Job Description and Person
Specification
Last updated:
January 2016
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Professorial Fellow in Bioinformatics
Academic Unit/Service:
Human Development of Health/MRC LEU
Faculty:
Faculty of Medicine
Career Pathway:
Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE)
*ERE category:
Research pathway
Posts responsible to:
Director of NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre in nutrition
Posts responsible for:
Supervision of doctoral and post-doctoral researchers
Post base:
Office-based
Level:
7
Job purpose
The Professorial Fellow in Bioinformatics will provide the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre in
nutrition with strategic leadership for bioinformatics and systems approaches.
To champion the emergence of a data-driven-biology revolution for the NIHR Southampton Biomedical
Research Centre and the University of Southampton-University Hospital Southampton partnership. Advocate
for systems approaches as the way to extract maximum value and derive new biological understanding from
precious biological samples.
To ensure the development of expertise in the available platforms, logistics, processing and analysis.
Facilitate dataset acquisition and exploration. Embed computational techniques into all research groups.
To pursue independent research in the field of epigenomic epidemiology. Building on previous
achievements in the field, pursue innovative advanced computational methodologies for integration,
analysis and interpretation of epigenomics data and its application to personalized medicine.
Publish original research, opinion and review articles that enhance the University of Southampton Biomedical
Research Centre’s reputation as thought-leaders in the field.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
Lead, with the Director of the Biomedical Research Centre of Nutrition, on the identification 40 %
and development of systems approaches as the way to extract maximum value and derive
new biological understanding from precious biological samples.
This includes
championing the emergence of a data-driven-biology revolution in the University-UHS
partnership, ensuring the development of expertise in the available platforms, logistics,
processing and analysis, facilitating dataset acquisition and exploration, and embedding
computational techniques into all research groups.
2.
Pursue independent research in the field of epigenomic epidemiology. Building on previous 30 %
achievements in the field, pursue innovative advanced computational methodologies for
integration, analysis and interpretation of epigenomics data and its application to
personalized medicine. Publish original research, opinion and review articles that enhance
the University of Southampton’s reputation as thought-leaders in the field.
3.
Formulate strategic plans to translate new research findings to unmet needs in biosciences 20 %
with a particular focus on enabling precision medicine and drug discovery. Instigate,
develop and lead new activities with Industrial partners. Champion a translational approach
within the University-UHS partnership and highlight opportunities to translate academic
results to address unmet medical needs.
4.
Build international network of opinion-leading multidisciplinary collaborators in advanced 10 %
computational technologies and approaches to genomics data and its application to healthy
ageing across the lifespan, to ensure University of Southampton is in the leading world
group of institutions working in this space. Make this group truly global with a particular
focus on building alliances with experts in Asia. Lead internationally competitive
programmes including international collaborators.
5.
Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post
holder.
Internal and external relationships
Key internal relationships will be between the NIHR Southampton BRC, the University of Southampton
(notably the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology, Human Development and Health Academic Unit and the Centre
for Biological Sciences, but also other UoS Institutes, Departments and Faculties, as appropriate).
Key external relationships will be with other NIHR Centres/Units, with overseas academic collaborators
(notably in Singapore and New Zealand) and with partners in the Pharmaceutical and Food Industry sectors.
Special Requirements
Ability to travel to international and UK travel, and to take part in out of hours teleconferences
Document1ERE Level 7 – Balanced Pathway - Professor
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications,
knowledge and
experience
PhD and experience in epigenetics
and metagenomics.
Experience of drug and biomarker
discovery research in the industry
sector
Detailed knowledge of epigenetic
epidemiology.
A significant national and
international reputation in
bioinformatics and systems biology,
centred on interpretation of
biological ‘omics data across
multiple dimensions.
How to be
assessed
C.V.
Experience in leading industryacademic partnerships
Involvement in national and
international events and
collaborative research
A sustained record of excellence in
research activities.
Experience of influencing strategy
and change in a complex
environment.
Experience of working with clinical
observational and interventional
cohorts
Planning and
organising
Proven ability to champion and
oversee key contributions to
University research and enterprise
strategies.
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary research activities,
grants and/or contracts of national
and international importance.
Proven ability to lead the
development of education strategies
through ongoing leadership in the
dissemination of knowledge and/or
curriculum development.
Problem solving
and initiative
Proven ability to implement
successful change management
initiatives and formulate strategic
plans that reflect and support the
priority needs of the faculty and
University.
Management
and teamwork
Proven ability to oversee people and
resource management processes in
order to deliver key education,
research and enterprise activities.
Proven ability to make a sustained
contribution to academic leadership
at discipline, academic unit and
faculty level.
Proven ability to demonstrate
leadership abilities in Higher
Education and to raise performance
standards through own work areas.
Proven ability to recognise and deal
with obstacles and difficulties so
that the team can deliver.
Document1ERE Level 7 – Balanced Pathway - Professor
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Communicating
and influencing
Proven ability to establish and build
major relationships with
stakeholders.
Proven ability to act as the main
figurehead for key activities,
developing important national and
international contacts.
Able to contribute to the
development of the University’s
profile in the UK and internationally.
Proven ability to use influence to
develop positions or strategies.
Other skills and
behaviours
Compliance with relevant Health &
Safety issues
Positive attitude to colleagues and
students
Special
requirements
Able to attend national and
international conferences as
required.
Document1ERE Level 7 – Balanced Pathway - Professor
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JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☒ Yes
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further
information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☐ No
If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use
of VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety
of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required
for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
Document1ERE Level 7 – Balanced Pathway - Professor
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