______DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Job description and selection criteria
Job title Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Division Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences
Department Department of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, South Parks Road, Location Oxford, OX1
Grade and salary Grade 7: £29,541 - £32,267 per annum
Hours Full time
Contract type Fixed-term (there is funding for this post for 1 year)
Reporting to Professor Hagan Bayley http://research.chem.ox.ac.uk/hagan-bayley.aspx Vacancy reference 106353
Additional The post is available immediately information
Introduction
The University
The University of Oxford is a complex and stimulating organisation, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence in research and teaching. It employs over 10,000 staff and has a student population of over 21,000.
Most staff are directly appointed and managed by one of the University’s 130 departments or other units within a highly devolved operational structure - this includes 5,900 ‘academic- related’ staff (postgraduate research, computing, senior library, and administrative staff) and 2,820 ‘support’ staff (including clerical, library, technical, and manual staff). There are also over 1,600 academic staff (professors, readers, lecturers), whose appointments are in the main overseen by a combination of broader divisional and local faculty board/departmental structures. Academics are generally all also employed by one of the 38 constituent colleges of the University as well as by the central University itself.
Our annual income in 2010/11 was £919.6m. Oxford is one of Europe's most innovative and entrepreneurial universities: income from external research contracts exceeds £376m p.a., and more than 70 spin-off companies have been created.
The University of Oxford is a member of the Athena SWAN charter to promote women in Science, Engineering and Technology. The University holds an Athena SWAN bronze award at institutional level. Contact [email protected] for further information about Athena SWAN at the University of Oxford.
For more information please visit www.ox.ac.uk
MPLS Division
The academic administration of the University is conducted through four divisions (Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, and Medical Sciences). The Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division consists of ten constituent departments: the Department of Chemistry, Computing Laboratory, the Department of Earth Sciences, the Department of Engineering Science, the Department of Materials, Mathematical Institute, the Department of Physics, Department of Plant Sciences, Department of Zoology and Statistics. The division provides a framework for interdisciplinary teaching and research. There are also links with the Medical Sciences Division.
For more information please visit: http://www.mpls.ox.ac.uk/
The Department of Chemistry
Oxford has one of the largest and most successful chemistry departments in the world with over 70 research groups comprising around 900 active researchers including 400 graduate students. The undergraduate intake is 190 students a year reading for a 4-year M Chem degree. Recent rankings by QS and ARWU place the Department in the top 10 Chemistry departments internationally and the Chemistry undergraduate course is rated either first or
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second in the UK according to three national newspaper league tables. The department had the highest ‘power rating’ of any UK university in the Chemistry Unit of Assessment for the national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008. The success of the Department is recognised not only by its position in national and international league tables, but also by the many prizes and awards given to its individuals, both academic staff and students. It also has a strong record for generating spin-outs and IP. The department is headed by the Chairman of Chemistry, Professor Tim Softley.
The vision of Oxford Chemistry is currently as follows:
Our vision is to be a world leading department of Chemistry in scholarship, research, teaching and learning as reflected in external recognition, rankings and measures. We aim to be an outward-looking Department engaging with other disciplines, with industry and with a range of other external stakeholders from alumni to government. We also aim to be a thriving academic community in which all staff and students enjoy a stimulating, respectful and congenial working environment that is sympathetic to their individual needs and enables them to make the most of their talents and abilities.
The Department was awarded an Athena SWAN bronze award in August 2012. The award recognizes the Department's commitment to addressing gender inequalities, to tackling the unequal representation of women in science, and to improving career progression for female academics
Research in Chemistry As might be expected for a department of its size, Oxford has world class research across a very broad range of chemistry and at its interfaces with other disciplines. In all areas the department seeks to advance fundamental science and knowledge with the expectation that such advances will lead to a step change of impact in applications and commercial exploitation, as has been demonstrated in many recent instances. Activity can be roughly grouped into a number of broad ‘themes’, although there is much overlap, and many academics work in more than one area.
• Chemistry at the interface with biology and medicine • Sustainable energy • Catalysis • Advanced functional materials • Innovative measurement and photon science • Synthesis • Theory and modelling of complex systems • Interfacial science • Kinetics, dynamics and mechanism
The department’s research strategy is to build on strength in these areas, encouraging collaboration that is not limited by sectional or departmental boundaries. Oxford Chemistry collaborates with departments across the University, from Engineering to Geography, from Plant Sciences to Oncology and Cardiovascular Medicine, and with local hospitals and with facilities such as Diamond and MRC Harwell, and has close links with
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academia and industry in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. The total value of Oxford Chemistry’s external research grant portfolio is currently over £70m. The main sources of funding include the UK Research Councils (EPSRC, BBSRC, STFC and MRC), the European Research Council (ERC), Cancer Research UK, the Royal Society, the British Heart Foundation, the Leverhulme Trust, and the NIH. There is also research funding and partnerships with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), AstraZeneca UK, Johnson Matthey, GlaxoSmithKline, BP, Unilever, Siemens, SCG Chemicals (Thailand), Galapagos SASU, UCB Celltech, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd and Oxford Medical Diagnostics among many others. Many grants are held in collaboration with researchers from other University departments, including Biochemistry, Physics, Engineering and the Structural Genomics Consortium.
