Job description & person
specification
Last updated:
11/01/2016
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Research Fellow in Pulmonary Immunology
Academic Unit/Service:
Clinical & Experimental Sciences
Faculty:
Medicine
Career pathway:
Education, Research & Enterprise (ERE)
*ERE category:
Research focused
Posts responsible to:
Lecturer in Translational Medicine (Level 5)
Posts responsible for:
Technical Assistants + PGR/Medical Students (if applicable)
Post base:
Office-based/Non Office-based (see job hazard analysis)
Level:
4
Job purpose
To undertake research investigating aberrant anti-viral responses in the COPD airway and disseminate
findings by publication in scientific journals and by presentation at conferences.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
To develop a plan to open up an area of personal research and expertise
10%
2.
To undertake research in accordance with the project and plan and as a research team
member and analyse the resulting data, interpreting findings and bringing new insights.
This will involve developing independent, original contributions to the field using
appropriate techniques (e.g. application of in vitro/ex vivo models with relevant tissues
and cells, RNASeq analysis, flow cytometry and modulation of cell function by siRNA).
50%
3.
Write up and disseminate research findings by publication in leading journals and
presentation at national and international conferences
10%
4.
To provide guidance to other staff and students, collaborate on original research will
colleagues in the Academic Unit and other institutions, and, if appropriate, supervise the
work of more junior research staff.
10%
5.
Carry out administrative tasks associated with specified research funding, for example
risk assessment of research activities, organisation of project meetings and
documentation. Implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely
formal reporting and financial control.
10%
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
6.
10%
Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post
holder.
Internal and external relationships
Direct responsibility to the holder of research award or academic supervisor. The study will involve close
collaboration between basic scientists and clinicians. The person appointed will need to interact closely with
others in the research group and with external collaborators to ensure good progress and high quality
results.
Special Requirements
To attend national and international conferences for the purpose of disseminating research results.
Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or
nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon
successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research
Assistant will be given.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications,
knowledge &
experience
PhD or equivalent professional
qualifications and experience in cell
biology
PhD in Immunology or experience
in human immunology
Experience in cell culture & function
Research experience in
respiratory/infectious disease
Significant experience in cellular and
molecular biology techniques (Flow
cytometry, Western blotting, cell
transfection etc)
Experience of working with
primary human cell culture,
functional assays and ex vivo
models
Understanding of respiratory disease
mechanisms
Knowledge of biomedical statistics
and common statistical software
How to be
assessed
CV/Interview
An up-to-date knowledge of the latest
developments in cellular immunology
Planning &
organising
Able to organise own research
activities to deadline and quality
standards
Experience of independent
working and project planning
CV/Interview
Ability to plan experiments required
for the research project to progress
successfully
Problem solving
& initiative
Able to develop understanding of
complex problems and apply in-depth
knowledge to address them
CV/Interview
Able to develop original
techniques/methods
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Management &
teamwork
Able to supervise work of junior
research staff, delegating effectively
CV/Interview
Able to contribute to Academic Unit
management and administrative
processes
Work effectively in a team,
understanding the strengths and
weaknesses of others to help
teamwork development
Communicating
& influencing
Communicate new and complex
information effectively, both verbally
and in writing, engaging the interest
and enthusiasm of the target
audience
Able to present research results at
group meetings and conferences
Experience of conference
presentations
CV/Interview
Experience of authorship of
journal publications
Able to write up research results for
publication in leading peer-viewed
journals
Work proactively with colleagues in
other work areas/institutions,
contributing specialist knowledge to
achieve outcomes
Other skills &
behaviours
Understanding of relevant Health &
Safety issues
Experience of working under Good CV/Interview
Clinical Practice guidelines
Positive attitude to colleagues and
students
Special
requirements
Able to attend national and
international conferences to present
research results
CV/Interview
Able to travel to external collaborator
sites
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JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☐ Yes
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further
information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☒ No
If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of
VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety
of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required
for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
N/A
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
X
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
X
N/A
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:
X
Frequent hand washing
X
Ionising radiation
X
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
N/A
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
X
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
X
N/A
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
N/A
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
N/A
Repetitive pulling/pushing
N/A
Repetitive lifting
N/A
Standing for prolonged periods
X
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
X
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
X
Gross motor grips
N/A
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
N/A
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
X
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
X
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
X
Lone working
X
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
N/A
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