Job Description
Job title:
Whorrod Research Fellow in Sustainable Chemical
Technologies
Department/School:
Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT)
(Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering)
Grade:
8
Location:
Claverton Down Campus
Job purpose
The Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT) (www.bath.ac.uk/csct) is a
multidisciplinary University Research Centre at Bath. It involves over 50 academic staff
and incorporates the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Chemical
Technologies (SCT) which was established in 2009 and was recently funded by
EPSRC until 2023. The CDT has an annual intake of 10-15 PhD students (over 60
current students) all of whom undertake a 4-year integrated PhD in SCT involving both
research and training at the interface of chemistry and chemical engineering.
As a result of the University’s investment in this strategically important area and of a
generous endowment from Roger and Sue Whorrod, CSCT has created a number of
five-year Research Fellowships who contribute to CSCT research on an individual and
collaborative basis. Four Whorrod Fellows have already been appointed (in 2011 and
2013) and we are now seeking a fifth Fellow for appointment in mid 2015.
Primary roles of Whorrod Fellows include: (a) to conduct high quality research in
sustainable chemical technologies as an independent researcher, including securing
funding via research grants and/or fellowship applications and building a research
group appropriate to the Centre and the home department; (b) to contribute to the
supervision, training and research of graduate students within the CSCT; (c) to interact
with external partners of the CSCT; and (d) to promote research at the interface of
chemistry and chemical engineering.
Reports to:
The Head of Chemistry or the Head of Chemical Engineering as most appropriate to
the Fellow’s research interests.
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Staff management responsibility
Supervision of research students and other research staff as appropriate.
Special conditions
The Whorrod Endowment will provide each Fellow with a sum of money as a
contribution to research expenses (currently £8,000 pa). The Fellow will be expected to
provide a brief annual report summarising research activities and justifying expenditure
of this sum.
Main duties and responsibilities
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To establish a research group to undertake high impact research in
sustainable chemical technologies at the interface of chemistry and chemical
engineering. Develop research objectives, projects and proposals. Set
standards by scoping projects and identifying whether the project will deliver
on time and fulfil research grant proposals.
To publish in high quality peer-reviewed journals appropriate to the
discipline.
To attract external grant funding in order to support an independent research
programme and establish a research group.
To contribute to the supervision, training and research of graduate students.
Coach and support colleagues in developing their research techniques.
To develop an external research profile and reputation and international
research links, including with partners of the CSCT, through activities such as:
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Overseas research visits
Conference presentations
Conference organisation
Refereeing
Professional body activities
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To promote and engage in interdisciplinary research activities.
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To bring funding into the department through consultancy, exploitation of
intellectual property rights, or other knowledge or technology-transfer activities
as appropriate.
To contribute to the supervision, training and research of graduate students
within the CSCT.
Provide input into wider CSCT and departmental work and planning.
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Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
√ √
A PhD in relevant discipline
Experience/Knowledge
Postdoctoral experience in a relevant research field
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Demonstrated potential to attract research funds
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Published papers in high quality peer-reviewed journals
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Record of successful supervision of researchers
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Understanding of university research funding
mechanisms
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Engagement with relevant national and international
research communities
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Skills
Excellent presentation and communication skills (e.g. in
publishing and presenting research, training and
outreach activities)
Demonstrates the skills of an inspiring research
supervisor with broad interests across the subject area
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Demonstrates effective leadership, management,
organisational and administrative skills
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Attributes
Versatility, innovation and the ability to work in
interdisciplinary teams
Commitment to excellence in research, and to providing
the highest quality experience for students
Commitment to safe working practices
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Commitment to working within professional and ethical
codes of conduct
Commitment to collaborative and interdisciplinary
research
Organisation – able to plan and deliver work to meet
required deadlines
Tenacity – working to achieve own and team objectives
and to overcome obstacles
Ability to be an effective team worker
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