Job Number
BU04036
School/Department
School of Environmental & Natural Sciences
Grade
6
Contract Duration
until 30/04/2027
Responsible to
Senior Lecturer in Zoology
Overview
The College of Science and Engineering at Bangor University is one of the leading centres in the UK for teaching and research in a range of science subjects. With over 2,500 students and 350 academic, technical and administrative staff, the College consists of three academic schools: Environmental and Natural Sciences; Ocean Sciences; and Computer Science & Electronic Engineering.
The School of Environmental and Natural Sciences conducts world-leading research and teaching across a diverse range of topics including biology, zoology, forestry, geography, agriculture and conservation. With Bangor University being based in stunning North Wales the school is the obvious choice for students and researchers interested in the natural world and environment. Alongside having the forests and mountains of Snowdonia, and the cliffs and sandy beaches of Anglesey on our doorstep, the School of Natural Sciences also boasts cutting-edge laboratories and analysis equipment, a botanic garden, research farm, animal care facilities, aquariums, growth rooms and greenhouses, and a natural history museum.
The Project
Cancer incidence and mortality remain unacceptably high in parts of Wales, particularly North Wales, where multiple tumour types are over-represented in an ageing population. Metastasis, the spread of cancer to distant organs, drives most cancer deaths, yet we cannot reliably predict where tumours will spread or how to prevent colonisation. This project tests a new explanation for organ-specific metastasis based on HOX transcription factors, master regulators that encode positional identity during development and contribute to adult tissue identity.
Purpose of the Job
The Research Project Support officer, via desk based research, will identify relevant gene expression databases for primary tumours, metastases, and non-tumour tissues and extract gene expression data, with particular focus on the Hox family of transcription factors.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. To provide desk-based support to the research team in the gathering and analysis of data, including data collection, data entry, scientific literature searches, assisting in design and implementation of research, and assisting in statistical analyses of data.
2. To work as part of a research team to deliver research outcomes, including contributing towards publications in research journals, helping in the preparation of materials for presentation at conferences, supporting the research team in presentation of research outcomes to internal and external stakeholders, taking part in the organisation of events and seminars to disseminate information.
3. To assist and support in the administration of the research project, including arranging research related meetings.
4. To assist and support in the monitoring of financial controls associated with the research project. This might include monitoring and gathering invoices for payment, taking part in research team discussions relating to budgets, entering data and preparing reports in order to monitor research project finance, assisting in the preparation and proposals for research funding.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
5. The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
6. The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
7. The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
8. The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
9. Undergraduate degree in a relevant biological science.
Desirable
10. Postgraduate degree in a relevant subject area.
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
11. Experience in bioinformatic analyses of gene expression data.
12. Experienced in the gathering and analysis of data, including data collection, data entry, scientific literature searches, assisting in design and implementation of research, and assisting in statistical analyses of data.
13. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and interest in specific areas related to the post.
Desirable
14. Analysis of cancer gene expression data, or human gene expression data more generally.
15. Familiarity with cancer biology and cancer gene expression databases.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
16. Good verbal and written skills.
17. Excellent computer skills, including use of R and/or Python.
18. Ability to prioritise work load and work to deadlines.
19. Good analytical skills and present results appropriately.
20. Ability to work as part of a team.
21. No specific Welsh language requirement. Candidates will be expected to work positively in a bilingual environment.
Desirable
22. Familiarity with High Performance Computing infrastructure and Linux environments.
General
We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.