Main Purpose of the Job

To be supported at the Earlham Institute (EI), in applying for competitive funding to launch an independent research leadership career, while continuing to develop your underpinning research. The successful candidate will build, develop and lead their own independent, internationally recognised research programme, publish significant research papers, contribute to the Institute Strategic Programmes, manage their own research team, and be responsible for financial control and delivery of their own research projects.

Key Relationships

Career Development Fellows will interact with all levels of staff at EI, across the Norwich Research Park (NRP) and with external collaborators.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Develop an internationally recognised programme of innovative research in systems biology, synthetic biology, computational biology, ML/AI, or molecular biology technology development.

Applying for competitive funding to launch an independent research leadership career.

As a Career Development Fellow, you will be a key member of the Institute. You will be expected to work flexibly in a cross-functional and cross-disciplinary way, fully aware of and committed to the benefits of working together collaboratively to exploit opportunities and synergies both within the Institute, across the research park, nationally and internationally. You will contribute to ensuring we build an innovative and supportive culture reflecting our values of excellence, innovation, collaboration and integrity.

100

Any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role of Career Development Fellows

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD and postdoctoral experience gained within a relevant area of science

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Track record of research achievement supported by high quality publications

Essential

A clear future research vision

Essential

Commitment to employing best practice in your research

Essential

Ability to develop own research programme

Essential

Ability to collaborate with industry

Desirable

Management and leadership skills, able to inspire others

Desirable

Ability to identify and initiate new collaborations

Desirable

Project management skills

Desirable

Time management skills

Desirable

Ability to participate in interdisciplinary research

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Research experience that matches the Institute research strategy

Essential

Successful in obtaining research funding

Desirable

Experience of managing and/or mentoring

Desirable

Experience of supervising PhD students

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to collaborate and across disciplines

Essential

Committed to the principles of open science data sharing

Essential

Good interpersonal and motivational skills with a flexible approach

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with anyone

Essential

Open-minded, determined and resilient

Essential

Strong team player; working together to reach a common goal; sharing information, supporting colleagues

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Being a good role model and ambassador contributing to life at the Institute by striving for excellence, thriving on challenges, providing evidence of helping others

Essential

Commitment to Public Engagement / Science Communication activities that raise the Institute’s profile and attract good publicity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Responsible for health and safety, in line with the Health and Safety Policy and associated guidance documents

Essential

Attention to detail

Essential

Ability to travel (reasonable adjustments will be considered)

Desirable

Earlham Institute

About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.

We are building a future where the biology of any organism can be understood by analysing its genome. Our mission is to decode the scale and complexity of living systems so we can understand, benefit from, and protect life on Earth.

The Earlham Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).

Our Science
Earlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.

We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure. We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe. Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.

Our Culture
The Earlham Institute champions 'team science'. Our collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.

The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.

We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.

For more information about working at the Earlham Institute, please click here.

Further Information:

Our Vision and Mission

Our Strategy

Our Culture

Life at Earlham Institute

Department

Research Faculty

Group Details

A member of the Research Faculty division

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Career Development Fellow
 
To expand our research leadership, the Earlham Institute is looking for two new Career Development Fellows. As an international centre of excellence in data-driven bioscience and innovative technologies, we invite applications from Early Career Researchers wishing to transition to an independent research leadership post, pursuing bioinformatics, modelling, computational biology or engineering (synthetic biology) routes to investigate biodiversity and biological systems.

We offer:

• A collegiate and innovative research environment with a strong focus on genomics, computational-, systems- and synthetic-biology
• Significant support and mentorship in applying for funding to establish your independent research career.
• Part time or flexible working for all research leadership roles
• Professional development, research and administrative assistance
• During the fellowship we offer a guaranteed interview for any advertised leadership positions
• A working culture centred on openness, innovation and excellence  https://www.earlham.ac.uk/life-earlham  
• State-of-the-art laboratory space including access to platform sequencing facilities (including single-cell), the Biofoundry and numerous automated platforms http://www.earlham.ac.uk/national-capabilities 
• Access to high-performance computing
• A competitive salary and pension, on-site sports facilities and cycle schemes
• The Norwich Research Park has an onsite nursery which is open to all staff and their children https://www.norwichresearchpark.com/chestnut-nursery-school 
• Research excellence in a beautiful region of the UK http://www.earlham.ac.uk/living-norfolk 

About the role:

• Develop an internationally recognised programme of innovative research in systems biology, engineering biology, computational biology, ML/AI, or molecular biology technology development. Our current research portfolio can be viewed at: https://www.earlham.ac.uk/science-division  
• Applying for competitive funding to launch an independent research leadership career
• Contribute to an inclusive and collegiate culture at the Earlham Institute, based on research excellence, integrity and respect 
• Foster strong and mutually beneficial relationships and collaborations within the Earlham Institute, with other academic institutions and with industry, government and the wider stakeholders 
• Supporting translation of research into applications that can deliver solutions to industrial challenges, and deliver impact 

Additional information:

Interested applicants are invited to submit a single document comprising (i) A cover letter (1 page) (ii) Full CV and publication list (iii) Description of current research activities (2 pages) (iiii) A short and longer-term vision of your research and strategic goals (2 pages), including how your research will contribute to, and benefit from, the Earlham Institute.

The Earlham Institute is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees, the main selection criteria are scientific excellence and the potential of your proposed research programme, regardless of gender, ethnicity or other personal characteristics, beliefs and backgrounds.

Salary on appointment will be within the range £44,500 to £49,300 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.  This is a full-time post for a contract of 3 years.

We strongly encourage applications from women and ethnic minorities, and we welcome applications from candidates seeking full-time, part-time or other flexible working arrangements.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 12th September 2024.
 
The Earlham Institute is a registered charity (No.1136213), strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.