Research Associate

Job title:

Research Associate

Company

Cardiff University

Job description

School / DirectorateSchool of MedicineAdvertResearch Associate
Division of Cancer and Genetics
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life SciencesWe seek to appoint a Research Associate, to work within the Viral ImmunoTherapies and Advanced therapeutics Laboratory (VITAL), based within the Division of Cancer and Genetics at Cardiff University School of Medicine. The post will be funded by Cancer Research Wales.VITAL is a well-funded research laboratory developing cutting edge, next generation advanced therapeutics for the treatment of recalcitrant cancers. The laboratory hosts >20 researchers comprising research staff, PhD students and technical support staff, and is based at the flagship Cancer Genetics Building based at the Heath Park campus.The appointee will contribute to the development of adenoviral vectors by producing and evaluating the biological activity of recombinant viruses. The successful applicant will have previous experience in molecular biology, virus production and immunology.The appointee will be a collaborative, diligent and an effective communicator with excellent organisational and administrative skills to meet the many and varied aspects of the role. They will have proven experience of adapting to the needs of diverse partnerships, developing networks and problem solving.Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave pro rata (including bank holidays), pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Alan Parker – e-mail ParkerAL@cardiff.ac.uk.This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed term until 31 May 2026 and is available from 1 November 2024.Salary: £39,347 – £44,263 per annum (Grade 6). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances, however, for this position, the starting salary is capped at £39,347 (point 32) due to limited funding.Closing date: 12 August 2024Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:Post Reference Number18906BRJob DescriptionJob PurposeTo conduct research within the area novel oncolytic virotherapies, and their application in glioma (brain cancers). The candidate will have experience in the genetic engineering of viral vector platforms for translational applications, as well as producing and testing these agents for their ability to stimulate immune mediated cancer cell killing. They will contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of work in high-quality journals. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.Duties and Responsibilities
Research

• To conduct research designing, constructing and evaluating of novel adenovirus based oncolytic virotherapies for the treatment of glioma and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Other

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role

Salary Range Max.44,263GradeGrade 6Salary Range Min.39,347Job CategoryAcademic – ResearchAdditional InformationHow we will support you in performing in this role –There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience. We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:1. Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2. An experienced and supportive team around you
3. Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4. A mentoring schemeIMPORTANT: Evidencing CriteriaIt is School of Medicine’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 18906BR.If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.Career PathwayResearchPerson SpecificationEssential CriteriaQualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or equivalent or relevant industrial experienceKnowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
i. Viral vectors – including vector design, propagation, characterisation and evaluation
ii. Cell biology – including assays for cell viability, cell signalling and reporter gene assays
iii. Immunology – including assays to quantify immune cell activation3. Knowledge of current status of research in advanced cancer therapies, especially oncolytic virotherapies and cancer immunotherapies4. Proven ability to publish in national journals and contribute peer reviewed abstracts to national and/or international conferences5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodiesCommunication and Team Working
6. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication7. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individualsOther
8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within workDesirable Criteria9. Previous experience of working in glioma research10. Relevant professional qualification(s) and/or memberships of professional societies11. Evidence of collaborations with industry12. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community13. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School

Expected salary

£39347 – 44263 per year

Location

Wales

Job date

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 01:22:02 GMT

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