successful candidate will demonstrate the following. Essential a higher degree in basic science and/or a medical qualification; an ability to contribute to the teaching and training of Biochemistry, pre-clinical, and graduate students, and a strong and demonstrable commitment to the organisation and delivery of teaching; 5

6 a strong track record of research in microbial biochemistry and/or biophysics current research funding, or a research track record likely to attract research funding; evidence of a developing track record of research and publications in microbial biochemistry and/or biophysics; an ability to manage and develop a strong research programme; proven communication and interpersonal skills. Desirable a track record of success in the award of peer-reviewed research grants; an ability to collaborate in research; experience of teaching; management experience. How to apply There is no application form. Applications must include: your full contact details including and full postal addresses, and a telephone number a covering letter or statement explaining how you meet the criteria set out above a full CV and publications list an indication of where you first heard about this post the names and contact details (postal and addresses and telephone number) of three referees. You should contact all three of your referees before applying, to ensure they are aware of your application and of the requirements for the post, and to ensure that they would be content to write a reference for you for this post, if they were asked to do so. The University will assume that it is free to approach your referees at any stage unless your application specifies otherwise. Therefore if you would prefer a referee or referees to be approached only with your specific permission or if you would prefer them to be approached only if you are being called for interview on the final short list, then you must state this in your application, alongside the details of the relevant referee(s). You should provide the names and full contact details of three referees even if you do not wish them to be contacted yet. Applications should be sent by to academicrecruitment@bioch.ox.ac.uk The deadline for applications is 12 noon (GMT) on Thursday 14 February Should you have any queries about how to apply, please contact academicrecruitment@bioch.ox.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)

7 All applications will be acknowledged after receipt and will be considered by the selection committee as soon as possible after the closing date. All shortlisted candidates will be interviewed and will be asked to give a short presentation to the committee as part of the interview. Applications for this post will be considered by a selection committee containing representatives from both the Department of Biochemistry and Oriel College. The selection committee is responsible for conducting all aspects of the recruitment and selection process; it does not, however, have the authority to make the final decision as to who should be appointed. The final decision will be made by the Medical Sciences divisional board and the governing body of Oriel College on the basis of a recommendation made by the selection committee. No offer of appointment will be valid, therefore, until and unless the recommendation has been approved by both the divisional board and the governing body, and a formal contractual offer has been made. Interview Arrangements Those applicants who are shortlisted will be asked to give a 30 minute seminar on an aspect of their current research and future plans (the first 10 minutes of this talk should be aimed at undergraduate level), which will be open to all members of the Department of Biochemistry and Oriel College. Following this, there will be a panel interview covering a broad range of issues, during which applicants will be asked to spend five minutes giving a teaching presentation on a topic in Biochemistry (Microbial Biochemistry and/or Biophysics). All reasonable interview expenses will be reimbursed. As a courtesy, candidates will be offered an opportunity to visit Oriel College, and this does not form any part of the selection process. The College will provide accommodation if candidates wish to stay overnight. The short listing meeting for this post will be held on 25 February Interviews will be held on 4 March Candidates short listed for interview will be contacted by phone or immediately after the short listing meeting. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU GIVE A TELEPHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS AT WHICH YOU CAN BE CONTACTED ON THAT DAY IN YOUR APPLICATION. 7

8 Essential Information for Applicants for the University Lectureship in Biochemistry: Microbial Biochemistry and/or Biophysics The University The University of Oxford aims to sustain excellence in every area of its teaching and research, and to maintain and develop its position as a leader amongst world-class universities. Placing an equally high value on research and on teaching, the colleges, departments and faculties of Oxford aspire both to lead the international research agenda and to offer a unique and exceptional education to our undergraduate and graduate students. Oxford s self-governing community of scholars includes university professors, readers, and lecturers, college tutors, senior and junior research fellows and over 2,500 other university research staff. The University aims to provide facilities and support for colleagues to pursue innovative research and outstanding teaching, by responding to developments in the intellectual environment and society at large, and by forging close links with the wider academic world, the professions, industry and commerce. The Strategic Plan, detailing strategy for the period , can be found at Research at Oxford combines disciplinary depth with an increasing focus on inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary activities addressing a rich and diverse range of issues, from deciphering ancient texts and inscriptions using modern scientific and computational methods developed in Oxford, through to global health, climate change, ageing, energy and the effects on our world of rapid technological change. Oxford seeks to admit undergraduate students with the intellectual potential to benefit fully from the college tutorial system and small group learning to which Oxford is deeply committed. Meeting in small groups with their tutor, undergraduates are exposed to rigorous scholarly challenge and learn to develop their critical thinking, their ability to articulate their views with clarity, and their personal and intellectual confidence. They receive a high level of personal attention from leading academics. Oxford has a strong postgraduate student body which now numbers about 7,000, well over a third of the full-time students. Postgraduates are attracted to Oxford by the international standing of the faculty, by the rigorous intellectual training on offer, by the excellent research and laboratory facilities available, and by the resources of the museums and libraries, including one of the world s greatest libraries, the Bodleian. For more information please visit 8

