Senior Research Fellow – Glycine

15208BR

Cardiff School of Biosciences

Research

Advert

Senior Research Fellow – Glycine 

The Medicines Discovery Institute represents a major investment in translational science by Cardiff University. The goal of the Institute is to translate world-leading research on scientific understanding of disease mechanisms into innovative therapeutic approaches.  Our vision is to play a leading role in discovering new medicines in areas of high unmet need, with a particular emphasis on, but not exclusive to, neuroscience and mental health.  We have a vibrant community of researchers across both academic and biotech sectors engaged in major research programmes which build off the unique strengths of Cardiff University and work collaboratively with other universities and companies across Wales and internationally. 

In addition to a number of drug discovery projects running at Cardiff University, funded principally by the Wellcome Trust and the MRC, we have an established drug discovery group who establish a pipeline of new projects.  Our team translate exciting new discoveries in neuroscience, mental health and cancer into potential new medicines for onward development through both academic and commercial routes.

The successful candidate will work on the Allosteric modulators of spinal cord glycine receptors for the treatment of chronic pain project. You will work with a team of in house biologists and chemists and liaise with external collaborators in pursuit of the goal of novel, CNS-penetrant modulators of a Glycine receptor ion channels for the treatment of chronic pain.

This position is full time and fixed term until 31 December 2024.

Salary: £53,353 – £61,823 per annum (Grade 8). Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above Grade 8, salary point 47 which is currently £58,284 per annum. 

The post will be based at Cardiff University and will be part of a multi-disciplinary drug discovery team.  For informal inquiries, please contact [email protected]

Date advert posted: Friday, 23 September 2022

Closing date: Monday, 10 October 2022

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.

“Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment – Research – Cardiff University

Job Description

Main function 

Lead research projects, contributing to the research record of the Medicines Discovery Institute through commitment to carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same. The successful candidate will be expected to lead a team of biologists and chemists and liaise with external collaborators in pursuit of the goal of novel, CNS-penetrant modulators of a Glycine receptor ion channels for the treatment of chronic pain.

Research 

•    To conduct research on a two-year MRC-funded project to identify glycine receptor modulators for the treatment of chronic pain and contribute to the overall internationally recognised research performance of the School and its Research Institutes
•    To generate and pursue independent and original research ideas in the field of research and support the initiation of new lines of research in related areas
•    Contribute to and lead successful research bids
•    Ensure delivery on biological and medicinal chemistry project objectives
•    Co-ordinate and assemble data packages in order to achieve predetermined project Milestone criteria
•    To disseminate research findings through publishing in international academic journals, international conferences and/or other research outputs
•    Recruit, supervise and lead research teams and postgraduate research students, being responsible for their professional and academic development
•    To give invited addresses to professional meetings and conferences at national and international level, building networks to develop research outputs and standing within the area of specialism To participate in School research activities.
•    To contribute to the management of postgraduate research. 

Leadership 

•    To provide academic leadership by co-ordinating the work of others to ensure areas of research are organised and delivered effectively.
•    To be involved in the departmental level strategic planning and contribute to wider strategic planning processes in the University.

Other 

•    To contribute to and/or lead bids for consultancy and additional funds
•    To undertake and lead operational administrative responsibilities as requested by Head of School and senior management team
•    To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally and internationally 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, national, and international profile.
•    Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications and Education

1.    Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or relevant industrial and/or drug discovery experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2.    A well established expertise and significant proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
–    Drug Discovery
–    Medicinal Chemistry or Molecular Pharmacology

3.    Established national and growing international reputation within academic field

4.    Proven substantial record of publications in national and international journals and/or other research outputs.

5.    Proven record of contributing and leading successful research bids

6.    Experience identifying and moving compounds into clinical development.

7.    Experience working in an industrial Bio Pharma or biotech environment.

Communication and Team Working

8.    Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication

9.    Proven ability to lead and develop a research team

Other

10.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work

Desirable Criteria 

1.    Experience working on ion channel, ideally Cys-loop family (i.e., glycine, GABAA, NACh, 5HT3 receptor) modulator projects

2.    Evidence of working with industry or driving industrial-academic collaborations.

3.    Familiarity working with drug discovery-related Contract Research Organisations (CROs)

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

5.    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.

6.    Proven record of taking responsibility for academically related administration.

Additional Information

n/a 

Job Category

Academic – Research