Chief Experimental Officer

Chief Experimental Officer (
Job Number:
22001793)
Department of Biosciences
Grade 8: – £43,414-£51,805 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent – Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date
: 02-Dec-2022, 6:59:00 PM

The University        

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.       

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.    

Further information about the University can be found here    

The Role and Department    

This appointment will help to sustain high quality research outputs in the Department of Bioscience. We wish to appoint a Senior Experimental Officer to manage the day-to-day operations of core and collaborative activities within the Biomolecular Interactions Grouping, and of Biosciences staff more broadly that work on Metals in Biology. At an experimental level, this includes the operation of biological elemental analyses by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This is a thriving facility supporting the research of more than a dozen PI’s within the University associated with multiple funded programmes, plus external (paying) users. The appointee will also contribute to the expression and purification of recombinant proteins plus their analysis by a variety of biochemical and biophysical methods. The appointee will help to manage and sustain the operational research environment of designated Biosciences laboratories located within the Chemistry Department, and help coordinate communications among our portfolio of metals-related research projects that involve multiple Durham PI’s working with external partners (currently for example the Durham-led Metals in Biology E3B BBSRC NIBB, Procter and Gamble, the Quadram Institute and Pleco Therapeutics).

The appointee will need to be a highly motivated individual with a background in biology, good communication skills (including having presented findings to major research conferences), ideally with experience in working in collaboration with industry, and a desire to take a practical role in supporting teams committed to delivering a high level of research support to both internal and external customers, plus the tenacity and expertise to drive research to publications. A background in microbiology, including knowledge of safe microbial practice to containment level two, would be an asset, since the applicant will support some aspects of oversight of microbial health and safety in the Bio-Molecular Interactions group. Experience in using ICP-MS for the analysis of biological samples (including pure proteins and digested cell extracts) and/or experience in the production and purification of recombinant proteins is essential. Ideally applicants might also have expertise in using spectroscopic methods to quantify ligand binding to purified proteins under anaerobic conditions, including DNA and metal-interactions, since the successful candidate will also oversee these capabilities in the Bio-Molecular Interactions group. It is expected that they will rapidly establish a knowledge base of ICP-MS biological applications in research areas specific to the Departmental requirements and outside users, from sample preparation through to data interpretation. The appointee will be expected to support researchers from undergraduate to postdoctoral level as well as external to the department and University. This will include generating income from external users, overseeing running costs (argon and others) and managing this growing financial portfolio.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.        

Working at Durham         

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:        

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.      

• The University closes between Christmas and New Year – please include or delete if not applicable     

• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS) which the University will add contributions of 21.4%.     

• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.    

• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.     

• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.    

• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.    

• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).    

• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community    

• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.     

• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.     

• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.    

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values      

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.      

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.        

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.   

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification    

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.          

Where a criteria has an asterix* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.  Your application should cover the following criteria:    

Essential Criteria   

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop excellent working relationships both internally and externally. Publications in bioscience and/or biological chemistry on topics which are closely aligned to the ongoing research of biologists embedded within chemistry (an aim is to strengthen critical mass in specific research areas)
• Excellent digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning, financial systems, recruitment tools
• Experience of specialist data acquisition and processing software.
• Educated to first degree and PhD level in bioscience and / or biological chemistry
• Regulatory, local and national professional knowledge and experience of compliance with good laboratory practice for sample preparation and all aspects of compliance related to publication and data storage.
• Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships including demonstrable evidence of working with industry with proven ability to interact effectively with both academic and industrial customers.
• Ability to solve problems and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions. The appointee will be a highly motivated individual with experience in using ICP-MS for the analysis of biological samples (including pure proteins and digested cell extracts), and in the validation and maintenance of ICP-MS and related equipment. Knowledge of data interpretation from biological elemental analyses is part of the role. AND/OR Expert in the expression and purification of recombinant proteins.
• Expert knowledge and expertise in one or more areas of technical specialism, and the application of skills to create, build, construct and realise new and innovative resources, equipment and research outputs.
• Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, including health and safety.
• Demonstrable ability to teach or train others with specific technical skills.

