Research Fellow

To be an active member of the research project/team assisting in the development of research proposals and planning and delivery of the research activity within the area of identification of novel bioactive compounds from natural sources.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Develop and plan an area of personal research and expertise, and/or undertake research under supervision within a specific research project or as a member of a research team.
• Design, develop and refine experimental apparatus, field research or experiments in order to obtain reliable data.
• Carry out analyses, critical evaluations, and interpretations using methodologies and other techniques appropriate to area of research.
• Present regular progress reports on research to members of the research group or to external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.
• Prepare, often in consultation with supervisor, material for publication in national and international journals and presentations at international conferences.
• Assist grant holder in the preparation of funding proposals and applications to external bodies.
• Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with the research project/s to ensure that project/s are completed on time and within budget. These might include organisation of project meetings and documentation, financial control, risk assessment of research activities.
• Carry out occasional undergraduate supervision, demonstrating or lecturing duties within the post holder’s area of expertise and under the direct guidance of a member of academic staff.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks to keep abreast of developments in own specialism and related disciplines. Planning and Organising: Plan for specific aspects of research programmes.
• Timescales range from 1-6 months in advance and contribute to research group planning.
• Plan for the use of research resources, laboratories and workshops where appropriate.
• Plan own day-to day activity within framework of the agreed research programme.
• Plan up to a year in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.
• Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress.

Resource Management Responsibilities:

• Ensure research resources are used in an effective and efficient manner. Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research.
• Be prepared to assist, interact and supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research project students.

Internal and External Relationships:

• Liaise on a regular basis with colleagues and students.
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
• Join external networks to share information and ideas.
• Contribute to the School’s outreach programme by establishing links with local community groups, industries etc.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Have or be about to obtain a relevant PhD in analytical chemistry or natural product research.
• At least 3 years’ relevant experience working in research involving the extraction, fractionation and isolation of bioactive compounds from natural sources.
• Experience in the establishment, optimisation and performing of bioactivity screening assays.
• A publication record commensurate with stage of career in analytical chemistry or natural product research.
• Experience of organising research meetings and writing research reports.
• Ability to contribute to broader management and administrative processes.
• Contribute to the School’s outreach programme by links with industry, community groups etc.
• Sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.

• Ability to build contacts and participate in internal and external networks.
• Demonstrable intellectual ability.
• Ability to assess and organise resources.
• Ability and willingness to travel to Turkey for project meetings.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• A degree in chemistry or biological science.
• Hands-on laboratory experience in the use of separation techniques (e.g. HPLC) and chemical identification techniques (e.g. LC-MS or NMR).
• Experience in the use/development of anti-microbial assays.