College of………
Job Description
Post Title
Grade
Post Reference
Research Assistant / Research Officer / Senior Research Officer
RG 7, 8 or 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 – this may vary according to the
grade required)
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 ………………….
A Research Assistant (grade 7) will be expected to:
1. Pro-actively contribute to and conduct research, including gather, prepare and analyse data,
generate original ideas and present results.
2. Prepare reports, draft patents and papers describing the results of the research, both
confidential and for publication.
3. Be self-motivated, apply and use their initiative, aiming to determine suitable ways to tackle
challenges and seeking guidance when needed
4. Interact positively and professionally with other collaborators and partners within the College
and elsewhere in the University and beyond as appropriate such as in industry/commerce,
public organisations, hospitals and academia.
5. Contribute to College organisational matters in order to help it run smoothly and to help raise
its external research profile.
6. Keep informed of developments in the field in technical, specific and general terms and their
wider implication for the discipline area, commercial applications and the knowledge
economy.
7. When requested act as a representative or member of committees, using the opportunity to
extend their own professional experience.
8. 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.
9. Maintain and enhance links with the professional institutions and other related bodies.
10. 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.
11. 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 log-book
records are deposited with the University/Principal Investigator on completion of the work.
12. To promote equality and diversity in working practices and to maintain positive working relationships.
13. To fully engage with the University’s Performance Enabling and Welsh Language policies
14. 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.
In addition Research Officers at Grade 8 will be required to:
15. To exhibit a degree of independence in terms of specifying the focus and direction of the
research.
16. To be actively engaged in the writing and publishing of research papers, particularly those
intended for publication in refereed (eg international) journals or comparable as a normal
part of their role.
17. Be self-motivated, apply and use their initiative, aiming to determine suitable ways to tackle
challenges
18. Use creativity to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
19. Contribute pro-actively to the development of external funding applications to support their
own work, that of others and the College / Department/ Institution in general. The appointee
will be expected as a normal part of their work to be actively engaged in writing, or
contributing to writing such applications.
20. 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
In addition Senior Research Officers at Grade 9 will be required to:
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. Contribute to College organisational matters in order to help it run smoothly and to help raise
its external profile in the discipline.
27. Manage, direct, or supervise the work of others, for example in research teams or projects.
28. Contribute to the teaching and learning programmes in the College and to supervise
postgraduate or project research students if required.
29. When requested act as a representative or member of committees, using the opportunity to
extend their own professional experience and standing.
This is a fixed term position from ******* to ******* and the salary will be on either the Grade 7, 8 or
9 salary scale for Research Staff depending on the Academic Research profile which best
matches your experience and achievements. The relevant profiles are attached for information:
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 9
http://www.swansea.ac.uk/media/Media,18308,en.pdf
http://www.swansea.ac.uk/media/Media,27970,en.pdf
http://www.swansea.ac.uk/media/Media,18310,en.pdf
The job description sets out the duties of this post as of July 2010, it may be necessary for these
duties to be varied from time to time within the grade/profile definition.
Salary:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Grade 9:
£26629 to £29972 per annum
£30870 to £35788 per annum
£36862 to £44016 per annum
The salary range covers Academic appointments at Research grades 7, 8, and 9. The normal
expectation is that the successful applicant will be appointed to the minimum of the agreed 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 appointment is subject to the General Terms of Appointment for Research Staff set out in the
attached:
http://www.swan.ac.uk/personnel/GeneralInformation/TermsandConditions/AcademicStaffTermsCon
ditions/#d.en.1562
Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to ……………, at ………@swansea.ac.uk.
Completed application forms should be returned to the Human Resources Department, Swansea
University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, by Thursday …………… 2011. (Please note the
post should be advertised for 5 weeks from the date of the external advert 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
Variable Essential criteria to determine grade of appointment
Qualifications
Grade 7 – A degree in …..or a related subject
or
Grade 8 – a post graduate degree in…………or a related subject
Grade 9 – A Phd or equivalent in
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Publications
Grade 7 - Evidence of the ability to actively engage in and contribute to
writing and publishing research papers, particularly for refereed journals.
Grade 8 - Evidence of active engagement, personal role, and contribution to
writing and publishing research papers, particularly for refereed journals.
Grade 9 - Demonstrate an extensive track-record of publications, particularly
as the principal author



Independence of Research
Grade 7 - A demonstrable ability to conduct research in line with the
objectives of the project
Grade 8 - Ability to demonstrate significant independence of focus and
direction in research – determining ’what, why, when and with whom' to
progress work.
Grade 9 - The ability to exhibit a degree of independence in terms of
specifying the focus and direction of the research
Research Funding
Grade 7 – to support applications for further funding
Grade 8 – Evidence of the capacity for active engagement in designing
research and writing, or contributing to writing, applications for external
research funding.
Grade 9 - Evidence of applying independently for external research funding or
to be leading the bid-writing process.
Project Management Skills
Grade 7 – Evidence of planning skills to contribute to the research project
Grade 8 – Evidence of the ability to manage own research and administrative
activities to meet deadlines
Grade 9 – Project management skills and experience of managing a research
project or similar
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All grades
Evidence of commitment to Continuing Professional Development

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Desirable Criteria
Experience of supervising undergraduate or postgraduate student projects
Previous experience of teaching or learning support, or demonstrate the
ability to undertake this
If one of the Essential criteria is considered to be of a higher weighting than others please discuss this with
the Recruitment team at the time of writing the documentation
CRIMINAL RECORDS DISCLOSURE
RISK ASSESSMENT
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:
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:
......................................................................................................................
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
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 of
Research Assistant
Salary scale: £26, 523 to £29, 853 per annum (pro rata if part time )
Applicants are invited for the position of Research Assistant
……………………., reference ……
in the College of
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.
(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
…………… 2008 .
Please note the post will be advertised for 4 weeks.
We are an equal opportunity employer aiming for diversity in our workforce.
To be advertised in: Swansea University Web Site
Jobs.ac.uk
Job centre Plus
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.