Job Description and Person Specification (HR5)
Post Number:
Job Description
School/Department:
Faculty of Natural & Environmental Sciences
Post Title:
Senior Research Assistant/Research Fellow in Marine Ecology
Please enter Level
under appropriate
Career Pathway
ERE
TAE
MSA
CAO
Clinical
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Academic Posts
ERE Category
R.Nurse
Academic
(mixed)
Posts Responsible to (and Level):
Research
only
Non-Academic Posts
Teaching
only
Enterprise
Education Development
Professor Stephen Hawkins (SJH)
Posts Responsible for (and Level):
Job Purpose: To support the Dean of Faculty in his research
Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities (6-10 bullet points maximum)
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Assist SJH with fieldwork to maintain long-term data sets and establish
experiments on the role of biodiversity in functioning of coastal ecosystems.
Process and curate samples and collate and archive data.
Organise laboratory and fieldwork logistics.
Assist with publishing activities (editing, refereeing etc) including preparation of
manuscripts for publication.
Assist with scientific-based administration and strategy development.
Other administrative duties to support the Dean, including external stakeholder
liaison.
Help organise a major international conference
Any other duties that fall within the scope of the post as allocated by the line
manager following consultation with the post-holder.
Internal & External Relationships: (nature & purpose of relationships)
 Work with Dean to enable research.
 Work with Post-doctoral Fellow to deliver research.
 Interact as needed with other Deanery staff.
 Interact with internal collaborators to facilitate joint work.
 Interact with external stakeholders and funders.
 Interact with Finance on project management and accounts.
1
% Time
30
10
10
15
20
10
10
5
Special Requirements:
IT-literate, numerate, able to write and communicate well. Physical fitness is needed to fully
participate in fieldwork. Flexibility is essential as much fieldwork will be at weekends due to timing of
tides. Organisational skills are essential.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
How to be
assessed
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
PhD in ecology, marine biology or related area.
X
CV
BSc, Masters (or equivalent) in biological or
environmental sciences.
X
CV
IT literacy.
X
Interview
Experience of field-working.
X
Interview
Statistical expertise and numeracy.
X
Interview
Identification skills – rocky shore species
X
Interview
Planning and Organising:
Sound logistical skills.
X
Interview
Ability to keep basic accounts and manage
finances.
X
Interview
Ability to plan fieldwork/workshops.
X
Interview
Ability to work on own and as part of a team.
X
Interview
Ability to design experiments and surveys.
X
Interview
Networking ability.
X
Interview
Ability to co-ordinate teams.
X
Interview
Upward management of SJH.
X
Interview
X
Interview
X
CV
Problem Solving and Initiative:
Management and Teamwork:
Communicating and Influencing:
Excellent verbal and written communication
skills.
Other Skills and Behaviours:
Ability to drive.
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Special Requirements:
Interview
Flexibility: this is a role that involves timemanagement and week-end work. Physical fitness
to participate in fieldwork.
At post-graduate level the post would allow
registration for a part-time masters or PhD by
research.
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Job Hazard Analysis Form - Appendix to Job and Person Specification
School/Department:
FACULTY OF NATURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCES/SCHOOL OF EARTH AND OCEAN SCIENCES
Post Title:
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSISTANT/RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Post Number:
Please tick one of the following statements:
This post is an office-based job with routine office hazards e.g. use of VDU
This post has some hazards other than routine office e.g. more than use of VDU
Please tick all those that apply, and put N/A if not applicable
Environmental Exposures
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg fridge/ furnace)
Potential for exposure to body fluids
##
Possible Contact with patients in a clinical/home setting
##
Noise (greater than 80 dba- 8 hrs twa)
##
Exposure to hazardous substances (eg solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards, animals). Specify …………………………………………..
##
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation.
Equipment/Tools/Machines used
Food Handling
##
Driving university vehicles(e.g. car/van/LGV/PCV)
##
Use of latex gloves (note: prohibited unless a 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 i.e. steps, stools, ladders
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
##
O*
F
X
C
X
X
X
X
O – Occasionally (up to 1/3 of time); F – Frequently (up to 2/3 of time); C – Constantly
(more than 2/3 of time) ## denotes to HR the need for a full PEHQ to be sent to all applicants for
this position.
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