Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
8468
Job title:
Research Investment Fellow in Planetary Sciences
Reports to:
Head of Discipline, Planetary & Space Sciences
Salary:
£30,122 - £44,166
Terms and conditions:
Research Staff
Grade:
AC2/3
Duration of post:
48 months
Working hours:
Full time
Location:
Milton Keynes
Closing date:
30 November 2012
Type of application form accepted:
Short
Number of referees required:
Two
Unit recruitment contact:
Fiona McGavin
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2. Summary of duties
This independent fellowship in Planetary Sciences is aimed at strengthening the Open
University's submission in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, and is one of six
Research Investment Fellowships aimed at bringing in external expertise in research areas of
high strategic priority.
The successful applicant will have and maintain a strong independent research programme,
adding value to existing research strengths within the Planetary and Space Sciences
Discipline, and have the potential for research leadership. The successful candidate will have
an excellent publication record with highly cited / high impact papers. The candidate will also
be strongly supported in preparing external funding bids for prestigious fellowship schemes.
Main duties
The appointee will be expected to:
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have and maintain an independent research profile in planetary sciences;
have and maintain a high profile publication output;
contribute to and lead bids for internal and external funding;
collaborate with other members of the Planetary and Space Sciences Discipline;
collaborate with other research groups in the OU and beyond;
promote the work of the department by public outreach/engagement activities.
The successful candidate will be appointed to the Department of Physical Sciences and
affiliated to the Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR) and
will be expected to make an effective contribution to that academic community.
All staff are expected to:
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undertake any other duties which may reasonably be required.
Take reasonable care of the Health & Safety of themselves and that of any other person
who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity.
3. Person specification
Essential Criteria
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PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a planetary sciences or related subject area
(e.g. physics, astronomy, chemistry, earth Sciences, etc)
An excellent track record of independent research, as shown by highly-cited or high impact
REF-eligible publications
Synergies with current and future research in the Planetary and Space Sciences discipline,
specifically in laboratory-based isotope geochemistry or cosmochemistry.
Good oral and written communication skills in English
Demonstrable grasp of the relevant research literature
Ability to work harmoniously within a team
Ability to collaborate with colleagues in the Department of Physical Sciences and in
CEPSAR
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Desirable Criteria
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Experience in the use of relevant analytical instrumentation (e.g., electron microscopy,
mass spectrometry, Raman or IR spectroscopy)
Knowledge of the mineralogy and petrology of meteorites and/or other extraterrestrial
materials
Demonstrable ability to participate collaboratively in future research programmes
Good presentation skills
Track record of successful funding bids or potential to attract external funding
Research esteem indicators
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
5. About the unit/department
Faculty of Science
The Faculty has a staff of about 300, comprising of around 115 academic staff (central
and regional/national) with the balance made up of research staff, curriculum managers,
laboratory staff, administrators and clerical staff. There are also varying numbers of
research students and visiting academic staff.
The Faculty has three departments, each with constituent discipline groups:
Department of Environment, Earth and Ecosystems
 Earth Sciences
 Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
 Brain & Behavioural Sciences
 Cell & Molecular Biology
 Chemistry & Analytical Sciences
 Human Biology
Department of Physical Sciences
 Astronomy
 Physics
 Planetary & Space Sciences
Science Curriculum
The Faculty currently supports a broad-based Natural Sciences programme. Within this
there are 5 undergraduate discipline-based pathways; Life Sciences, Health Sciences,
Chemistry and Analytical Science, Earth and Environmental sciences, and Physical
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Science.
At post-graduate level, the Faculty supports an MSc programme which currently has
several strands including Science Studies, Earth Science, Frontiers in Medical Science,
and Health Physics.
The Faculty also supports foundation degrees in Health Sciences (including paramedic
and operating theatre practice) and Analytical Science.
Science Research
The Faculty of Science undertakes a range of research across many scientific topics
that brings together traditional scientific disciplines and new interdisciplinary areas
through three major research groupings:
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The Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR)
Biomedical Research Network (BRN)
Employers, Science, Technology, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Mathematics
(eSTEeM)
Our research encompasses both 'blue-skies' basic research and applied research to
find solutions to specific scientific and technological problems. In addition, the Faculty of
Science is supporting a number of new ‘genesis’ areas where new synergies are rapidly
developing in response to external research opportunities.