Chemistry Research Facilities Oxford Chemistry occupies three major laboratory buildings in the University’s science area, including a modern RIBA award-winning £64m dedicated research facility, opened in 2004. Continuing to updating the teaching and research facilities across the Department is a high priority, and plans are well advanced for another new research building and new teaching labs. The Department has an unrivalled range of spectroscopic and analytical equipment across all the disciplines of chemistry.
For more information please visit: http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/
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Stochastic sensing and ultrarapid DNA sequencing with protein Research topic nanopores.
Principal Investigator / supervisor Professor Hagan Bayley The funds supporting this research project are provided by an Funding partner NIH grant Technical skills Biochemical and molecular biology techniques
Job description Overview of the role
About the Research Group
The Bayley laboratory uses the techniques of protein chemistry, molecular genetics and biophysics. Much of the work is centred on membrane proteins, in particular channels and pores. The group investigate both the fundamental properties of these proteins and their applications in biotechnology. Several of their studies are collaborations with other laboratories in the UK, USA and Europe. There are currently 15 postdocs, 7 graduate students and a Laboratory Manager/Technician in the laboratory.
About the project
The project involves work on stochastic sensing and ultrarapid DNA sequencing with protein nanopores. The work will require experience of molecular biophysics, preferably nanopore technology and microfluidics, and/or skills in biochemical and molecular biological techniques, particularly the expression and purification of engineered protein pores.
Responsibilities/duties
1. Carry out original research on stochastic sensing and ultrarapid DNA sequencing with protein nanopores. The work involves small scale project management and the ability to meet deadlines. 2. Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols 3. Test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate 4. Contribute ideas for new research projects 5. Undertake comprehensive and systematic literature reviews 6. Collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and
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occasionally present papers and posters 7. Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment 8. Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific protocols and experimental techniques 9. Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone 10. Carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups 11. Actively participate in journal club meetings
Selection Criteria The successful applicants will:
1. Hold a PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry or Physics or a related area (or have submitted a PhD thesis prior to taking up the appointment).
2. Be able to demonstrate competence and success in the thesis research area (and postdoctoral work if appropriate), e.g. as judged by publications (or papers in press) in high quality peer reviewed journals. Evidence will be sought of a deep understanding of the applicant's previous fields of research and evidence of independent intellectual and practical contributions to previous research projects, as indicators that such attributes can be brought to bear on the present project.
3. Be viewed as a motivated, enthusiastic, organised self-starter; one who can work with a minimum of supervision but at the same time extract the benefits of an excellent research environment.
4. Have experience in molecular biophysics, preferably nanopore technology and microfluidics, and/or skills in biochemical and molecular biological techniques, particularly the expression and purification of engineered protein pores.
5. Have an excellent general knowledge of related areas through reading of the literature, online database searching, and attendance at seminars and conferences.
6. Be willing to learn new techniques and apply them in an interdisciplinary research environment. Be willing to participate in group journal clubs and workshops as a means to continuously improve technical and theoretical knowledge.
7. Communicate well in English in writing and in oral and visual presentations.
8. Be able to keep detailed laboratory records and report on progress at regular intervals.
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9. Show an ability to work supportively in a laboratory environment, and to supervise and educate junior co-workers and take part in joint projects through co-operation and the exchange of information, skills and reagents.
10. Be willing to play a role in keeping the laboratory running by assuming a share of group responsibilities.
Working at the University of Oxford For further information about working at Oxford, please see: http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/jobs/research/
How to apply If you consider that you meet the selection criteria, click on the Apply Now button on the ‘Job Details’ page and follow the on-screen instructions to register as a user. You will then be required to complete a number of screens with your application details, relating to your skills and experience. When prompted, please provide details of two referees and indicate whether we can contact them at this stage. You will also be required to upload a CV and supporting statement. The supporting statement should describe what you have been doing over at least the last 10 years. This may have been employment, education, or you may have taken time away from these activities in order to raise a family, care for a dependant, or travel for example. Your application will be judged solely on the basis of how you demonstrate that that you meet the selection criteria outlined above and we are happy to consider evidence of transferable skills or experience which you may have gained outside the context of paid employment or education.
Please save all uploaded documents to show your name and the document type.
All applications must be received by midday on the closing date stated in the online advertisement.
Information for Priority Candidates A priority candidate is a University employee who is seeking redeployment owing to the fact that he or she has been advised that they are at risk of redundancy, or on grounds of ill- health/disability. Priority candidates are issued with a redeployment letter by their employing departments and this letter must be attached to any application they submit.
The priority application date for this post is 12 noon on 1st March 2013
Full details of the priority application process are available at: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/personnel/end/red/redproc/prioritycandidate
Should you experience any difficulties using the online application system, please email [email protected]
To return to the online application at any stage, please click on the following link www.recruit.ox.ac.uk
Please note that you will be notified of the progress of your application by automatic e-mails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk mail regularly to ensure that you receive all e-mails.
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