Job Description and Person Specification (HR5)
Post Number:
Job Description
School/Department:
CENTRE FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Post Title:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Transient Demography
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Principal Investigator (Level 5) Thomas Ezard
Posts Responsible for (and Level):
Job Purpose:
To carry out a productive research program to answer the overarching research question: how does
natural and anthropogenic disturbance change human population growth?
Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities (6-10 bullet points maximum)
% Time

To carry out analysis according to the programme defined in the project and through
liaison with the Principal Investigator. To use mathematical and statistical analysis to
provide a quantitative evidence base to underpin how disturbance changes human
population growth.

To conduct critical evaluation and interpretation of data to produce research results. To
provide oral and written reports and to draft publications for submission to high quality
scientific journals. To work independently to plan the research programme and time
manage the project.

To maintain an awareness of scientific literature relevant to the research project and
keep abreast of latest developments in the field and communicate findings to the
academic team.

To contribute to the overall activity of the Research Group by attendance at and
presentations to, internal seminar programmes and workshops.

To conduct health and safety risk assessments and follow good laboratory scientific
practice, including accurate formal records.

To contribute to the training of undergraduate project students and PhD students, and
assist with other duties in the research group.
1
100%
Internal & External Relationships: (nature & purpose of relationships)






The Principal Investigator who will provide supervision and guidance for the project.
Other members of the research team, in particular others working on this and related research
programmes.
PhD students and undergraduate project students for supervision, guidance and motivation.
Staff and research students in the Centre for Biological Sciences.
Staff and research students in the Centre for Population Change and across the relevant University
Strategic Research Groups (Ageing, Population Health).
Research collaborators in other institutions and members of their laboratories.
Special Requirements:
Availability to attend national meetings and conferences for the purpose of planning collaborations,
disseminating research results, fostering collaborations, and personal career development.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
How to be assessed
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
Degree or equivalent in a related subject (e.g., Biology,
Population and Geography, Demography).
X
PhD (or equivalent) or PhD award pending in relevant
area, with strong content in relevant subjects (e.g.,
demography, population biology).
X
Research experience in demography, social statistics,
population biology, or a related field.
X
Experience of the statistical environment R, or similar
mathematical/statistical software for mathematical and
statistical analysis.
Qualification
certificates
CV experience,
interview, references
X
Planning and Organising:
Ability to work independently and devise efficient
programmes of work.
X
CV experience,
interview, references
Problem Solving and Initiative:
X
CV, interview,
references
To be able to coordinate own activities with those of
other members of the team.
X
Interview, references
Evidence of strong team-working skills and good
communication.
X
Expertise in critical evaluation and data analysis with the
ability to perform comparative data analyses.
Management and Teamwork:
X
Self-motivated, independent work ethic.
2
CV, interview
Communicating and Influencing:
X
Interview, references
Computer literacy.
X
CV
Enthusiasm for science with ability to communicate this
to a variety of audiences.
X
Excellent communication skills, good spoken and written
English. Able to present research results and contribute
to papers in high quality journals.
Other Skills and Behaviours:
Interview
Special Requirements:
Availability to attend national and international meetings
and conferences for the purpose of planning
collaborations, disseminating research results, fostering
collaborations, and personal career development.
3
X
Interview
Job Hazard Analysis Form - Appendix to Job and Person Specification
Please tick one of the following statements:
This post is an office-based job with routine office hazards e.g. use of VDU (if ticked, no
further information needs to be supplied)

N/A
This post has some hazards other than routine office e.g. more than use of VDU
Please tick all those that apply, and put N/A if not applicable
Environmental Exposures
O*
Outside work
N/A
Extremes of temperature (eg fridge/ furnace)
N/A
Potential for exposure to body fluids
##
N/A
Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
##
N/A
Exposure to hazardous substances (eg solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify: Standard lab chemicals, e.g. acetone, acids, NaOH,
biohazards – non-pathogenic bacteria
##
N/A
Frequent hand washing
N/A
Ionising radiation.

N/A
Equipment/Tools/Machines used
Food Handling
##
N/A
Driving university vehicles(e.g. car/van/LGV/PCV)
##
N/A
Use of latex gloves (note: prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
##
Vibrating tools ( e.g. strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
N/A
##
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
N/A
Repetitive Climbing i.e. steps, stools, ladders
N/A
Fine motor grips (e.g. pipetting)
N/A
Gross motor grips
N/A
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
N/A
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
N/A
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
N/A
Psychosocial Issues
Face to face contact with public
N/A
Lone working
N/A
Shift work/night work/on call duties
##
4
N/A
F
C
O – Occasionally (up to 1/3 of time); F – Frequently (up to 2/3 of time); C – Constantly
(more than 2/3 of time) ## denotes to HR the need for a full PEHQ to be sent to all
applicants for this position.
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Which post does this job report to
ResourceLink Post Number
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Is this post a Line Manager?
If yes, which posts directly report into it?
Post 1
Post 2
Post 3
Post 4
Post 5
Post 6
Post 7
Post 8
Please add additional rows as required
Yes
ResourceLink Post Number
5
No
X