FURTHER PARTICULARS FOR THE ROLE Marie Curie Research Fellow Molecular Cell Biologist School of Life & Health Sciences Reference Number: R120040 Closing date: 25 th March 2012 Interview date: 11 th April 2012 Contents: Role description 1 Person specification 2 Outline terms and conditions of appointment 3 Further advice, equal opportunities statement and data protection 5
ROLE DESCRIPTION Job Purpose A Postdoctoral position is available for 15 months within the framework of the Marie Curie Seventh Framework Programme Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP). The Commercialisation of Transglutaminase (TRANSCOM PIA-GA-2009-251506) at Aston University, Birmingham. The successful candidate will work in the School of Life and Health Sciences within a team of experts in the field of transglutaminases under the supervision of Prof M Griffin, and Dr Russell Collighan. The TRANSCOM network involves 6 other partners and the successful candidate will be involved with other members of the network, will attend network courses, meetings and workshops and may be involved in spending short periods of time in partner laboratories. The project is directed at developing novel methods of blocking the function and activity of transglutaminases with a view to developing new therapeutic approaches for the treatment and diagnosis of the diseases in which transgluatminases are involved. Specifically the appointed Fellow will be involved in developing novel methods of blocking transglutaminase function in celiac disease, neurodegenerative diseases and angiogenesis using TG inhibitors and other antagonistic compounds developed from knowledge of the molecular and cell biology of transglutaminases. Transglutaminases are a family of protein crosslinking enzymes which have a number of physiological functions but which are also involved in a variety pathophysiological diseases including, celiac disease, neurodegeneration, angiogenesis,tissue scarring and thrombosis The successful candidate will need to meet the eligibility criteria of the Marie Curie Actions, full details can be found at the Marie Curie IAPP Quick Guide for Applicants. You are advised to check this before applying. However, you should be an experienced researcher with substantial and significant experience and you should not have been residing in the UK for more than 12 of the last 36 months. Preference will be given to applicants who are citizens or residents of the European Union and associated countries. The monthly salary for this post will be paid in UK Pounds Stirling equivalent to approximately 4,525 gross. In addition, the successful applicant will receive a monthly mobility allowance in UK Pounds Stirling to the approximate value of 500 (single) and 800 (family), and a onetime payment of travel allowance to the equivalent value of 250-2500 (depending on home country). For more information, please download and read the IAPP Guide for Applicants for detailed information on salary. 1
PERSON SPECIFICATION MOA = Method of assessment Application Form (AF) Interview (I) Presentation (P) ESSENTIAL Education/Qualifications First Degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related subject AF MOA Experience Significant & substantial experience in laboratory based research with at least 4 years after Masters but not more than 10 years AF, I Experience in molecular biology, mammalian tissue culture and related biochemical & immunological assays, enzyme assays AF, I Aptitudes and Skills Proven research skills AF, I Other Ability to work as part of a research team Ability to meet the criteria for eligibility as set out by the Marie Curie IAPP Quick Guide for Applicants: Will need to be able to travel to attend network courses, meetings and workshops AF, I I I DESIRABLE MOA Education/Qualifications PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology or related subject AF 2
OUTLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE APPOINTMENT Term of appointment: This position is graded at Aston University Grade 9 on approximately 41,489 and will be subject to term and conditions of service for Research Staff. The monthly salary for this post will be paid in UK Pounds Stirling equivelant to approximately 4,525 gross. In addition, the successful applicant will receive a monthly mobility allowance in UK Pounds Stirling to the approximate value of 500 (single) and 800 (family), and a onetime payment of travel allowance to the equivalent value of 250-2500 (depending on home country). For more information, please download and read the Marie Curie IAPP Guide for applicants for detailed information on salary Since this post is for a research project which has little chance of being extended, the post will be fixed term for 15 months. Holiday entitlement: Pension: The annual leave entitlement is 30 days, plus 13 days bank and University holidays. Annual leave entitlements for part time staff will be calculated on a pro rata basis. Eligible staff are offered a defined benefit pension with the USS. For more information can be found at http://www.uss.co.uk/pages/default.aspx Performance related pay: Qualifications: In addition to the basic salary, the University operates a PRP scheme. Awards are determined on an annual basis. Successful candidates will be required to produce evidence of their qualifications upon joining the University. Relocation: Medical examination: Eligibility to work in the UK: Newly-appointed staff are required to establish their homes within reasonable daily travelling distance to and from the University. The University operates a relocation scheme to assist newly-appointed staff in meeting this requirement. Full details of the relocation scheme are included with offers of appointment. It is a condition of appointment that newly-appointed staff receive medical clearance from the University s Health Centre. Candidates who are not citizens of the United Kingdom, or of another EEA member country, should ensure that they meet the requirements of one of the 5 tiers of the immigration points based system. Candidates should check their eligibility to enter or remain in the UK in advance of making any job application using the 3
points-based calculator on the UK Border & Immigration Agency (UKBA) website. If you do not meet the minimum points requirement, you will not be able to work in the UK and any application for employment would be unsuccessful. Document checks: As a result of the implementation of sections 15 to 26 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality 2006 Act on 29 February 2008, the University requires all prospective and, in some cases, current employees, to provide documentation to verify their eligibility to work in the UK. Further information about these requirements can be found on the UK Border Agency website. www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk. Full details of the salary scales, terms and conditions of service and associated policies and procedures are available on the recruitment website. 4
FURTHER ADVICE Please contact Prof Martin Griffin, for an informal discussion about the post. Tel: +44(0) 121 204 3942 Email: m.griffin@aston.ac.uk If you would like information on the progress of your application, or advice on any aspect of the appointment process generally, or the terms and conditions of service, please do not hesitate to contact: Christine Campbell HR Advisor +44 (0) 121 204 4613 c.m.campbell@aston.ac.uk Merissa James HR Assistant +44 (0) 121 204 4591 m.l.james@aston.ac.uk EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT Aston University undertakes to promote equality and diversity within the University Community in all aspects of its work. Further, it aims to ensure through its admissions policies for students and its recruitment and selection processes for staff that it encourages applications from all groups represented in the wider community at a local, national and international level. The University will endeavour not to discriminate unfairly or illegally, directly or indirectly, against students or potential students, staff or potential staff. This commitment applies to all functions of the University and to any stage of an individual s career at Aston. For further details of policies and codes of practice on race, gender, disability, religion and belief, sexual orientation and age see: http://www.aston.ac.uk/staff/equalops/ An Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form is included with the application form. DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998 Your application will only be used to inform the selection process, unless you are successful, in which case it will form the basis of your personal record with the University which may be stored in manual and/or electronic files. Information in statistical form on present and former employees is given to appropriate outside bodies. Data you provide on the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be included in a general database, for statistical monitoring purposes enabling the University to monitor the effectiveness of its Policy, Code of Practice and Guidelines on Equal Opportunities in Employment. Individuals will not be identified by name. 5