 

Desirable Criteria 

• Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
• Experienced practitioner who has led teaching/research project working within and educational, commercial or industrial environment. Good administrative and time management skills.
• Experience of implementing policies and procedures including the ability to work accurately and keep good records
• Previous experience of using spectroscopic methods to generate robustly quantitative analyses of ligand binding to purified proteins ideally under anaerobic conditions, including DNA interactions.

 

How to apply          

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).        

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.             

Submitting your application         

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.          

What you need to submit      

• A CV: and
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details             

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Professor Nigel Robinson (nigel.robinson@durham.ac.uk)  

Typical Role Requirements    

Service Delivery 

• Responsible for operational activity across different areas.
• Oversight of short term or temporary project teams/strands, taking responsibility for decision making as appropriate.
• Lead on the design, implementation and monitoring of policy and quality standards, procedures and systems ensuring effective working and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all activities, processes and transactions are accounted for accurately and promptly to meet regulatory and professional service and policy standards.
• Implement processes to manage the integrity and security of all commercially and professionally sensitive and personal data.
• Responsible for allocating and monitoring financial budgets and resources (e.g., for consumables and capital items, keeping records and processing invoices)
• Implement and audit health and safety risk assessments and procedures to ensure compliance with University and statutory regulations (e.g., GM Class ii microbiology)
• Manage and monitor individual and overall health and safety assessments and procedures, ensuring compliance.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Teaching and Learning Support 

• Work within a teaching, learning or research area of activity of national significance.
• Contribute expert advice and guidance, collaborating with peers and academics to deliver teaching, learning and/or research outputs.
• Assess and design modifications and implement developments to deliver desired outputs.
• Lead, design and deliver practical workshops, teaching and training sessions.
• Ensure continuous improvement and knowledge base development for world class delivery.
• Liaise with academic staff to build and maintain high-quality specialist support to underpin excellence in teaching, research and learning.
• Deliver professional expertise with the design, construction and development of investigative methodologies to achieve teaching, research or learning objectives.
• Identify, source and manufacture resources, materials, chemicals, tools, instruments, equipment and software critical to teaching and research delivery and suggest and obtain alternatives where necessary.
• Contribute creativity and innovation to the teaching, learning and research delivery process and outcomes.
• Take responsibility for supervising experimental procedures and processes out of normal programmed sessions, monitoring variables, capturing and analysing data and interpreting patterns.
• Deliver the planning, design and implementation of research outputs and prepare innovative teaching/research proposals.

Knowledge and Experience 

• Provide expert professional subject expertise and problem-solving skills (e.g., in the expression, purification and analysis of recombinant proteins)
• Act as recognised practitioner within own specialist area or discipline (e.g., biological ICP-MS), shaping activities, processes and systems.
• Act as specialist point of contact dealing with complexity of data and information sources, interpretation and analysis.
• Promote and develop a deep understanding of organisational policy and external developments.
• Lead internal business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at operational service level to influence governance, organisational policy and standards for the service.

Planning and Organising 

• Significant input into the scoping and resource planning across a range of activities at operational and possibly strategic level.
• Carry out project scoping, initiation, planning and implementation for large scale/University wide initiatives.
• Promote the improvement and efficiency of departmental services by implementing and managing review and improvement procedures.

Communication/Networking/Stakeholders 

• Engage with key stakeholders and internal and external contractors to influence opinion, delivery and reputation of services.
• Responsible for shaping the development and learning of others outside of team, through the design and delivery of training sessions.
• Represent the faculty/school at promotional events and contribute to the delivery of presentations at conferences.
• Lead on activities and participate with others to generate external income, including involvement in research proposals.

Any other reasonable duties.  

Useful links    

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.      

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas. 

DBS Requirement: Not Applicable.