Job Description
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Postdoctoral Researcher
Science and Engineering/
Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences
Dr G. Ferrier
12 months (Fixed Term)
Academic
6
Research Band 6
No
FS0153
Details Specific to the Post
Background and Context
The Department of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences (GEES) is situated with the
Faculty of Science and Engineering and is based in the Cohen building on the Hull campus.
We currently have 25 academic staff, 9 research fellows, 9 administrative and technical
support staff, an intake of 130-140 undergraduates per year, and around 40 MSc and PhD
students. We consistently achieve high ratings in student satisfaction surveys and research
assessments, and have a friendly and lively academic community with much collaborative
research and teaching.
In RAE 2008, 90% of our work was at international level: 15% was judged to be of 4* standing,
40% at 3* and our research income is high and from a wide range of sources. A strong
performance is expected in REF 2014. Local research capability in GEES includes parallel
processing HPC, GIS and remote sensing computation in a dedicated Earth Observation
Laboratory, world-class facilities for physical modelling in our Departmental flume facility and
the Total Environment Simulator at The Deep Submarium in the city
(http://www2.hull.ac.uk/tes). We also have a Controlled Environment Laboratory for smallerscale biogeochemical experiments, hydrofluoric acid digestion and chemical analysis
preparation facilities, and transmitted and reflected light microscopy.
The post is part of a project funded by the STFC Challenge-Led Applied Systems Programme
(CLASP) jointly led by the University of Hull and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL)
under the supervision of Dr Graham Ferrier. The project also involves BP and the National
Physical Laboratory (NPL) to develop a low cost, field portable, Imaging Fourier Transform
Interferometer (FTIR) for gas leak detection in the petrochemical industry. The role will involve
visits to laboratories at RAL and the NPL, and to the BP facilities in Hull. The post-holder will
be expected to work collaboratively with staff from BP, RAL and the NPL.
The principal duties of the post are related to the development of a gas identification and
quantification software package utilising the unique capabilities of the field portable FTIR
developed in the first phase of this project at RAL. An initial phase of testing at NPL will enable
validation and calibration of techniques and methods which are intended to identify, image
and quantify fugitive and area source emissions. The final phase of the project will involve onsite testing and evaluation at the BP facilities at Saltend near Hull.
This project offers the post-holder the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from worldleading research groups and to gain experience working with scientists from BP.
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Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the post
The post holder will work specifically to:
1. Develop software to identify the key gas species present at the BP facilities in Hull
2. Develop image processing algorithms to quantify the dispersion and flux of the key gas
species present
3. Undertake a series of field tests and evaluation of the Imaging FTIR and software
The post holder will also assist with analysis and interpretation of results and disseminating
these results to other partners in the project through a number of meetings and workshops
which will also involve external collaborators, and also by writing research reports and
publications. Academic supervision and technical guidance will be provided by senior
members of the team.
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GENERIC JOB DESCRIPTION
The job duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature
of the role. The duties and responsibilities and the balance between the elements in the role
may change or vary over time depending on the specific needs at a specific point in time or
due to changing needs in the department. Candidates should note that there may not be an
immediate requirement to carry out all the activities listed below.
Overall Purpose of the Role
This is an entry level post and may be suitable for those planning to train and develop their
research skills so that they may take on a more senior research post in the future.
Research Staff at this level will assist an individual research leader or team to carry out a
particular study or studies.
The research assistant will receive close supervision and direction from more senior
colleagues and will receive academic, pastoral support and guidance which may include
specific training, career counselling and mentoring.
The main focus of the work will involve the generation or collection of data using standard
methods which have been developed by others. The role holder will assist with analysis and
interpretation of results and the drafting of research reports and publications.
Main Work Activities
1. Pro-actively contribute to the research project and conduct own research to include:
 Gather, prepare, analyse and interpret data
 Conduct literature and database searches
 Write up and present own research results
2. Contribute to the management of research projects to include:
 Contribute to the planning of projects
 Plan own research activity within the framework of the agreed programme
3. Prepare reports and papers describing the results of the research for both internal and
external publication to include:
 Contribute to the production of research reports and publications
 Present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies
supervising research
4. Work positively with colleagues in the research team and other collaborators and
partners and support staff on routine matters both inside and outside the University
 Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding
and form relationships for future collaboration.
 Actively participate as a member of the research team which will involve
attending and contributing to relevant meetings.
5. Provide guidance as required to support staff and any project students who may be
assisting with the research.
6. Demonstrate evidence of own personal and professional development including:
 Appraisal, induction and performance reviews
 Participation in training and development activity
 Maintenance of links with professional institutions and other related bodies
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Additionally the post holder will be required to:
 Fulfil the employees’ duties described in the University’s health and safety policies
and co-operate with the health and safety arrangements in place within the department.
May be required to undertake specific health and safety roles on request e.g. Display
screen equipment assessor, departmental safety officer, fire warden
 Show a commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices
This includes undertaking mandatory equality and diversity training
 Comply with University regulations, policies and procedures
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PERSON SPECIFICATION – Research Band 6
Specification
Essential

Education and Training
Formal qualifications and relevant
training


Work Experience
Ability to undertake duties of the post

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Skills and Knowledge

Includes abilities and intellect

Personal Qualities
Includes any specific physical
requirements of the post – (subject to
the provisions of the Equality Act 2010)


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Desirable
Completed, or be in the final stages of, a PhD
in an appropriate branch of physics,
chemistry, environmental science, remote
sensing or engineering.
BSc, BA or Masters degree in relevant
discipline

PhD training will ideally be based
on gas identification and analysis

Experience of computer programming and
analysis of complex datasets
Data collection
Analysis and interpretation of results
Drafting research reports, participating in
scientific conferences and contributing to
drafting scientific publications

Experience of development and
implementation of gas
identification analysis or related
relevant applications, ideally
using FTIR spectroscopy
Experience of the development
and implementation of image
processing Algorithms in a userled context.
Evidence of participation in networks that
seek to promote research collaboration
Evidence of effective management of
resources

Be willing and able to plan, prioritise and
organise work to achieve pre-defined
outcomes with support from senior
colleagues.
The ability to receive, understand and convey
information which needs careful explanation
to a broad audience.
Self-reliant with the ability to work accurately
with meticulous attention to detail.
Ability to use initiative, reasoning
and creativity to solve problems
as part of a team.
Examples Measured by
Application
Interview
Other
Application
Interview
Other
Application
Interview
Other
Application
Interview
Other
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Be willing and able to work effectively as an
active and collegial team member and to
work productively with colleagues.
Commitment to continued personal and
professional development and training in
experimental techniques and analysis.
A positive contribution to University activities
and initiatives including open days,
graduation ceremonies etc and willingness to
undertake administrative activities
Evidence of working in an open and
transparent way, providing information and
communicating effectively with colleagues