Role Profile – Grade 5 ARE
Researcher 1B
Job Title:
Researcher 1B
Generic Post Title:
Researcher 1B
Reporting to:
Head of Department
School/
Department:
School of Health & Life Sciences
Grade:
5
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
Job Family:
Academic, Research Enterprise
Main Purpose
of the Role:
To contribute to specified research project/projects with direction from the lead
researcher/researchers. To facilitate the timeous completion of research projects.
Summary of
Activity:
Information on the Project:
Allogeneic transplantation is today the only successful therapy for several life-threatening diseases.
However, organ donation only partially meets the demand and many patients still die while waiting
for transplantation. Cellular transplantation represents a very successful tool to treat type 1 diabetes
mellitus (T1DM) by transplantation of human islets. Unfortunately, islet allo-transplantation suffers
from comparable limitations which is further aggravated by the fact that more than one donor is
regularly needed to treat one T1DM recipient. Although human stem cells may solve these problems
in the future, there are still several major hurdles that preclude their use for clinical applications.
XENOISLET is a EUFP7 funded project that builds on the success of prior major investment by the
European Commission, represented by the FP6 large-scale collaborative XENOME, project to develop
transgenic pigs for organ xenotransplantation into humans. The major success of XENOME in the field
of cellular xenotransplantation allowed the focus of XENOISLET to provide a superior solution for
patients suffering from T1DM.
The use of animal cells for xenotransplantation products involves an adequately designed program to
produce grafts with an appropriate level of biosafety and bioactivity. Accordingly, the aims of the
project are to monitor for porcine pathogens, assess the pathogenic risk in in vitro and in vivo models,
and to optimise suitable assays for pathogen detection in recipients and donors.
http://xenoislet.eu/
Description of work:
The use of animal cells for xenotransplantation products involves an adequately designed program to
produce grafts with an appropriate level of biosafety and bioactivity. Accordingly, the aims of the
project are to monitor for porcine pathogens, assess the pathogenic risk in in vitro and in vivo models,
and to optimise suitable assays for pathogen detection in recipients and donors. Work will involve the
preparation of nucleic acid from samples provided by the other work packages and the analysis of
these samples for designated pathogens. Co-culture for transmission studies is also required as is
establishment of new assays for high throughput detection purposes.
Examples of role specific activity include:
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Develop quantitative virological assays for a number of different viruses
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To develop new assays for viral detection
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To prepare and assess all samples from animals and pre-clinical models for virus presence
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To keep up to date with current literature and liaise with EU counterparts
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Report data to PI and provide summary reports on a 6 monthly basis
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To attend EU meetings to present data and advise
Grade 5 Researcher 1B
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Academic, Research Enterprise
Role Profile – Grade 5 ARE
Researcher 1B

To contribute to report writing and to presentations to external bodies
Examples of generic activity include:
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Contribute to the development of research design.
Contribute to the generation of original ideas based on outcomes.
Conduct literature and database searches.
Continually update knowledge in area of specialism.
Prepare reports and present findings to lead researcher and internal colleagues.
Assist in the production of papers and presentations for committees and conferences.
Attend and contribute to relevant meetings.
Liaise and network internally and externally to exchange information for effective working with
research partners.
Plan personal day to day work profile to achieve the outcomes of the specified research
project/projects.
Participate in the work of the research team.
Use research resources efficiently and effectively to achieve outcomes.
Plan, prioritise and organise own workload and be involved in planning and organising research
projects and events
Solve day-to-day problems as they arise on a routine basis and recognise when a problem should
be referred to others.
Demonstrate care and sensitivity towards the needs of staff and students including the
supervision of undergraduates and postgraduates.
Demonstrate awareness of risks in the work environment and potential impact on self and others,
preparation of risk assessments and GM applications.
Balance competing work priorities.
Support the contribution of the research area to the development of learning and teaching within
the department.
Responsible for co-operating and complying with University and Local Health and Safety
regulations, standards and processes.
Any other tasks appropriate to the post and in line with School/Department business needs.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Evidence
Education,
Qualifications
& Training
Educated to degree level.
PhD.
Application
Professional qualification in relevant
subject.
Grade 5 Researcher 1B
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Qualifications
Academic, Research Enterprise
Role Profile – Grade 5 ARE
Researcher 1B
Skills,
Knowledge &
Competencies
Good understanding of qualitative
research methods.
Application
Training and experience of
qualitative research data collection
and analysis.
References
Interview
Evidence of good written and oral
communication skills; ability to
summarise and present qualitative
data analyses.
Experience of conducting research.
Flexible, co-operative, selfmotivated, hardworking and willing
to learn new skills.
A willingness to work on a variety of
tasks to achieve prioritised goals in a
timely fashion.
The ability to work effectively as part
of a team, and the initiative and
capacity to work effectively alone to
agreed priorities.
Good time management and
organisational skills, ability to use
initiative, proven ability to work to
deadlines.
Proficient in IT skills and use of data
packages.
Ability to work under pressure and
meet deadlines.
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Academic, Research Enterprise
Generic HERA Activity – Grade 5 ARE
Researcher 1B
1
Communication
This element includes communication through written/electronic/visual/verbal means, and in both informal/formal
situations. This may include the need to convey basic factual information clearly and accurately, conveying
information in the most appropriate format and explaining complex or detailed specialist information.
