Job description & person
specification
Last updated:
8th September, 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Research Fellow in Marine Microbial Biogeochemistry
Post number:
Academic Unit/Service:
Ocean and Earth Science
Career pathway:
ERE*
*ERE category:
Research focused
Posts responsible to:
Dr. Phyllis Lam
Level:
4
Posts responsible for:
Post base:
Office-based/Non Office-based (see job hazard analysis)
Job purpose
To undertake research in accordance with the specified research project under the
supervision of the award holder.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
To develop and carry out an area of personal research.
50
2.
Regularly disseminate findings by taking the lead in preparing publication materials for
referred journals, presenting results at conferences, or exhibiting work at other
appropriate events.
15
3.
Collaborate/work on original research tasks with colleagues in other institutions.
10
4.
Contribute to the writing of bids for research funding.
5
5.
Carry out administrative tasks associated with specified research funding, for example
risk assessment of research activities, organisation of project meetings and
documentation. Implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely
formal reporting and financial control.
5
6.
Supervise the work of junior research staff.
5
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
7.
Carry out occasional undergraduate supervision, demonstrating or lecturing duties within
own area of expertise, under the direct guidance of a member of departmental academic
staff.
5
8.
Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post
holder.
5
Internal and external relationships (including nature and purpose of relationships)
Direct responsibility to holder of research award (Dr Phyllis Lam).
The appointee will be expected to work together with other co-investigators on this NERC-funded
project, Dr. Tom Bibby (Ocean and Earth Science), Dr. Paul Skipp (Centre for Biological Sciences) and Dr.
Andy Rees (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), as well as other project partners from institutions within and
outside the UK.
The appointee will be expected to work and collaborate with other members of the Marine
Biogeochemistry Group and the Institute for Life Sciences at Southampton, as well as at the National
Oceanography Centre Southampton. This may include contribution to the supervision of research
students within the group.
The appointee will also be expected to contribute to outreach activities to communicate our research
findings to stakeholders and the general public.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
How to be
assessed
Qualifications,
knowledge &
experience
PhD or equivalent professional
qualifications and experience in
Oceanography or other science
disciplines with a marine focus
Knowledge of marine microbial
ecology and molecular biology
Application/
interview
Detailed understanding and
knowledge of marine nitrogen
cycling and stable isotope
biogeochemistry
Teaching at undergraduate level and
contributing to teaching at
postgraduate level
Proven ability to conduct 15N-labeling
experiments, GC-IRMS analyses,
CARD-FISH, field sampling and
experimentation at sea
Planning &
organising
Document1
Able to organise own research
activities to deadline and quality
standards
Interview/
references
2
Problem solving
& initiative
Able to develop understanding of
complex problems and apply indepth knowledge to address them
Interview/
references
Able to develop original
techniques/methods
Management &
teamwork
Able to supervise work of junior
research staff, delegating effectively
Application/
interview/
references
Able to contribute to Academic Unit
management and administrative
processes
Work effectively in a team,
understanding the strengths and
weaknesses of others to help
teamwork development
Communicating
& influencing
Communicate new and complex
information effectively, both verbally
and in writing, engaging the interest
and enthusiasm of the target
audience
Application/
Interview/
references
Able to present research results at
group meetings and conferences
Able to write up research results for
publication in leading peer-viewed
journals
Work proactively with colleagues in
other work areas/institutions,
contributing specialist knowledge to
achieve outcomes
Other skills &
behaviours
Understanding of relevant Health &
Safety issues
Interview/
references
Positive attitude to colleagues and
students
Special
requirements
Able to join fieldwork campaigns
(ca. 1-6 weeks) at sea.
Interview
Occasionally travel to project partner
institutions for sample analyses and
discussions.
Able to attend national and
international conferences to present
research results.
Document1
3
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
OFFICE-BASED POST
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU) no further information needs to
be supplied.
NON-OFFICE BASED POST
If this post has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the
analysis below.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
√
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
√
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
n/a
n/a
n/a
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
n/a
n/a
n/a
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:

√
Use of various solvents and toxic chemicals associated with stable isotope analyses and cell fixation (e.g. ethanol,
liquid nitrogen, mercuric chloride, paraformaldehyde)
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
√
n/a
n/a
n/a
## Food handling
n/a
n/a
n/a
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
n/a
n/a
n/a
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
n/a
n/a
n/a
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
n/a
n/a
n/a
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
√
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
√
Repetitive pulling/pushing
√
Repetitive lifting
√
Standing for prolonged periods
√
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
√
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
Document1
√
n/a
n/a
n/a
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