College of………….
Job Description
Post Title
Grade
Post Reference
Senior Research Officer
RG 9
The aim of this document is to provide an over-arching job description clarifying for
researchers at Swansea University in broad terms what is expected of them and what they
are expected to do. It includes, but is not limited to, the areas outlined below.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
(Please list the College / department specific responsibilities)
1.
2.
3.
General Duties and Responsibilities
This appointment in the College has a number of generic objectives common to research
appointments. These relate to developing and generating novel research concepts, designs,
directions, and outputs in areas related to communications technology.
A Senior Research Officer will be expected to:
1. Drive forward and pro-actively conduct research, including gather, prepare and analyse
data and present results, exhibiting a degree of independence in terms of specifying the
focus and direction of that research.
2. Prepare reports, draft patents and papers describing the results of the research, both
confidential and for publication. The writing and publishing of research papers,
particularly those intended for publication in refereed (eg international) journals or
comparable is an integral part of the role. At this grade you will be required to develop an
extensive track record of publications as the principle author.
3. Identify and pursue sources of external funding to support own work and that of others
within the College. As an integral part of the work be applying independently for external
research funding, where this is allowed, or to be leading the bid-writing process, if not.
4. Be self-motivated, apply and use initiative and problem solving skills to determine
research programmes and methodologies, in collaboration with colleagues or the Head of
College and others inside and beyond the University.
5. Participate in and develop internal and external networks to build a personal reputation, to
identify sources of funding, generate income, obtain consultancy projects or build
professional relationships.
6. Contribute to College organisational matters in order to help it run smoothly and to help
raise its external profile in the discipline.
7. Manage, direct, or supervise the work of others, for example in research teams or
projects.
8. Contribute to the teaching and learning programmes in the College and to supervise
postgraduate or project research students if required.
9. Keep informed of developments in the discipline in specific terms and the wider
applications of these developments.
10. When requested act as a representative or member of committees, using the opportunity
to extend their own professional experience and standing.
11. Demonstrate and evidence own professional development, identifying development needs
with reference to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework, particularly with regard
to probation, appraisal, and performance reviews, and participation in training events.
12. Observe best-practice protocols in maintenance and retention of research records as indicated by
HEI and Research Councils records management guidance. This includes ensuring project logbook records are deposited with the University/Principal Investigator on completion of the work
13. Participate in and undertake other research or administrative activities appropriate to their
experience and skill, and as directed by the Head of the College / Institute or such other
person delegated to act with their authority.
14. To promote equality and diversity in working practices and maintain positive working
relationships
15. To fully engage with the University’s Performance Enabling and Welsh Language policies
16. To conduct all activities within the University’s environmental requirements as set out in its
Sustainability Policy and Environmental Management System, in order to minimise individual and
departmental impact.
_______________________________________________________________________________
This is a fixed term position from ******* to ******* and the commencing salary will be on the
following scale for Research Staff, together with USS benefits, if required:
Salary:
£36,862 to £44,016 per annum (pro-rata if part time)
The normal expectation is that the successful applicant will be appointed to the minimum of the
scale with annual increments on 1 October each year (subject to completing six months service).
Hours:
35 per week. (This is a full time post but applications from individuals seeking part
time, job share or flexible working arrangements are welcome)
Annual leave: 31 days per annum plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time staff)
The Job Description sets out the duties of this post as at the closing date. It has been graded as
RG 9 against the benchmark profile for this grade.
This profile is available at:
http://www.swan.ac.uk/media/Media,18310,en.pdf It may be necessary for these duties to be
varied from time to time within the grade definition.
The appointment is subject to the General Terms of Appointment for Academic Staff as set out in
the
attached:
http://www.swan.ac.uk/personnel/GeneralInformation/TermsandConditions/AcademicStaffTermsC
onditions
Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to ……………, at ………@swansea.ac.uk.
Completed application forms should be returned to the HR Department, Swansea University,
Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, by Thursday
200... (allow 5 weeks from the date of
external advertising to comply with the Border and Immigration Agency requirements)
You are encouraged to investigate these sites on the Internet for more general information about
the College/Department of ………………..: www.swan.ac.uk/………., about living in Swansea and
its surrounds: www.swansea.gov.uk and travelling to work at the University:
http://www.swan.ac.uk/alumniandvisitors/MapsLocation/.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
A PhD in ………or a related subject
Demonstrate an extensive track-record of publications, particularly as the principal author
Evidence of applying independently for external research funding or to be leading the bid-writing
process.
The ability to exhibit a degree of independence in terms of specifying the focus and direction of the
research
Previous experience of teaching or learning support, or demonstrate the ability to undertake this
Project management skills and experience of managing a research project or similar
Desirable Criteria
Experience of supervising undergraduate or postgraduate student projects
Evidence of commitment to Continuing Professional Development
CRIMINAL RECORDS DISCLOSURE
RISK ASSESSMENT
Post Title:………………………………………….College / Department …………………………….
