THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Research Associate/Fellow in Mathematical/Computational
Modelling (fixed-term)
School/Department:
School of Biosciences, Centre for Plant Integrative Biology
Salary:
£25,513 - £37,394 per annum (minimum £28,695 with
relevant PhD), depending on skills and experience. Salary
progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.
Job Family and Level:
Research and Teaching level 4
Contract Status:
This position is available from 1 October 2015 and will be
offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of 36 months.
Hours of Work:
Full-time
Location:
Sutton Bonington Campus
Reporting to:
Dr Leah Band and Dr Darren Wells
Purpose of the New Role:
To carry out research on an interdisciplinary BBSRC-funded project entitled “Analysing how
auxin dynamics control plant root phenotype”. Working closely with an experimental research
fellow, the post holder will develop mathematical and computational models to address the
principle goals of the project: 1) to analyse the roles of different auxin-transport components
in controlling distribution, 2) to develop novel methods to parameterise and test the models,
and 3) use the models to determine how auxin controls growth, gravitropism and lateral root
initiation. The post holder will work closely with Dr Leah Band, who will lead the project, and
Dr Darren Wells, who will lead the experimental programme.
Main Responsibilities
1.
To undertake research to develop mathematical and computational models
that analyse how auxin dynamics control plant root phenotype.
% time
per year
85%
Research expertise will be required in the following areas:
1. differential-equation models to describe transport within multicellular plant
tissues,
2. computer programming (using and extending the vertex-based modelling
framework established within the group),
3. multiscale modelling, incorporating network dynamics, transport and
growth.
4. parameter optimization,
5. asymptotic analysis,
6. excellent communication skills and ability to contribute to an
interdisciplinary team.
2.
Liaise with members of the project and other collaborators.
3.
To prepare results for publication in leading journals, generating written
progress reports and presentations as required, and any other duties
appropriate to the grade and role of the post holder.
5%
10%
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications/
Education
Skills/Training



Experience


Essential
Candidates must hold or be near
completion of a PhD which
contains a significant amount of
mathematical or computational
modelling of biological processes
Excellent
modelling
skills
–
particularly within this specific
field.
Excellent communication skills,
able to communicate on all levels
across many areas.
Ability to work successfully as
part of an interdisciplinary team.
Programming skills.
Experience of mathematical or
computational
modelling
of
biological processes.
Desirable




Expertise
in
differentialequation models, multiscale
modelling, model simulation,
parameter
optimization
and/or asymptotic analysis.
Presentation skills.
Knowledge of plant science.
Publication record
commensurate with level of
experience.
Decision Making
i)




To have day to day responsibility for the conduct and satisfactory progress of the research.
To generate personal progress reports.
To keep current with the relevant literature.
Attendance at national conferences & training courses.
ii)






taken independently by the role holder
taken in collaboration with others
To communicate with the experimental PDPR on the project to help ensure models
correctly interpret biological data.
To communicate with the other collaborators and attend meetings with them as required.
To contribute ideas and be involved with the longer term planning of the project in
consultation with Dr Leah Band and Dr Darren Wells.
To share their expertise with more junior members of the group, e.g., research students.
To contribute to group meetings.
To prepare research papers for publication in leading journals, in conjunction with Dr Band
and Dr Wells and other members of staff.
iii) referred to the appropriate line manager (please name) by the role holder

Overall management and direction of their research programme funded by the grant.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Leah Band, email leah.band@nottingham.ac.uk.
Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.