Job Description and Person
Specification
Last updated:
<date>
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Research Fellow
Academic Unit/Service:
Human Development and Health
Faculty:
Medicine
Career Pathway:
Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE)
*ERE category:
Research Pathway
Posts responsible to:
Professor of Genomics
Posts responsible for:
Junior members of staff and postgraduate students
Post base:
Office-based
Level:
4
Job purpose
This position will support research into medical genomics and will specifically underpin the
strategic relationship formed to advance the Wessex Genomics Hub (UoS, UHS and SDH).
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
Investigate aspects of genomics variation with regards to clinical characteristics
25 %
2.
Manage large scale NGS datasets including assessment of quality and platform evaluation.
20 %
3.
Develop and validate novel methods for medical genomics
10 %
4.
Prepare drafts of manuscripts for publication and reports for multidisciplinary meetings.
Present work at local, national and international meetings
20 %
5.
Contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate education
20%
6.
Communicate with collaborators effectively
5%
Internal and external relationships



Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine Group, HDH Academic Unit
Wessex Genomics Hub (WISH Lab)
Wessex GMC and local GeCIPS
Special Requirements

Excellent programming and data analysis skills are essential, as is experience of working
with large-scale NGS data in a clinical setting.

Applications 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 completion of PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior
Research Assistant will be given.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications,
knowledge and
experience
PhD in a relevant subject (e.g.
Genomics, Bioinformatics) or
equivalent professional
qualifications and experience
Success in attracting external
funding
How to be
assessed
Application/CV
Firm grounding in statistical
methods.
Strong track record in preparing
publications and other written
materials.
Previous experience in working with
large scale (empirical and/or
simulated) datasets.
Experience in working with human
genome sequence data.
Experience analysing exome and
targeted NGS data.
Experience of development NGS
bioinformatics analytical pipelines.
Experience of interrogation and
interpretation of data in the context
of medical genetics.
Excellent scripting/programme skills
(R, Perl, C, C++).
Knowledge of annotation, assembly
and mapping tools
Familiarity with online human gene
resources and databases
Planning and
organising
Effective time management and
project planning/scheduling skills
Appreciation of QA issues in
diagnostics
Attention to detail and ability to
work to tight timelines
Demonstrable project management
and organisational skills
Excellent report writing skills
Scrupulous attention to detail and
data quality issues
Problem solving
and initiative
Ability to use own initiative and
solve analytical problems
Ability to interpret results given
biological hypotheses
Ability to generate independent
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
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ideas and directions of new research
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
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Management
and teamwork
Able to work as an efficient and
communicative member of the team
and be expected to share expertise
with other group members
Experience in supervising and
guiding junior research staff
Capacity to contribute to internal
training and teaching as required
Experience working within a diverse
interdisciplinary team
Communicating
and influencing
Ability to communicate effectively
with collaborators both internally
and externally
Able to foster excellent working
relationships with colleagues
Excellent communication skills, both
written and oral
Other skills and
behaviours
A desire to achieve excellence in
research
Special
requirements
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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
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
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