THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM

Job Title: Research Associate/Fellow

School/Department: School of Life Sciences

Salary: £25,513 - £30,434 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £28,695 with PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance

Job Family and Level: Research and Teaching Level 4

Contract Status: Fixed Term to 31 December 2015

Hours of Work: Full Time

Location: School of Life Sciences

Medical School, Nottingham

Reporting to: Dr Lucy Donaldson, Associate Professor

Purpose of the New Role:

To carry out research into the role of vascular growth factors in nociception and neuropathy in diabetes, with an emphasis on in vivo models of nociception. The research will be funded by a project grant from Diabetes UK and the University of Nottingham.

Main Responsibilities / % time per year
1. / In vivo nociceptive behaviour, maintenance of diabetic animals, induction of diabetes, in vivo perfusion fixation, monitoring of animal health and diabetic status. / 25%
2. / In vivo physiology, particularly in vivo neuronal recording. / 50%
2. / Learning new techniques in sensory physiology, developing novel models, interacting with different supervisors and mentors. Responsible for training of new researchers and ensuring that project objectives are achieved, and contributing to the research as a whole. Liaising with members of other groups/schools as necessary / 10%
3. / Presentation of research findings in concise and accurate form. / 5%
4. / Record keeping and operating with good laboratory practice / 5%
5. / Writing of research reports and papers in order to disseminate research results and develop a track record of published research findings in internationally respected peer-reviewed journals.
Further dissemination of results through invited oral and poster presentations at international meetings, conferences and seminars. / 5%

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications/ Education /

·  PhD (awarded or pending) in physiology or equivalent

/

PhD (awarded or pending) in areas of neuroprotection, growth factors or nociception

Skills/ Training/ Experience / ·  Specialist knowledge and experience of current research in nociception, specifically neurophysiology.
·  Knowledge and experience of in vivo animal models of nociceptive behaviour.
·  Significant laboratory experience, in one the following disciplines: nociceptive behaviour, sensory neuronal neurophysiological recording in vivo
·  Histology/immunohistochemistry (e.g. of the DRG, and cells in culture).
·  Good laboratory record keeping
·  Good safety record
·  Management of data in spread sheets
·  Excellent communication skills, able to communicate on all levels across many areas
·  Excellent experimental skills – particularly in the specific field
·  Extensive knowledge of both materials and the methods
·  Time management and project leadership skills
·  People management skills
·  Knowledge of Health and Safety and relevant regulations / ·  Staining for neurons, cell death markers, apoptosis, vascular growth factors
·  Experience with fluorescence microscopy
·  Computer literacy
Statutory/Legal / ·  Home office licence

Decision Making

i) taken independently by the role holder

·  Direction and performance of research on a day-to-day basis
·  Attendance of national conferences and training courses
·  Maintenance and repair of equipment and apparatus
·  Advice on consumable and small scale purchasing

ii) taken in collaboration with others

·  Direction of students/collaborators research
·  Investigation and decisions about new apparatus/equipment for the group
·  Publication decisions, papers, conference abstracts etc.
·  Proposals for grant applications

iii) referred to the appropriate line manager (please name) by the role holder

·  Wider research strategy of research group (Dr Donaldson, Prof Bates)
·  Purchase decisions >£1000 (Dr Donaldson, Prof Bates)
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