About
The
Job.
Department of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
Faculty of Science
Chair
About
The
Job.
Pursue the extraordinary
Overview
About the Department
The University of Sheffield is an internationally leading centre of excellence in biology, with
world-class research facilities. Biology research at Sheffield was ranked joint 3rd in the UK in
the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise and the University of Sheffield 66th and 101st in the
world (QS World University Rankings 2012 and THE World University rankings 2012-13). We
also have an outstanding reputation for the quality and breadth of expertise in biological
teaching and are ranked 4th in the UK (Complete University Guide, 2012).
In recent years the barriers to data production in diagnostic and basic molecular biosciences
have come down in a wide variety of disciplines resulting in explosion of data from
processes such as imaging and sequencing. In Sheffield our basic molecular biologists and
the NHS diagnostic services seek to increase our capacity for research and diagnostics in
disciplines that depend on high throughput data analysis. Between 5 departments, we are
creating a new cross disciplinary Bioinformatics Hub that will become the bedrock of
research and high throughput data processing for molecular biology in the University and
NHS Trusts.
Further information about the new Bioinformatics Centre and associated departments at
the University of Sheffield please see: http://www.shef.ac.uk/faculty/science/bioinformatics
Job Role
The University of Sheffield is making a strong commitment to the future development of the
Department of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology with a number of strategic
appointments. As part of this investment we wish to recruit an exceptional scholar to a Chair
in any part of the discipline. The successful candidate will have an outstanding research
track record at an international level and proven ability to provide research leadership. You
will also contribute to core and specialist undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in the
Department, and to the supervision of research students.
You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’.
These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly
pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s
achievements as a whole. Further information on the underpinning values of the Sheffield
Academic can be found at:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/hr/sheffieldacademic
Job Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities

Contribute fully as researcher, teacher and leader, in fulfillment of the ideals of ‘The
Sheffield Academic’ (http://www.shef.ac.uk/hr/sheffieldacademic/statement.html).

Lead collaborative and/or research group activity within the Department and establish
productive research links and collaborations within the wider University and beyond.

Establish, lead and sustain a world-class research programme.

Personally conduct and publish internationally-recognised, innovative research and
scholarship, and generate research income from external funders.

Develop funding strategies, student recruitment, including preparation and submission
of research proposals to appropriate funding bodies in order to generate income (and
manage external research grants).

Disseminate research findings through internationally recognised peer reviewed
conference and publications outputs.

Encourage and mentor research activities of other staff.

Undertake knowledge-transfer activities and collaborative research and consultancy
projects.

Manage, supervise and support research students.

Design and deliver high-quality, research-led teaching for compulsory and elective
modules across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including:
identifying learning objectives, determining appropriate curricula, selecting teaching
methods and resources, preparing teaching material, communicating subject-matter,
encouraging and supporting student inquiry.

Contribute to teaching policy and the implementation of new pedagogical/innovative
approaches to teaching.

Conduct assessment of undergraduate and postgraduate student work, including:
design of assessment approaches and criteria, provision of formative and summative
feedback (oral/written), marking of coursework and examinations to agreed deadlines.

Supervise and assess undergraduate research projects and postgraduate research
dissertations.

Carry out module and programme evaluation and implement teaching quality assurance
and enhancement strategies.

Provide, as appropriate, pastoral care for students such as acting as Personal Tutor. If
necessary refer students to the appropriate authority for guidance and collaborate with
colleagues to identify and respond to students’ needs.

Play a full part in the leadership and administration of the Department through carrying
out administrative roles, as assigned by the Head of Department, through membership
of the Department’s committees, and in the Faculty and University as appropriate

Contribute fully to the management and leadership of the Department, Faculty and
University.

Plan and prioritise own daily work and forward-plan up to five years for some tasks. For
teaching, plan up to one year ahead, or in the case of significant programme changes or
new programmes and modules, up to two or more years ahead of their introduction.

Any other duties commensurate with the seniority of the post.
Person Specification
Applicants should provide evidence in their applications that they meet the following
criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure candidates’ abilities in these
areas including reviewing your on-line application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted
candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post.
Criteria
Essential Desirable
Qualifications and experience
1.
A PhD (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject area.
X
2.
The ability to maintain a programme of research and teaching at
X
the highest level.
3.
A distinguished record of international research and research
X
interests that enhance the Department’s existing portfolio of
strengths.
4.
A proven record of obtaining and managing external research
X
grants.
5.
Substantial track-record of research grant capture.
X
Management skills
6.
Experience of university governance & management, and of
X
academic administration.
7.
Experience of leading and developing academic departments
X
within biology or their equivalent.
8.
Ability to think and act strategically and robustly manage
X
change.
9.
Proven leadership skills as a motivator and organiser of
X
colleagues with the ability to manage a diverse group of staff.
10.
Experience in the effective mentoring of experienced and junior
X
colleagues.
11.
Experience of supporting staff performance including the
X
development of earlier career researchers, and of reviewing staff
performance and progress against objectives and managing
performance.
Communication skills
12.
Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.
X
13.
Experience of supervising Masters and Doctoral students.
X
14.
Commitment to providing effective teaching at undergraduate
X
and postgraduate levels, ideally with a teaching qualification.
15.
Excellent organisational, interpersonal skills and presentation.
X
16.
Well established personal reputation and professional standing.
X
Team working
17.
Flexibility, imagination and ability to work collaboratively and
X
effectively as part of a team.
Personal effectiveness
18.
Enthusiasm and the ability to prioritise work demands to meet
X
deadlines.
19.
The ability to maintain a programme of research and teaching at
X
the highest level.
Further Information
This post is full-time:
This role has been identified as a full-time post, but we are committed to exploring flexible
working opportunities with our staff which benefit both the individual and the University.
Therefore, we would consider flexible delivery of the role subject to meeting the business
needs of the post. See www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/wellbeing/info/wlb.html for more
information.
Benefits
Terms and conditions of employment: Will be those for non-clinical professorial staff.
Salary for this grade: will be within the Professorial Pay Scheme Band Structure.
More details on salaries, terms and conditions and our wide range of benefits for staff are
available at www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/reward/structures
Closing date: TO BE CONFIRMED BY HR
Informal enquiries:
For all on-line application system queries and support, contact:
e-Recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk .
For informal enquiries about this job and department, contact: NAME on
name@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 xxxx.
Selection-Next Step
Following the closing date, you will be informed by email whether or not you have been
shortlisted to be invited to participate in the next stage of the selection process. Please note
that due to the large number of applications that we receive, it may take up to two working
weeks following the closing date before the recruiting department will be able to contact
you.
The University of Sheffield is committed to achieving excellence through inclusion.
The University of Sheffield is proud to be a Two Ticks employer
www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/equality/support/twoticks/
The University has achieved the Athena SWAN award for Women in
Science, Engineering and Medicine.
Pursue the extraordinary