9 The Medical Sciences Division The Medical Sciences Division is an internationally recognized centre of excellence for biomedical and clinical research and teaching. We are the largest academic division in the University of Oxford. World-leading programmes, housed in state-of-the-art facilities, cover the full range of scientific endeavour from the molecule to the population. With our NHS partners we also foster the highest possible standards in patient care. For more information please visit: The Department of Biochemistry The Department of Biochemistry in Oxford is a coherent community of scientists with a mission to teach and conduct world-class research on the molecular basis of life. The Department was established in 1920 and is now one of the largest in Europe. Situated in an attractive area close to the University Parks and River Cherwell, the Department is housed in the University Science Area. A major expansion programme, to replace existing parts of the Department, was completed in October 2008, with the construction of the 57 million new Biochemistry building. This building has since won a major RIBA award. The Science Area is centrally located for easy access to the town centre and colleges. The department maintains a wide range of research activity, including: Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics; Chromosomal and RNA Biology; Cell Biology, Development & Genetics; Microbiology & Systems Biology; Glycobiology and Infectious Disease. It is well equipped with an excellent range of state-of-the-art specialist equipment (described below). The department has approximately 40 group leaders, more than 150 postdoctoral workers and over 140 graduate research students. The current Head of Department is Professor Mark Sansom. Oxford s was the highest ranked biochemistry department to be individually rated in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, with 75% of the returned researchers classified as world-leaders in their field. Details of the various research interests can be found on the departmental website In addition to the microbial research within the department of Biochemistry, Oxford has many groups working in areas such as bacterial population dynamics, host-pathogen interactions, antibiotic discovery, clinical epidemiology and medical microbiology, making Oxford one of the largest centres for microbial research in Europe. Teaching Members of the Biochemistry Department run a 4-year Final Honours School in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, and also contribute to pre-clinical teaching for students in Medicine, Physiological Sciences and Biological Sciences. The Department was given 24/24 in the last QAA assessment. Teaching involves lecturing and giving seminars and tutorials in colleges. Further information on teaching in the Biochemistry Department is available on: Organisation The Head of Department is assisted by the five Heads of Laboratories, by an Administration team, and by committees dealing with issues of strategy, safety, teaching, graduate studies, and computing. Group leaders are budget-holders, supplied with monthly cash flow statements detailing income and expenditure. 9

