Research Fellow in Neuroscience and Mental Health

Research Fellow
Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
Cardiff University School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

The Hodge Centre for Neuropsychiatric Immunology brings together expert researchers in Neuroscience and Immunology to focus on the Immune processes underpinning mental health disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, depression and closely related conditions.   This virtual centre is a partnership between two of the University's flagship Institutes, the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute (NMHRI; http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/neuroscience-mental-health) and Systems Immunity University Research Institute (SIURI; http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/systems-immunity).
The Hodge Centre for Neuropsychiatric Immunology is seeking to recruit a dynamic early career scientist looking for the next step in their academic journey to join the Centre as a Research Fellow to develop a programme of research relevant to the aims of the Centre.  The post holder will have an interest in neuroinflammation and research experience in Neuroscience and/or Immunology, together with the ambition to establish their future research in the area of Neuropsychiatric immunology.  This exciting opportunity will enable the post-holder to work across the partner Research Institutes and develop their own programme of collaborative research that will facilitate our understanding of the brain's immune responses in the development of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Schizophrenia and Epilepsy, thus helping to establish the causes and identify possible avenues for therapeutic intervention. 
The post holder will be capable of securing independent funding and will be willing to take the initiative and lead a new program of research.  Excellent oral and written communication skills are required in order to liaise effectively with team members and key stakeholders, both internally and externally.
The post holder will be based in the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute and/or the Dementia Research Institute within the Hadyn Ellis Building and will be affiliated to both the NMHRI and SIURI.
This full-time post (35 hours per week) is available from 1st October 2018 and is fixed-term for 3 years.
Salary: £41,212 - £47,722 per annum (Grade 7)

For further information, please contact Professor Jeremy Hall (Hallj10@cardiff.ac.uk) or Professor Paul Morgan (morganbp@cardiff.ac.uk ).

 

Job Description

Main Function

To contribute to the research within the Hodge Centre for Neuropsychiatric Immunology, leading and developing research projects and teaching within the field of Neuropsychiatric immunology with a view to understanding the brain's immune processes in mental disorders.  To publish work in high-quality journals and to pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.
 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

• To independently develop research objectives within the field of Neuropsychiatric Immunology, projects or proposals for own or joint research including research funding acting as a PI as required.
• 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 publications, research seminars, meetings and conferences.
  
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,  explore future collaborative 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 to students in own specialist area, including supervising and assessing undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
  
• To participate in the work of the Hodge Centre for Neuropsychiatric Immunology, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute (NMHRI) & Systems Immunity University Research Institute (SIURI).
  

 

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 Hodge Centre, NMHRI and SIURI, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the Centre, URIs and School through enhancement of regional and national profile.
  
• To participate in the Hodge Centre for Neuropsychiatric Immunology management and administration and activities to promote the Centre and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
  
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
  

 

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

• Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within one or several of the following research fields that link to the study of neuroscience and immunology  in mental health research:
  • Neuroinflammation
  • Neuroimmunology
  • Stem Cell Neurobiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Innate and acquired immunity
  • Molecular and Translational Neuroscience
  • Clinical and Pre-clinical Neuroimaging
• Growing national reputation within academic field.
• Proven record of publications in high-impact national journals.
• Proven ability to win competitive research funding and/or Fellowship support. along with a strong portfolio of research grants
  

 

Communication and Team Working

• Proven capacity for effective and persuasive communication.
• Proven ability to work within, and where appropriate lead and develop a research team.
• Proven ability to supervise and effectively train PhD students.
  

 

Other

• Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
  

 

Desirable Criteria

• Relevant professional qualifications.
• Evidence of collaborations with industry.
• Willingness to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
• Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance research activities.