This form is designed to ensure that the appropriate criminal records disclosure is obtained where
members of staff are likely to be in contact with children or vulnerable adults.
1
Will this post involve regular contact with those aged under 18 or with vulnerable
adults?
YES/NO
(If you answer yes to this question a disclosure of criminal conviction will be sought
from the CRB. If No, please go to question 4.)
2
If YES to question 1, please give details of the groups and nature of the contact
involved:
3
If this work involves caring for, supervising, training or being in sole charge of these
groups, please give further details below. (An enhanced disclosure will be sought if
the work involves these factors):
4
Are there any other circumstances why a criminal conviction check should be carried
out? (e.g. care of animals) If so please give details below:
Welsh Language requirement
In accordance with the University’s Welsh Language Scheme we need to consider the levels of
Welsh competencies required for each post and to justify this. This form is designed to ensure
that the appropriate level of Welsh is highlighted and applied consistently throughout the
recruitment process.
Please complete the attached and this will be fed into the Person Specification for the
post and also the job description if necessary:
Essential
Desirable
Justification
The ability to speak
Welsh fluently and to
write in Welsh with
confidence
The ability to speak and
read/write Welsh to a
basic level
Not relevant
Examples of when Welsh may be essential include:
o In a service where there are no other Welsh speakers to assist Welsh students, staff
or public
o In a Welsh speaking Department or section such as the Department of Welsh or parts
of the Department of Adult Continuing Education/Academi Hywel Teifi
o In a post with a great deal of contact with Welsh speakers
o In a post that requires Welsh or translation or bi-lingual skills
Examples of when Welsh may be desirable
o In a service where there are no other Welsh speakers to assist Welsh students, staff
or public
o In a service where having to provide a Welsh language service would mean asking
another officer therefore having a detrimental effect on the service
o In a role which would assist the service for example by reducing the need for
translation
Examples of when Welsh skills are not relevant
o In a post that has limited contact with the public and the working language is English,
such as research posts
o In a post where other language skills are essential such as Teaching posts in other
modern languages or International student Officer posts dealing with overseas
nationals primarily
Health Surveillance Risk Assessment Form
The University is required by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure an appropriate Health
Surveillance system, as part of a general drive to enhance Occupational Health in the University.
The starting point is your risk assessment.
This will assist in identifying potential health hazards in the workplace and those who may be at risk,
and help ensure appropriate measures are implemented in order to control these risks.
Post Title
Grade
College
Reports to
Post Reference
Please identify below potential risks associated with the above position:
VDU
Will this postholder be required to use a visual display unit as a
YES / NO
significant part of their job?
Night Shift Workers
Will this postholder be required to undertake regular shift work at
YES / NO
night?
Noise
Will this postholder be exposed to high noise levels as part of their
role?
Hand Arm Vibration
Will this postholder be required to use vibrating tools or equipment as
a significant part of their job?
Dermatitis/Skin problems
Will this postholder be required to use chemicals where the safety
data sheet indicates a risk of an allergic / sensitising reaction?
Cancer
Will this postholder be required to use any chemicals that are
carcinogenic (a cancer causing agent)?
Ionising radiation
Will this postholder be required to travel regularly to different sites and
work with ionising radiation?
YES / NO
YES / NO
YES / NO
YES / NO
YES / NO
Please identify any other potential risks associated with the above position that
should be considered as part of the pre employment screening and/or on-going health
surveillance:
Name:
......................................................................................................................
Signature:
......................................................................................................................
Job Title:
......................................................................................................................
Date:
......................................................................................................................
Although the advert will appear at the start of the document it is easier to draft after the job
description and person specification has been produced as the main points of these are used
to attract applicants to the advert.
College
Senior Research Officer
Salary scale: £36,715 to £43,840 per annum (pro rata if part time )
Applicants are invited for the position of Senior Research Officer in the College of
……………………., reference ……
Statement re job purpose taken from job description form.
Statement re qualifications/knowledge base, skills, abilities and experience required of
candidates, taken from person specification.
The text here should be brief but include the key parts of the job which will attract applicants.
(It is anticipated that interviews will be held on …………..)
Informal enquiries may be made to …………….. telephone/email contact details.
An application form and further details may be obtained, quoting the appropriate reference,
from the HR Department, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, tel.
(01792) 295136 (24 hours) or at http://www.swan.ac.uk/personnel/Vacancies/. Closing date:
Thursday …………… 2010 . (allow 4 weeks)
We are an equal opportunity employer aiming for diversity in our workforce.
To be advertised in: UWS Vacancy Bulletin
UWS Web Site
Jobs.ac.uk
THES
Guardian
South Wales Evening Post
Western Mail
NB. Should the advert require any logos (e.g. funding bodies), these should be
forwarded with the draft advert, job description and person specification.