About
The
Job.
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Faculty of Science
Research Associate
About
The
Job.
Pursue the extraordinary
Overview
About the Department
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is composed of more than 35 members of academic
staff, 23 professional services staff, 44 Research Associates and in excess of 200 undergraduate
and 80 postgraduate research students. The department is one of the UK’s leading Physics
departments, and was rated 7th of all UK physics departments in RAE2008. It has a dynamic
research environment and its internationally excellent research activities are concentrated in four
major research groups: Astronomy & Astrophysics, Inorganic Semiconductors, Soft Condensed
Matter, Particle Physics & Particle Astrophysics. The department has seen very significant strategic
development in recent years. Grant income has quadrupled since 2000, and undergraduate and
postgraduate numbers continue to rise. These factors together give the department a very stable
foundation.
The research portfolio is focused on: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Particle Physics and Particle
Astrophysics, Condensed Matter, Molecular Materials, Polymer Physics and Semiconductor
Physics. These activities form a close collaborative block within the department. Further
interdisciplinary research is undertaken with Chemistry, Electronics and Electrical Engineering,
Engineering Materials, Medicine, Applied Mathematics, and other departments.
Job Role
The post will involve the detailed analysis of spectroscopic data for a complete sample of
nearby radio galaxies, in order to determine the energetic significance of the neutral outflows
in such objects, and investigate the role they play in the evolution of the host galaxies. In this
way the post will contribute to the international research excellence of the Astronomy &
Astrophysics group, the Department of Physics & Astronomy, and the Faculty of Science.
Job Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibilities will include:
1. Liaise with researchers from a range of collaborative areas within the University, HE sector
and beyond.
2. Analyse and record data to aid future research.
3. Maintain a systematic record of scientific outcomes.
4. Prepare papers for journals / presentations either in-house or at national/international
conferences to disseminate research findings.
5. Contribute to and support the work of the Research Group (e.g. writing reports and
providing training in basic morphometric skills).
6. Plan own research schedule and workload within the project schedule to ensure that the
overall project milestones and objectives are met.
7. Plan and prepare several months in advance for publications and conference
presentations.
8. If given a particular hypothesis to examine, plan for own contribution up to 3 months
ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project
milestones and overall research aims.
9. Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily
planning needs to accommodate new developments.
10. Read academic papers, journals and text books to keep abreast of developments and use
this information to brief colleagues and inform the work of the project.
11. Carry out administrative roles as required.
12. Any other duties, commensurate with the grade 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 good honours degree (or equivalent experience) in a
X
discipline related to the project.
2.
A PhD (or equivalent experience) in a discipline related to the
X
project, or evidence of working towards this qualification.
3.
Relevant IT skills including knowledge of the following data
X
analysis tools: FIGARO, DIPSO, IDL
Communication skills
4.
Interpersonal skills to conduct effective working relationships.
X
5.
Experience of report writing, giving presentations and writing
X
research publications for peer-reviewed journals.
Team and Individual working
6.
Ability to work well independently, as well as effectively as part
X
of a team.
7.
Ability to handle multiple simultaneous demands and activities.
X
Personal effectiveness
8.
Ability to organise resources, plan and progress work activities,
and meet deadlines.
X
9.
Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of
X
wider implications.
10.
Enthusiastic and committed to conducting innovative,
X
cross-disciplinary research.
11.
Ability to show personal initiative, reliability, and attention to
X
detail.
Background knowledge
12.
Experience in and/or knowledge of the spectroscopic data
X
analysis, including spectral synthesis modelling and line profile
fitting.
13.
A good knowledge of AGN research.
X
Further Information
This is a full time post with a start date of 1 June 2014 or as soon as possible thereafter. The post
is fixed term for a duration of 9 months until 28 February 2015.
Benefits
Terms and conditions of employment: Will be those for Grade 7 staff.
Salary for this grade: £28,972 per annum
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
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: XXXX on 0114 222XXXX or
XXXXX@sheffield.ac.uk .
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 four 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