10 Premises and Facilities As mentioned above, the Department is largely based in the new Biochemistry building. The Department is especially well suited for biochemistry and biophysics research, both in house and the Diamond synchrotron nearby. There are powerful computing facilities (a 1500 cpu cluster) and a wide range of underpinning technologies, including: (1) state-of the-art solid state and solution state nuclear magnetic resonance facilities; (2) crystallization and X-ray facilities; and (4) a molecular biophysics suite that includes facilities for kinetic (SPR, stopped-flow), spectroscopic (fluorescence, CD), thermodynamic (ITC, DSC) and chromatographic (SEC-MALS) analysis of proteins and their complexes. The Department also hosts the MICRON advanced bioimaging unit ( which has a range of super-resolution, wide-field and confocal systems. Oriel College There are 38 self-governing and independent colleges at Oxford, giving both academic staff and students the benefits of belonging to a small, interdisciplinary community as well as to a large, internationally-renowned institution. Oriel is a friendly and attractive College in the centre of Oxford. Founded in 1326 by King Edward II, it is the fifth oldest of Oxford s Colleges. The student body is made up of approximately 300 undergraduates studying a wide variety of courses in arts and sciences and of approximately 200 postgraduate or research students working towards Masters degrees or Doctorates in a broad range of subjects. They come from all kinds of schools, backgrounds and countries. All candidates for admission are considered on the basis of their own individual merits and potential. Further information on Oriel College can be found on their website: Standard Terms and Conditions Salary, benefits and pension The successful candidate will be appointed on the Oxford scale for university lecturers, ( 35,966-48,293 per annum). Lecturers appointed below the top of this range will receive annual increments until they reach the top point. There is also an annual cost-of-living review. Departments may also, in wholly exceptional cases, propose the awarding within the substantive scale of additional increments to lecturers at any time during their appointment. Additional remuneration is currently paid to those undertaking examining and graduate supervision. Additional payments are also available for some tutorial teaching. Those holding administrative appointments within the department may be eligible for additional payments. The combined college and university salary will be on a scale up to 57,581 per annum. Eligible staff may join the Universities Superannuation Scheme. Details are available on the website at Length of appointment Upon completion of an initial period of appointment (which is normally five years), a university lecturer is eligible for reappointment until retirement, subject to the provisions of the Statutes and Regulations of the University. Evidence of lecturing competence and of substantial progress in research are prerequisites for reappointment to retirement. 10

11 For all academic and academic-related staff the University has adopted a retirement age of 30 September before the 68th birthday. There is a procedure for requesting an extension of employment beyond that date. Sabbatical leave and outside commitments All lecturers may apply for sabbatical leave to allow them to focus on their research. In general, one term of leave is available for each six terms worked. This leave may either be taken as one term of leave after 6 terms of service, or accumulated and taken as one year of leave after 6 years of service. Lecturers may also spend up to 30 working days in each year on projects outside their employment duties, such as consultancy, spin-out activity and membership of research councils and other bodies. There is no limit to the amount of money which staff may earn from these activities. Full details are available on the university website at Guidance on ownership of intellectual property ( and managing conflicts of interest ( is also available on the university website. Relocation expenses Subject to HMRC regulations and the availability of funding, a relocation allowance may be available. Further details are available on the website at Family support The University has generous maternity and adoption leave arrangements, and also offers support leave to fathers and partners. Additional paternity leave of up to 26 weeks (for children born or placed for adoption after 3 April 2011) is available where parents decide to share the 52 week maternity leave entitlement. Details are available on the website at All staff are eligible to apply to use the University nurseries (although there is a long waiting list for nursery places), and the full range of tax and National Insurance savings scheme is in operation. Details are available on the University s childcare website at The University will try to accommodate flexible working patterns as far as possible and there is considerable flexibility in the organisation of duties. More information on family support and flexible working policies is available on the website at Facilities and services The University has a range of facilities and benefits for its staff; more details are available on the website at The University Disability Office provides support to staff and students with a disability and may be contacted through its website at Equality of opportunity The policy and practice of the University of Oxford require that all staff are offered equal opportunities within employment. Entry into employment with the University and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are 11

12 related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Medical questionnaire and the right to work in the UK The appointment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire and the provision of proof of the right to work in the UK. Applicants who would need a work visa if appointed to the post are asked to note that under the UK s points-based migration system they will need to demonstrate that they have sufficient points, and in particular that: (i) they have sufficient English language skills (evidenced by having passed a test in English, or coming from a majority English-speaking country, or having taken a degree taught in English) and (ii) that they have sufficient funds to maintain themselves and any dependents until they receive their first salary payment. Further information is available at: Special arrangements Oxford welcomes applications from candidates who have a disability. These documents will be made available in large print, audio or other formats on request. Applicants invited for interview will be asked whether they require any particular arrangements to make the interview more convenient and effective for them. Data Protection All data supplied by candidates will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post 1 and will be held in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the University s Data Protection Policy (available on the website at 1 But NB if the person appointed to the post is a migrant sponsored under the UK s points-based migration system, we are required to retain the applications of all shortlisted candidates for one year or until a UK Border Agency compliance officer has examined and approved them, whichever is the longer period. 12