Job description & person
specification
Last updated:
<date>
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Research Fellow
Academic Unit/Service:
Ocean and Earth Science
Faculty:
FNES
Career pathway:
ERE
*ERE category:
Research focused
Posts responsible to:
Principal Investigator (Level 5)
Posts responsible for:
None
Post base:
Primarily laboratory based
Level:
4
Job purpose
Generation of neodymium isotope and foraminiferal stable isotope records from marine
sediments. Data processing, interpretation & comparison of new records to existing data sets.
Data interpretation and dissemination/publication.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
Generation of neodymium isotope datasets
30
2.
Generation of foraminiferal stable isotope (oxygen and carbon) datasets
20
3.
Data processing, interpretation, and compilation
15
4.
Day-to-day collaboration with project members, project partners, laboratory technicians,
& research group staff
10
5.
Archiving, and publication of results
20
6.
Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post
holder.
5
7.
Internal and external relationships
Special Requirements: Person must be prepared to, at times, work outside standard working hours as
dictated by equipment availability. Person must be willing to travel to London to periodically work in the
laboratory of a project Co-Investigator at Imperial College. Person must be patient, careful and meticulous,
and capable to keep a clear lab-book and well-organised spreadsheet copy. Person must be computerliterate and capable of handling large sample and data sets.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
How to be
assessed
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
Skill level equivalent of PhD in earth and/or
ocean science.

Application
Knowledge of palaeoceanography

Applic./Interv.
Experience with clean laboratory geochemistry

Applic./Interv.
Experience with radiogenic isotope studies & data
collection (multi collector ICP-MS)

Applic./Interv.
Knowledge of Ocean and Climate Sciences

Applic./Interv.
Practical experience in interpretation of
chemical/isotope palaeoceanographic datasets

Applic./Interv.
Applic./Interv.
Experience with astronomical age model
development

Planning and Organising:
Able to organise own research activities to
deadline and quality standards

Interview
Ability to undertake well structured data
archiving

Interview

Interview

Interview
An organised and meticulous approach
Problem Solving and Initiative:
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Able to develop understanding of complex
problems and apply in-depth knowledge to
address them

Interview

Interview
Able to solicit ideas and opinions to help form
and adapt specific work plans

Interview
Work effectively in a team, understanding the
strengths and weaknesses of others to help
teamwork development

Interview

Interview
Able to present research results at group
meetings and conferences

Interview
Able to write up research results for publication
in leading peer-viewed journals

Interview
Work proactively with colleagues in other work
areas/institutions, contributing specialist
knowledge to achieve outcomes

Interview
Understanding of relevant Health & Safety issues

Interview
Positive attitude to colleagues and students

Interview
Ability to travel to London to perform laboratory
work at Imperial College

Interview
Flexibility to work outside standard hours when
needed.

Interview
Able to attend national and international
conferences to present research results

Interview
Able to develop original techniques/methods
Able to undertake advanced data quality control
and data reporting
Management and Teamwork:
Communicating and Influencing:
Communicate new and complex information
effectively, both verbally and in writing, engaging
the interest and enthusiasm of the target
audience
Other Skills and Behaviours:
Special Requirements:
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JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☐ Yes
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further
information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☒ No
If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use
of VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety
of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required
for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
O
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:

O
chemicals used in preparation of marine sediments for radiogenic isotope analysis
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
O
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
F
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
O
Lone working
O
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
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