THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM
Job Title:
Research Technician: Sheep Performance Improvement
through Lameness Monitoring and Management
School/Department:
School of Veterinary Medicine and Science
Salary:
22,029 – 26,274 per annum pro-rata depending on
qualifications and experience.
Job Family and Level:
Technical Services Level 3
Contract Status:
Fixed term until 31st July 2017
Reporting to:
Dr Jasmeet Kaler
The Purpose of this Role:
The overall purpose of this role is to provide full technical support to Innovate funded research
project at University of Nottingham. The project aims to improve sheep lameness through
development and field testing of innovative technology for data collection, monitoring and
managing lameness on farms.
Main Responsibilities
1.
2.
3.
4.
Responsible for planning and undertaking of research trial as scheduled in
project proposal, including driving to sheep farms unaccompanied and
leading data collection and working alongside other fieldsman.
This will include:
1) using scientific protocols to collect data on lameness and other sheep
and farm parameters e.g. lameness scoring, lesion score, body
condition score etc.
2) designing and administering on farm questionnaire and interviews
with farmers
3) technical support to farmers in use of technology developed in the
project
4) providing training to other fieldsman on use of technology, lameness
data collection and the setting up of experiments for the trial.
Responsible for liaising with farmers in the study and answering queries in
timely manner
To carry out data entry and assist in basic quantitative and qualitative
analysis using various software packages
Responsible for storing electronic data and keeping web-sites up to date
(including ensuring quality assurance standards are maintained)
% time
of the
year
45%
5%
25%
5%
5.
7.
8.
Management the project on a day to day, Monitoring progress and advising
the PI of any issues likely to lead to a delay in the project.
Communications including attending weekly research group meetings,
quarterly project meetings and sharing/contributing ideas, communication
with other industry stakeholders
5%
Preparing of accurate report documents from basic analysis of field trial data
on lameness
10%
5%
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications/
Education
Essential
Minimum of HNC in relevant subject,
or equivalent qualifications, plus
considerable work experience in a
relevant role.
Desirable
A degree in Animal science or
agriculture or veterinary
Knowledge/Skills
/Training
Proficient in moving, catching and
handling sheep
Basic understanding of
statistics
Knowledge of livestock farming in UK
Proven report writing skills.
Knowledge of data recording and data
base management
Proven ability to work on own
initiative as well as part of a team
Proven problem solving skills
Very Good IT Skills (Microsoft office)
Good customer relation skills.
Experience
Experience in animal health /
husbandry.
Experience of working with sheep
Other
Willing to travel to farms
Full UK driving license
Ability to communicate effectively
with staff at all levels both verbal and
written
Statutory/Legal
Decision Making
i) taken independently by the role holder;
•
Organisation of daily and weekly research duties
•
•
Record ongoing data collected and basic analysis
Monitors standards in own area of work
ii) taken in collaboration with others;

Use judgement to seek appropriate help / assistance on non-routine and/or complex
matters

Advice on unfamiliar procedures

Health and Safety issues
iii) referred to appropriate line manager (Grant PI/Group leader) by the role holder.
•
Resolution of complex problems
•
Issues regarding technical aspects of analysis
•
General unforeseen issues with the trial
Additional Information
Project: SPILaMM-Sheep Performance Improvement through Lameness Monitoring and
Management
This project is funded by Innovate UK and involves and academic and industry consortium with
industry partners as Dunbia and Farm Wizard and University of Nottingham as academic lead. The
project seeks to address the challenge of sheep lameness, a predominant cause of both poor
productive and reproductive performance causing a reduction in product value to the farmer,
processor, retailer and consumer. We will be conducting a research trial to investigate the primary
contributing factors and assess the effectiveness of the proposed lameness data collection and
feedback systems (using innovative hardware and software) in facilitating a targeted risk based
control strategy. By researching this consortium intends to reduce lameness, improve production
and welfare on farms. The appointed individual will join Dr Kaler’s research team.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to: Jasmeet Kaler tel: 0115 9516564 Or email
jasmeet.kaler@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address
will not be accepted.
The University of Nottingham strongly endorses Athena SWAN principles,
with commitment from all levels of the organisation in furthering women’s
careers. It is our mission to ensure equal opportunity, best working
practices and fair policies for all.