Lecturer - Teaching and Research - Cardiff University

Vacancy Reference Number
7664BR
Closing Date
10 Sep 2018
Salary
£32,548 - £38,833 per annum (Grade 6) or £41,212 - £47,722 per annum (Grade 7)
Duration
Full-time and open-ended

Lecturer in Psychiatric Genomics/Health Informatics
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
Cardiff University School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences at Cardiff University's School of Medicine. The Division hosts both the MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (CNGG) and the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute (NMHRI).  The CNGG is the largest psychiatric genetics group in the UK and is Wales’ first MRC Centre, bringing together world-leading researchers to investigate the major causes of psychiatric disorders. Our use of clinical, genomic, statistical and bioinformatic expertise to tackle the challenges posed by psychiatric disorders across the full lifespan is unique and has been recognised by the award of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education. The NMHRI's  mission is to drive the development of new research areas aimed at translating the fundamental discoveries made by Cardiff neuroscientists and geneticists in the major psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders into a greater understanding of disease mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Based at the University’s flagship Hadyn Ellis Building, you will join a successful team working on the MENTAL HEALTH DATA PATHFINDER project. Providing high-level support and oversight to the project you will lead on the amalgamation, linkage and analysis of complex genetic and phenotypic data sets. You will have proven experience in psychiatric genetics and genomics, including analysis of common and rare genetic variation and/or demonstrable knowledge and proficiency and experience within the area of mental health informatics, including analysis of routinely collected health data and data linkage.

It is envisaged that this role will lead our strategy in crossover genomics and health informatics in the future.

This post will have protected research time to fulfil the requirements of this project until 31 March 2020. After this period, you will be required to undertake the full duties of your substantive role, demonstrating competency in all the areas detailed on the relevant job description, which include success in research funding and publishing in high-quality national journals. 

We are advertising for two roles (Research Fellow Grade 7 and Lecturer - Teaching and Research Grade 6/7) and only one appointment will be made. It is envisaged that this role will lead our strategy in crossover genetic and genomic informatics in the future.

Having been ranked 2nd in the UK’s REF2014 in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, we are committed to building on our existing world-leading research and striving for future, ground-breaking successes. Should you wish to discuss how your skills and experience can help us achieve our aims, please contact Professor James Walters: waltersjt@cardiff.ac.uk or +44 (0)29 2068 8434.

The post is full-time and open-ended.

Salary: £32,548 - £38,833 per annum (Grade 6) or £41,212 - £47,722 per annum (Grade 7).

Date advert posted: Tuesday, 7 August 2018

Closing date: Monday, 10 September 2018

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

Main function

To provide high-quality research for the MRC Pathfinder grant, ‘Integrating genetic, clinical and phenotypic data to advance stratification, prediction and treatment in mental health’ until 31 March 2020.

To lead and develop the implementation of new Mental Health data and informatics resources, for example, establishing Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) linkage in Wales and/or developing opportunities to exploit large developmental cohorts such as DECIPHER.

Following completion of the above, to deliver high-quality and research-led teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and contribute to the research record of the School through commitment to carrying out research leading to the publishing of work in high-quality journals. To pursue excellence in research, teaching and enterprise and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Research

• To conduct research integrating psychiatric genomics with large scale mental health (phenotypic) data and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students (Grade 7: contribute to internationally recognised research performance).
         
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals (Grade 7: independently develop research objectives, acting as PI as required).
           
• To give conference/seminar papers at a local and national level (Grade 7: present at international level).
           
• To participate in School research activities.

Teaching (to start no later than 01/04/2020)

• To design and deliver teaching programmes for courses and contribute to module development as part of a module team (Grade 7: independently contribute to module and course development and lead modules).

• To carry out other forms of scholarship including work associated with examinations (setting and marking paper and providing constructive feedback to students), administration, participation in committee work, and the pastoral care of students of Cardiff University.

• To inspire undergraduate and postgraduate students under the guidance of a mentor/module leader and develop skills in assessment methods and in providing constructive feedback to students.

• To supervise the work of students including the supervision of Undergraduate and Master’s students and the co-supervision of PGRs (Grade 7: Acts as a PGR progress review panel member as required).

• To act as a Personal Tutor and provide pastoral support to students.

Other – both grades

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.

• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance in the role of Lecturer.

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world

• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.     
 

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.
          
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
a. Experience of the integration of genetics and complex phenotypic data at scale.
And/or
b. Experience of large scale psychiatric genetics and genomics datasets including analysis of common and rare genetic variation.
And/or
c. Knowledge of mental health informatics methodologies and analysis.
                         
3. Teaching experience at undergraduate/postgraduate level (Grade 7: significant experience).

4. Grade 7 only:
a. Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy OR
b. Membership of Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Educators OR
c. Have completed a relevant postgraduate qualification in education e.g. Cardiff University’s ‘Academic Practice for Early Career Staff Programme’, PCTUL, PGCE or PG Cert/ Dipl in Medical Education.

5. Proven ability to publish in national journals. (Grade 7: proven substantial record of publications in high-impact national journals).
   
6. Proven ability to be successful in competitive research funding. (Grade 7: strong portfolio of research grants).

7. Ability to contribute to the delivery and continued development of modules across the School’s teaching programmes.

Pastoral, Communication and Team Working
8. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.

9. The ability to provide appropriate pastoral support to students, appreciate the needs of individual students and their circumstances and to act as a personal tutor.

Desirable Criteria

1. Relevant professional qualification(s).

2. Experience of using large genetic and phenotypic data sets, including use of up to date analytical packages.

3. Knowledge of the integration of genetics and complex phenotypic data at scale.

4. Evidence of collaborations with industry.

5. Proven ability to work without close supervision.

6.  Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.

7. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the teaching and research activities of the School.

8. A willingness to take responsibility for academic-related administration.
 

Additional Information

If appointed at Grade 6, you will be required to undertake the University’s Academic Practice teaching qualification in order to support you during your probationary period.

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

It is School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.

Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 7664BR

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

To apply for this job, click here

Contact Details

Professor James Walters: waltersjt@cardiff.ac.uk or +44 (0)29 2068 8434.