Job Description and Person Specification (HR5)
Post Number: /
Job Description
School/Academic Unit: / Geography and Environment
Post Title: / Senior Research Assistant/Research Fellow in mapping human migration and malaria
Please enter Level under appropriate Career Pathway / ERE / TAE / MSA / CAO / R.Nurse / Clinical
4
ERE & Clinical Posts: Please indicate the category / Academic Posts / Non-Academic Posts
Teaching & Research / Research
only / Teaching
only / Enterprise / Education Development
X
Posts Responsible to (and Level): / Dr Andy Tatem, Dr Julia Branson
Posts Responsible for (and Level): / No supervisory responsibility
Job Purpose:
To assist with work on a new Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation project focussed on assessing and mapping how human migration connects malaria endemic regions of the world.
Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities (6-10 bullet points maximum)
  • Collection and assembly of a database of vector and raster datasets covering Africa, Asia and Central / South America
  • Supporting the processing and mapping of human migration data and models
  • Harmonizing raster datasets to common projections, gridding, coastline
  • Documentation of datasets and procedures, creation of project reports, contributing to research publications
  • Attendance at project meetings and conferences
  • Other tasks as required to support the malaria and migration project
/ % Time
35
35
10
10
5
5
Internal & External Relationships: (nature & purpose of relationships)
  • The role-holder will work under the supervision of Dr Andrew Tatem, Geography and Environment. He will provide direction and guidance for the research work to be undertaken.
  • Role holder will be required to liaise with other researchers at Southampton and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who are working on the migration and similar projects

Person Specification
Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How to be assessed
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
Undergraduate degree with a strong specialisation in GIS, or previous industry experience of GIS
Postgraduate degree in GIS or related subject
Experience at working with large gridded 'raster' datasets
Advanced user of ArcGIS software
Experience in spatial database development
Computer programming / modelling / automation experience, e.g. python, model builder, FME, VBA
Knowledge and experience of spatial statistical methods
Familiarity with spatial visualization tools and methods
Experience in dealing with the design and distribution of open access datasets
Experience of working with datasets from Africa, Asia and / or Central / South America
Experience of working with datasets presented in a variety of projections / √
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CV
CV, interview
CV, interview
CV, interview
CV, Interview
CV, Interview
CV, Interview
CV, Interview
CV, Interview
Interview
Planning and Organising:
Able to organise own research activities to deadline and quality standards
Able to plan and organise own workload in the absence of supervision
Ability to work on several tasks at once and able to set appropriate priorities / √
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√ / Interview
Interview
Interview
Problem Solving and Initiative:
Proven ability to manage research projects, meeting defined milestones on time
Able to develop understanding of complex problems and apply in-depth knowledge to address them / √
√ / CV, Interview
Interview
Management and Teamwork:
Work effectively in a team, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of others to help teamwork development / √ / Interview
Communicating and Influencing:
Work proactively with colleagues in other work areas and institutions, contributing specialist knowledge to achieve outcomes
Ability to communicate complex ideas to non-experts
Excellent written and verbal English, including experience writing research publications and reports. / √
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√ / Interview
Interview
CV, Interview
Other Skills and Behaviours:
Positive attitude to colleagues
Willing and able to attend meetings and conferences outside Southampton, overnight stays away may be required
Understanding of relevant Health & Safety issues / √
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√ / Interview
Interview
Interview

Job Hazard Analysis Form - Appendix to Job and Person Specification

Please tick one of the following statements:

This post is an office-based job with routine office hazards e.g. use of VDU (if ticked, no further information needs to be supplied) / X
This post has some hazards other than routine office e.g. more than use of VDU

Please tick all those that apply, and put N/A if not applicable

Environmental Exposures / O* / F / C
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg fridge/ furnace)
Potential for exposure to body fluids ##
Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa) ##
Exposure to hazardous substances (eg solvents, liquids, dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify …………………………………………………………. ##
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation.
Equipment/Tools/Machines used
Food Handling ##
Driving university vehicles(e.g. car/van/LGV/PCV) ##
Use of latex gloves (note: prohibited unless specific clinical necessity) ##
Vibrating tools ( e.g. strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers) ##
Physical Abilities
Load manual handling.
Repetitive Crouching/Kneeling/Stooping
Repetitive Pulling/Pushing
Repetitive Lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive Climbing i.e. steps, stools, ladders
Fine motor grips (e.g. pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
Psychosocial Issues
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
Shift work/night work/on call duties ##

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