Further details: Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Reader in Evolutionary
Biology
We are seeking an evolutionary biologist with an established research reputation, and
the potential to sustain this through securing external funding at Bath. Evolutionary
biology is here broadly defined, including, but not limited to, subject areas as disparate
as comparative genomics, evolutionary systems biology, behavioural ecology and
palaeontology.
Candidates with interests in experimental or applied evolution,
potentially with medical or epidemiological relevance, are encouraged to apply.
Candidates should have strong potential to complement existing research in the
department that is focussed in four areas: Evolution and biodiversity, Cell and
developmental biology, Infection and immunity, and Molecular structure and function. An
interest in collaborating with academics in the Department, its associated research
centres, and in the Faculty of Science and University more widely is desirable, to gain
maximum advantage from interdisciplinary research. Candidates will be expected to
present their strategy for obtaining external funding to support their research.
The Department of Biology and Biochemistry is ranked 2nd in The Sunday Times
University Guide 2013 Biology subject league table, and consistently receives very high
student satisfaction in the NSS. With 46 academic staff our research is diverse and in
the Research Assessment Exercise 2008, 90% of our research was judged to be
internationally recognised, excellent or world-leading. We publish approximately 125
papers each year in peer reviewed journals and our current research grant portfolio
stands at £12.5 million. We have over 80 full time postgraduate students.
Three Interdisciplinary Centres link activities to labs in other departments. These are the
Centre for Extremophile Research (chemistry and biochemistry of enzymes from
archaea; http://www.bath.ac.uk/cer/) the Centre for Regenerative Medicine
(developmental
biology,
stem
cell
biology,
tissue
engineering;
http://www.bath.ac.uk/crm/), and the Centre for Mathematical Biology (evolution and
population biology; http://www.bath.ac.uk/cmb/). There are, in addition, close informal
relations with the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology which also undertakes
significant life science research.
The Department consists of two adjacent buildings well equipped for modern Life
Science research. Building 4South was completely refurbished in 1997, and Building
3South was newly built in 2004. The whole Department has been recently re-equipped
with growth facilities including Xenopus and zebrafish aquaria, six insectaries, three
plant growth rooms and a cooled GM glasshouse. A state of the art biosciences services
unit was opened in 2008. A new tissue engineering laboratory has recently been
commissioned. Other Departmental facilities include protein purification, a crystallisation
robot, histology lab, fluorescent microscopes, optical tomography, virus preparation
laboratory and molecular biology services including a microarray reader, and
phosphorimaging. Also available at close proximity are a 600 MHzNMR facility and the
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Microscopy and Analysis Suite http://www.bath.ac.uk/mas/ including an electron
microscope suite, and the Bio-imaging Suite, comprising confocal microscopes, high
content microscope and a fluorescence activated cell sorter, Concorde calcium imaging
system and Mesoscale mutli-analyte instrument.
The Department of Biology and Biochemistry offers undergraduate degrees in Biology,
Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Biochemistry. There is a total annual intake of
about 150 undergraduates. Approximately two thirds of our undergraduates are on
placement degrees where they spend one year in research laboratories around the
world before entering their final year. The Department also runs MRes and MSc degrees
in a range of life science subjects, with a total annual intake of over 50 students. The
person appointed will contribute teaching to one or more of these programmes.
The University has a well developed technology transfer system. It can assist with
patent applications, contracts, licensing arrangements and formation of spin-out
companies. Sulis Innovation plc administers the £9M University Challenge Fund for the
Universities of Bath, Bristol and Southampton. This fund can provide small grants for
consultancy services to establish business plans, and larger grants as the first stage in
commercialisation of a new idea, prior to seeking more substantial funding from
business angels or venture funds.
The city of Bath is well known as one of the most beautiful in the UK. It was among the
first three cities to be awarded UN “World heritage” status, along with Florence and
Venice. The surrounding counties of Wiltshire and Somerset contain much spectacular
scenery and many attractive villages and market towns.
Informal enquiries may be made in complete confidence to the Head of Department, Dr
Richard Hooley (email bssrah@bath.ac.uk).
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Job Description
Job title:
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Reader in Evolutionary
Biology
Department:
Biology & Biochemistry
Responsible to:
Head of Department
Location:
4 South
Purpose of the job:





Lead and sustain a first class independent research programme in
evolutionary biology
Obtain external funding to support this research programme
Develop effective research collaborations within the Department, the
University, and with the wider scientific community
Contribute to the delivery and development of undergraduate and
postgraduate teaching as required by the Head of Department
Contribute to management and leadership activities of the department as
required by the Head of Department
Duties and Responsibilities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lead and sustain a first class research programme
Secure external research grant income
Recruit and supervise PhD students
Publish in high quality peer-reviewed journals
Develop and maintain an external reputation through activities such as
refereeing, conference presentations, conference organisation, professional
body activities, and engaging with public understanding of science.
6. Contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in the department
including lecturing, filed courses, workshops, tutorials, project supervision and
laboratory classes as well as associated examining duties.
7. Undertake management and leadership responsibilities within the Department
and to serve on Department and University Committees when as requested
by the Head of Department.
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Responsible for:
Research laboratory and associated equipment and facilities. Undergraduate
project students, postgraduate students and postdoctoral research staff
employed on research contracts. Budget control for externally funded research
contracts.
Person Specification
Criteria
Qualifications
PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline
Experience/Knowledge
Strong record of achievement in original research
and clear potential to sustain this
Strong potential for a high quality submission to
REF2014
Record of attracting research funding
Strong publication record in high quality, peer
reviewed journals
Record of successful supervision of research
students, and research staff
Capable of leadership in teaching
Engagement with the national and international
research community
Skills
An inspiring teacher with broad interests across
the subject area at undergraduate and
postgraduate levels
Leadership, organisational and administrative
skills
Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written
communication skills
Attributes
Ability to attract research grant support
Commitment to working within University
procedures
Ability to interact productively with research
colleagues within and outside the organisation
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
AF I
T
Yes
X
Yes
X
Yes
X
X
Yes
(SL/Reader)
Yes
Yes
(Lecturer)
Yes
(SL/Reader)
Yes
X
X
Yes
Yes
X
X
X
X
Yes
X
X
X
X
X
X
Yes
Yes
X
X
X
X
Yes
X
X
Yes
(SL/Reader)
Yes
X
X
Yes
4
Commitment to safe working practices
Yes
X
Code: A/F – Application form, I – Interview, T – Test
5
X
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