Required to clarify matters of a non-routine nature, to use language over and above that is found in every day
conversation and will be expected to place the contents in a logical order, choose an appropriate method of
delivery and employ techniques to ensure understanding and may be required to convey and understand
communication of a complex or conceptual nature.
2
Teamwork and Motivation
This element includes team work and team leadership when working in both internal and external teams. This may
include the need to contribute as an active member of the team, motivating others in the team and providing
leadership and direction for the team.
Required to offer mutual support to colleagues in a team where the members are all pulling together. This may
be in a self directed or leaderless team, or in a team with a remote leader. For example a member of staff who
as part of a team is expected to act as a role model to less experienced colleagues and supports their work as
required.
3
Liaison and Networking
This element includes liaising with others both within and outside the institution and creating networks of useful
contacts. This may include passing on information promptly to colleagues, ensuring mutual exchange of information,
influencing developments through one’s contacts and building an external reputation.
Liaison and networking for the purpose of the exchanging of information for effective working and occasionally
required to participate in groups or networks outside their immediate work team.
4
Service Delivery
This element includes the provision of help and assistance to a high standard of service to students, visitors,
members of staff and other users of the institution. This may include reacting to requests for information or advice,
actively offering or promoting the services of the institution to others and setting the overall standards of service
offered.
Responds to requests for information, provides answers to questions regularly posed, drawing upon preprepared materials for the answers, responds to breakdowns, system or mechanical failures or predictable
requests for help.
5
Decision Making Processes and Outcomes
This element includes the impact of decisions within the institution and externally. This may include decisions which
impact on one’s own work or team, decisions which impact across the institution and decisions which could have
significant impact in the longer term within or outside the institution.
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Academic, Research Enterprise
Generic HERA Activity – Grade 5 ARE
Researcher 1B
Independent decision making that affects only the individual or immediate colleagues and can be undone quickly
with little implication, collaborative decision making between individual and manager around work matters and
informing others decision making by making recommendations around development of research projects or
operational options.
6
Planning and Organising Resources
This element includes organising, prioritising and planning time and resources, be they human, physical or financial.
This may include planning and organising one’s own work, planning work for others on day to day tasks or on projects,
carrying out operational planning and planning for coming years.
Expected to decide own pattern of work and select the order in which tasks are completed, ensuring the
required output is achieved.
7
Initiative and Problem Solving
This element includes identifying or developing options and selecting solutions to problems which occur in the role.
This may include using initiative to select from available options, resolving problems where an immediate solution
may not be apparent, dealing with complex problems and anticipating problems which could have major
repercussions.
Expected to use judgement to resolve problems that are predictable but occur less frequently.
8
Analysis and Research
This element includes investigating issues, analysing information and carrying out research. This may include
following standard procedures to gather and analyse data, identifying and designing appropriate methods of
research, collating and analysing a range of data from different sources and establishing new methods or models for
research, setting the context for research.
Required to decide how to conduct the investigation as well as analyse and interpret the results.
9
Sensory and Physical Demands
This element includes the sensory and physical aspects of the role required to complete tasks. This may include
physical effort, co-ordination and dexterity, using aural evidence to assess next actions, applying skilled techniques
and co-ordinating sensory information and high levels of dexterity where precision or accuracy is essential.
Will need skills obtained through practice over a period of time or during practical training. Care, precision and
accuracy will be normally expected.
10 Work Environment
This element includes the impact the working environment has on the individual and their ability to respond to and
control that environment safely. This may include such things as the temperature, noise or fumes, the work position
and working in an outdoor environment.
Based in the sort of working environment that has little impact on the way in which the work is performed and
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Academic, Research Enterprise
Generic HERA Activity – Grade 5 ARE
Researcher 1B
presents a low level of risk and may undertake regular activity for which using standard protective clothing or
safety equipment, and following standard procedures is required.
11 Pastoral Care and Welfare
This element includes the welfare and well being of students and staff within the institution, in both informal and
formal situations. This may include the need to be aware of the support services available, giving supportive advice
and guidance and counselling others on specific issues.
May be required to show sensitivity to and consideration of other people's needs or feelings which may include
dealing with signs of obvious distress.
12 Team Development
This element includes the development of the skills and knowledge of others in the work team. This may include the
induction of new colleagues, coaching and appraising any individuals who are supervised, mentored or managed by the
role holder and giving guidance or advice to one’s peers or supervisor on specific aspects of work.
Could be responsible for providing training or instruction to other members of the work team on a regular basis.
13 Teaching and Learning Support
This element includes the development of the skills and knowledge of students and others who are not part of the work
team. This may include providing instruction to students or others when they are first using a particular service or
working in a particular area, carrying out standard training and the assessment and teaching of students.
N/A
14 Knowledge and Experience
This element includes the relevant knowledge needed to carry out the role, however acquired, whether this is technical,
professional or specialist. This may include the need for sufficient experience to carry out basic, day to day
responsibilities, the need for a breadth or depth of experience to act as a point of reference for others and the need to
act as a leading authority in one’s field or discipline.
Required to possess specialist or professional knowledge of general principles, expected to engage in appropriate
professional activities to keep his or her knowledge base and skills up to date and to develop them further.
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Academic, Research Enterprise