Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION
1.
JOB INFORMATION
Post Title:
Postdoc Research Assistant (Algae Biofuel Project)
Grade:
6 point 22 - 24
Salary Range: £23,571 - £27,321 per annum (with possible progression to
£31,674 per annum)
Mode:
Full time (Fixed Term May 2010 - May 2013)
Ref No:
REQ000337
2.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Purpose
To complete contractual obligation of Carbon Trust funded research project (36
months duration to be in post by May 2010 – May 2013)
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/emerging-technologies/current-focus-areas/algaebiofuels-challenge/pages/algae-biofuels-challenge.aspx
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/emerging-technologies/current-focus-areas/Algaebiofuels-challenge/pages/research-partners.aspx
Main duties and responsibilities
To deliver an algal oil extraction process in which ultrasound and ionic liquid solvents
work in concert to efficiently recover the oils.

Scientific and Technological Objectives:
To design and construct algae culture facilities at a laboratory/pilot scale.

To determine the actual oil content from algal strains using conventional laboratory
techniques to act as standards for the subsequent optimisation of the ultrasonic
parameters.

To optimise conditions for the ultrasonic disruption of algae cells. Algal species have
been chosen based on relative oil yields and cell wall thickness.

To identify the specific advantages that accrue from a concurrent ultrasound and ionic
liquid extraction process.

To demonstrate the commercial viability of the process using this algal oil extraction
technology at a larger scale (20L reactor).

To liaise with colleagues involved in project to assist in the optimisation of the
process

To oversee those parts of the carbon trust project involving Coventry University and
relating to algae growth and testing in order to complete milestones and targets

To undertake direction of doctoral students allocated to the project

Writing Quarterly Reports for the programme

Preparation and delivery of presentations at meetings when required
AND such other duties as are within the scope and spirit of the job purpose, the title of the
post and its grading.






Duties OUTSIDE Job Description:
Initiated business activities within the Sonochemistry Centre
Day-to-day supervision of project and research students
Writing up of scientific papers for publication in International Journals
Attending and presenting research at relevant regional, national and international
scientific meetings and conferences
Possibly assist with a small amount of undergraduate or postgraduate teaching
Other admin tasks as set by line manager
Supervision Received
Dr E Joyce, Prof T J Mason
Supervision Given
PhD student to Carbon Trust Project
Contacts
Tim Mason, ext 8173, e-mail t.mason@coventry.ac.uk
3.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ATTRIBUTES
ESSENTIAL
ADVANTAGEOUS
Education/
Qualifications
BSc Ecology, Plant Biology,
Biological Sciences, Zoology
(or similar)
Post Graduate experience in
Ecological field
PhD in Ecology, Biological
Sciences (or similar)
Experience in a suitable field
involving plants and algae
Knowledge of Sonochemistry
Must have a background
working knowledge of algae
Knowledge of large-scale
processing
Experience
(Paid and Unpaid)
Plant Laboratory experience
to include algae and also the
analysis of algae material
(eg. HPLC)
Experience of working on
externally funded projects
Sonochemistry/
Sonoprocessing technical
experience
Job related skills/
Aptitudes
Ability to work on own and as
part of a team
Driving Licence
Good project/ time
management skills
Direction, training and
supervision of PhD student
working on this project
Able to meet milestones and
direct projects of EU nature
Ability to deal with
Industrialists and academics
and wide range of nontechnical personnel
Good presentation,
communications and written
skills
Willingness to travel
Interpersonal Skills
Ability to communicate with
personnel involved in project
Other Requirements
Variability on work days with
possibly the necessity of
working weekends especially
on overseas visits
None
4.
PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION AND APPOINTMENT
.1
Canvassing
You must disclose whether you are related to any employee of the University,
or to any member of the Governing Body. Canvassing for appointment disqualifies.
.2
Application Forms
Application forms should be completed in black ink or typescript to facilitate
photocopying. Please refer to the Guidelines for Applicants for further information on
completing the application form.
.3
Referees
Referees must be people who can comment authoritatively on you as a person and as
an employee and must include your current or most recent employer or his/her
authorised representative. Confidential references are taken up on candidates shortlisted for formal appointment interviews.
.4
Interviews
Appointment interviews to be held on 30th April 2010.
.5
Closing Date
The closing date for receiving applications is 19th April 2010. Applications should be
emailed to futures.hr@coventry.ac.uk or sent in an envelope marked “Confidential” for
the attention of the Recruitment Section, Human Resources Department, at the
address below.
5.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND CONTACT ADDRESS
HR Recruitment Department
James Starley Building
Priory Street
COVENTRY
CV1 5FB
Tel:
Fax:
e-mail:
024 7688 7814
024 7688 7815
futures.hr@coventry.ac.uk
For further vacancies, please visit www.coventry.ac.uk/job-vacancies
6.
COMMUNICATION WITH CANDIDATES
In the interest of economy, the University will only communicate further with short-listed
candidates. If you have not been contacted within 6-weeks of the closing date you
should assume that you have not been short-listed.