Benchmark Role Profile for Research Fellow
Version 2.0
Last amended: March 2013
THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Research Fellow
School/Department:
Geography
Salary:
£28,695 - £37,394
Job Family and Level:
Research and Teaching Level 4
Contract Status:
3 years, fixed term
Hours of Work:
Full-time (36.25 hours)
Location:
Clive Granger Building, School of Geography
Reporting to:
Prof Melanie Leng and Dr Suzanne McGowan
per annum, depending on skills
and experience. Salary progression beyond this
scale is subject to performance
Purpose of the Role:
The purpose of this role will be to have specific responsibility for research, for developing
research objectives and proposals for research projects that fit within the remit of the Centre
for Environmental Geochemistry. The main focus of the research will be to investigate recent
human impacts on Asian lakes and wetlands including pollution, land development, invasive
species, hydrological modification and climate change using geochemical methods. The person
appointed will be expected to plan and conduct work using approaches or methodologies and
techniques appropriate to the type of research, and will be responsible for writing up their
work for publication.
The person appointed will have the opportunity to use their initiative and creativity to identify
areas for research, develop research methods and extend their research portfolio.
Main Responsibilities
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To develop research objectives and proposals for own and/or collaborative research
area within the Centre for Environmental Geochemistry.
To plan and conduct research using geochemistry and limnological techniques.
To analyse and illuminate data, interpret reports, evaluate and criticise texts and bring
new insights to research area.
To write up research work for publication and/or contribute to the dissemination at
national/international conferences, resulting in successful research outputs.
To identify opportunities and write bids for research grant applications. Prepare
proposals and applications to both external and/or internal bodies for funding,
contractual or accreditation purposes.
To build relationships with both internal and external contacts in order to exchange
information, to form relationships for future collaborations and identify potential
sources of funds and/or opportunities for collaboration.
To co-ordinate the operational aspect of research networks, for example, arranging
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meetings and updating web sites etc and contribute to collaborative decision making
with colleagues in area of research.
To provide support, guidance and supervision to other staff, where appropriate in own
area of expertise.
To supervise undergraduate and/or postgraduate students projects, fieldwork and
placements, as appropriate. To participate in the assessment of student knowledge and
co-supervise projects at Masters level.
To collaborate with academic colleagues on areas of shared interest for example,
course development, collaborative or joint research projects.
To plan and manage own research activity and resolve problems, if required, in
meeting own/team research objectives and deadlines in collaboration with others.
To utilise and contribute to organising research resources and facilities, laboratories
and workshops as appropriate.
To make a contribution to teaching, for example through laboratory demonstrations,
lectures to postgraduate workshops and/or delivery of modules.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications/
Education
PhD or equivalent in a relevant area
(geochemistry and limnology) or the
equivalent in professional
qualifications and experience in
research area.
Skills/Training
Excellent oral and written
communication skills, including the
ability to communicate with clarity on
complex information.
Proven publication record.
High critical ability to analyse and
illuminate data, interpret reports,
evaluate and criticise texts and bring
new insights.
Ability to creatively apply relevant
research approaches, models,
techniques and methods.
Ability to assess and organise
resource requirements and deploy
effectively.
Ability to build relationships and
collaborate with others, both
internally and externally.
Have skills that will support the remit
of the Centre for Environmental
Geochemistry.
Ability to support PhD research
training across a broad range of
environmental geoscience.
Flexibility to adapt to different
working cultures and conditions as
encountered in international projects
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Desirable
Ability to foster a research
culture and commitment to learn
in others.
Publications in high impact
journals.
First aid training.
Boat handling qualification.
Experience with COSHH and risk
assessment.
Experience
Experience in palaeoenvironmental
change research
Work in a multi-cultural context
as part of an international team.
Palaeolimnology including modern
process research.
Geochemistry applied to recent
environmental change.
Stable isotopes in
palaeoenvironmental research.
Field experience of lake sediment
coring.
Practical experience of applying the
specialist skills and approaches and
techniques required for the role.
Previous success in gaining support
for externally funded research
projects.
Experience in use of research
methodologies and techniques to
work within area.
Statutory/Legal
Must be able to get a visa for UK,
Malaysia and China.
Full UK driving licence is essential.
Decision Making
i) Taken independently by the role holder;
 Planning general research programme and direction.
 Making individual/team decisions about design and conduct of particular research methods
experiments.
 To prepare applications for new research funding.
 Maintenance and repair of equipment and apparatus.
 Advice on consumable and small scale purchasing.
ii) Taken in collaboration with others;
 Collaborative research applications.
 Direction of students/collaborators research.
 Investigation and decisions about new apparatus/equipment for the group.
 Publication decisions, papers, conference abstracts etc.
 Proposals for grant application.
 Strategy for long term research programme.
iii) Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder
 Wider research strategy of our research group.
 Purchase decisions <£1000.
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