THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Research Associate/Research Fellow
School/Department:
School of Life Sciences
Salary:
£25,513 to £31,342 (minimum with PhD £28,695) per
annum depending on skills and experience. Salary
progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.
Job Family and Level:
Research and Teaching Level
Contract Status:
Fixed Term
Hours of Work:
Full-time
Location:
School of Life Sciences, Medical School
Reporting to:
Dr Bill Wickstead
Purpose of the Role:
To perform original primary research and disseminate findings for a research project entitled
“Ancestral gene repertoires at the dawn and diversification of the eukaryotes”. This project will
use the availability of recent complete genome sequences to reconstruct the protein repertoire
encoded in the last common eukaryotic ancestor to understand the biology of this ancient cell
and identify how this repertoire was augmented, reduced or modified during the diversification
into the main eukaryotic lineages. The person appointed will be expected to plan, conduct and
analyse research in this area and will be responsible for writing up work for publication and
presentation at scientific meetings.
This work is funded by the Leverhulme Trust as part of a collaborative project between two
groups with a proven track record in evolutionary cell biology. The appointee will join the
research group of Dr Bill Wickstead in the School of Life Sciences at the University of
Nottingham, but will also be required to work in collaboration with a post-doctoral researcher
in the group of Dr Tom Richards at the University of Exeter.
Candidates must hold, or be near to completion of, a PhD or equivalent in comparative
genomics, evolutionary biology or another area of biology with a strong computational or
bioinformatic component. It is essential that they can demonstrate outstanding skills in
analysis of genomic data, but also have an excellent understanding of cell biology. Applications
from strong candidates with a track-record including publications in either or both of these
areas are particularly encouraged.
Main Responsibilities
1.
To plan and conduct primary research towards the goals of the project.
2.
To analyse data, interpret reports, and evaluate and criticise texts to bring new
insights to research area.
3.
To contribute to the dissemination of result outputs through publications and at
scientific conferences.
4.
To collaborate closely with the team at the University of Exeter and ensure the coordination of work and sharing of data generated.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications/
Education
PhD (or equivalent) in relevant
research area.
OR near to completion of such PhD
Skills/Training
Demonstrable strong skills in
research of a computational,
comparative genomics or
bioinformatics area.
Desirable
Existing skills in programming.
Publications in a related area of
research.
High analytical ability to illuminate
data, interprets reports, evaluate and
criticise texts and bring new insights
to research.
Demonstrable understanding of both
genomic data and cell biology.
Good oral and written communication
skills, including the ability to
communicate with clarity on complex
information.
Ability to collaborate with others,
both internally and externally.
Experience
Some practical experience of applying
the specialist skills and approaches
and techniques required for the role.
Experience of developing new
approaches, models, techniques
or methods in the research area.
Statutory/Legal
Decision Making
i) Taken independently by the role holder;
 Design and conduct of research towards the project goals.
 Critical analysis of primary data.
 Time management and planning of day-to-day activities to fit the requirements of the
project.
ii) Taken in collaboration with others;
 Co-ordination of research with that performed at University of Exeter.
 Sharing and integration of data.
 Strategic planning of research direction.
iii) Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder

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