We have over 4500 square metres of state-of-the-art research laboratories with major
research facilities that include:
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A recently opened facility for interdisciplinary research in ecosystems and
geobiology.
One of Europe’s leading centres for isotope mass spectrometry including
extensive radiogenic, noble gas and stable isotope mass spectrometry facilities
and a new £3 million microbeam facility, including a Cameca Nanosims ion
imaging system and dual beam FIB-SEM
Ultraclean spacecraft instrument testing and assembly, and for handling
planetary materials and returned extraterrestrial samples
A state-of-the-art life sciences research facility including biological containment
laboratories, molecular genetics and DNA-sequencing laboratories
Environmental and transmission electron microscopy
Hypervelocity Impact laboratory
Well equipped laboratories for research in atomic, molecular and plasma
research
eSTEeM (http://www.open.ac.uk/about/teaching-and-learning/esteem/ ) is an
initiative to bring together academics within Science and the Faculty of Maths,
Computing and Technology to develop new approaches to teaching and learning.
This centre builds on existing collaborations developed within the Centres for
Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETLs) based at the OU and with other
Faculties, aiming to embed new approaches around priority areas such as eassessment, online experimentation, etc.
Further information on the Faculty can be found on our website at
http://www8.open.ac.uk/science/main/.
Department of Physical Sciences
Head of Department: Professor Monica Grady CBE
The Department of Physical Sciences (DPS) is a lively and innovative department of
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around 150 staff and postgraduate research students drawn from across the globe.
DPS has grown from the merger of the former Department of Physics and Astronomy
with the Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute and the Planetary Surfaces
Group from the former Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
The Department comprises three Disciplines:
Astronomy (Head: Dr Stephen Serjeant)
Physics (Head: Professor Nick Braithwaite)
Planetary and Space Sciences (Head: Professor Ian Wright)
The Department’s research is co-ordinated through the Centre for Earth, Planetary,
Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR) http://cepsar.open.ac.uk/, and covers a
wide range of subjects – from the behaviour of atoms at temperatures close to absolute
zero to the merger of galaxies many light years away. Studies range from the building
blocks of stars and planets by microscopes, and stars and planets themselves by both
ground- and space-based telescopes. The common thread that runs through research
in these areas is a desire to understand the origin of matter, and how it has evolved
from the Big Bang almost 14 billion years ago to what we can observe and measure
today. There are several research groups lead by staff in DPS including the Centre for
Electronic Imaging (CEI), the Cold Atoms Group, the Cosmochemistry Research Group
(CRG), the Exoplanets Group and the Planetary Surfaces and Atmospheres Group
(GASP).
The Department enjoys full use of CEPSAR’s exceptionally well equipped research
facilities and has an unparalleled suite of analytical instrumentation in modern
laboratories on campus; this is complemented by membership of the UK
Cosmochemical Analysis Network, giving access to instrumentation at the partnership
institutions, as well as the regular use of multi-national facilities such as the Diamond
synchrotron.
The Department’s teaching is mainly within the Physical Science curriculum, with
additional significant contributions to the Geoscience strand. DPS are also major drivers
of the Science Faculty’s flagship introductory science course, Exploring Science (S104),
and its new second level practical science courses, Practical science: physics and
astronomy (SXP288) and Practical science: Earth and environment (SXG288).
6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please
contact Dr Simon Green on +44 (01908) 659601 or email s.f.green@open.ac.uk.
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Fiona McGavin on
+44(0)1908 858 110 or email science-recruitment@open.ac.uk.
7. The application process and where to send completed applications
Your application should include:
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Cover letter
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Short application form
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CV
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List of publications
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An outline plan of your proposed research programme – 500 words maximum
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: 30 November 2012
E-mail your application to science-recruitment@open.ac.uk.
Or post it to:
Name/Job title:
Fiona McGavin, Staffing Co-ordinator
Department/Unit: Faculty of Science
Address:
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
Post Code:
MK7 6AA
8. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by Professor Nigel Mason, Associate Dean (Research,
Enterprise & Scholarship). The other members of the interview panel will be Professor
Monica Grady, Head of Department, Physical Sciences and Dr Simon Green, Senior Lecturer,
Department of Physical Sciences.
The selection process for this post will include giving a short seminar in addition to attending a
panel interview.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
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