Research Fellow

Job Description
The purpose of this role is to design & implement a specific research programmed/s in association with the
Principal Investigator This role is a prestigious role which represents a step change from post-doctoral
researcher roles. Your work will be performed in accordance with the university’s research integrity policy
and all other relevant policies.
You will have dual goals in terms of the research project and your own career development. The training
and development relevant to this position will be completed within the period of your contract in which
time you will continue to develop skills and competencies with respect to the role and your future career
options.
It is a legitimate objective of (the HEI) to provide Research Fellow training opportunities which are of
limited duration. This will allow for the progression over many years, of researchers through the
Researcher Training Programme as part of the (HEI)’s Employment & Career Development Framework for
Researchers providing intergenerational training in the methods and practice of research and scholarship.
The objective grounds for the issue of this fixed term contract rather than a permanent contract is in
keeping with the foregoing legitimate objectives of (the HEI).
Reports to/Supervised by
You will report to, be directed by and be under the supervision of your Principal Investigator/Head of
Academic Unit (or their nominee) for the listed activities unless otherwise stated. You will be expected to
carry out the below list of responsibilities together with any additional duties requested of you by your
Principal Investigator/ Head of Academic Unit.
Key Responsibilities
Research

• Conduct individual and/or collaborative research to the highest ethical standards in a variety of
  settings.
• Carry out any administrative and management work associated with your programme of
  research.
• Proactively identify opportunities for external funding sources, prepare grant proposals and the
  assess research findings for potential commercial exploitation in collaboration with the PI..
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which you are engaged in to the
  relevant research stakeholders in the appropriate form.
  Contribution to Research Group and University
• Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of your research group, centre or unit and
  contribute to its profile by participating in promotion activity.
• Participate in internal/external networks for the exchange of information and to form
  relationships for future research collaboration

Teaching, Learning and Mentoring

• Participate in limited teaching hours in furtherance of your own development and contribute to
  your unit’s teaching and tutoring approaches. The extent of this must not adversely impact the
  primary research role.
• Supervise and provide day-to-day advice, support, mentoring, and assistance to research
  graduates, students and other junior members associated with your research group, centre or
  unit.
  Personal Development
• Engage in appropriate training and development opportunities to develop own transferable skills,
  career and reputation.
  Person Specification
  Qualifications
• A PhD qualification1
• The appointed candidate will generally have 4-6 years postdoctoral research experience.
  Knowledge and Expertise
• Demonstrates knowledge of a research discipline and field.
• Demonstrates the ability to generate new ideas and link and build upon existing ideas to
  generate unique concepts and solutions with integrity.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the policy, practices and procedures that are
  relevant to the role, which may include broader University, sector, and external sponsor or
  funder policies.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the operational and management requirements of a
  successful research project.
  Research Environment
• Demonstrates evidence of research activity and a commitment to ongoing research and
  publications.
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the research environment both nationally and
  internationally and the ability to contribute substantially to grant applications.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the commercialisation process.
  Interpersonal Skills
• Demonstrates good communication, mentoring, and interpersonal skills with the capability of
  working within a project team to achieve results

Personal Skills and Effectiveness

• Demonstrates an ability to manage self, time, resources and people to enable a high level of
  personal effectiveness.
  Career Development
• Demonstrates a commitment to develop own transferable skills, profile and reputation to
  advance own career after the end of the contract period.