Research Fellow in Pharmaceutics

Job Description

Research Fellow: Grade: 7

Department: Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy: Location: London, Bloomsbury Campus

Reports to

Dr Karolina Dziemidowicz

Context

The Faculty of Life Sciences is an exciting and dynamic environment driving forward ambitious and challenging plans for future development. We are committed to enhancing research and teaching in relation to major global challenges, including disease, climate change, sustainability, technological change and the data revolution, and inequality. Ranked No. 1 in London and No. 10 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2021) the Faculty offers an outstanding and diverse portfolio of Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes in biological and biomedical sciences, pharmacy, pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences.

The Faculty is made up of five academic Divisions; the School of Pharmacy, Biosciences, the Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neurocircuits and Behaviour and the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit. In addition it is home to a specialist teaching facility; the Cruciform Teaching Facilities Unit. Some of the constituent parts of the Faculty have long and distinguished histories that can be traced back to the early 19th century when UCL was founded and we are proud to have nine Nobel Laureates associated with Life Sciences Research is integrated into many of our degrees giving students the opportunity to make an original contribution to their field of study. The Faculty builds on research strengths in cell and developmental biology, computational biology, evolutionary and population genetics, cellular and circuits neuroscience, and structural and molecular biology to improve lives and communities and create real world impact. The School of Pharmacy provides opportunities in drug discovery and the Faculty also hosts joint appointments with the Francis Crick Institute.

UCL School of Pharmacy is one of the world’s leading centres of excellence for pharmaceutical science, education and professional engagement, ranked third in the world by QS (2025, Pharmacy and Pharmacology). The Division has a track record in high-quality research across a broad range of drug discovery, pharmacy and patient safety-related areas, and for developing spinout companies that have brought new therapeutic strategies to patients.

Further information can be found on our website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/pharmacy/ The Division is housed in an iconic, dedicated building in Brunswick Square, with additional offices in Tavistock Square.

Main purpose of the job

To be an active member of a research project/team assisting in the development of research proposals and the planning and delivery of the research activity within a specified area so that the overall research objectives of the project are met. The role holder will be expected to produce independent, original contributions to the subject area.

Duties and responsibilities

Develop, plan and undertake scientific research under supervision within a specific research project and work as a member of a research team Design, develop, refine and analyse experiments in order to obtain reliable and publishable data.

Carry out analyses, critical evaluations, and interpretations using methodologies and other techniques appropriate to area of research.

Keep records of all experiments in appropriate storages this includes data files from all types of experiments.

Read academic papers, journals and books to keep abreast of developments in our own area and related disciplines.

Present regular progress reports on the research to members of the research group and to external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.

Prepare, in consultation with supervisor, material for publication in national and international journals and presentations at national and international conferences.

Prepare and present findings of research activity to colleagues for review purposes.

Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with the research project/s to ensure that project/s are completed on time and within budget. These might include organisation of project meetings and documentation, financial control, risk assessment of research activities.

The post holder will comply with appropriate Home Office regulations including taking courses and comply with annual reports and licences.

Be responsible for one or more grade 6B Research Assistants and/or technicians by allocating and supervising their work.

Carry out occasional undergraduate and postgraduate supervision, demonstrating or teaching duties within the post holder’s area of expertise.

Plan for specific aspects of research programmes including the use of research resources, laboratories and workshops where appropriate.

Plan own day-to day activity within framework of the agreed research programme to allow for deadlines for journal publications to be met. To plan and prepare presentations and papers for conferences in consultation with PI and other colleagues as appropriate Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress and ensure research resources are used in the most effective manner, Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may need assistance with their research Liaise on a regular basis with colleagues and students and build contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.

To contribute to UCL’s public engagement programme by establishing links with local community groups, industries etc Join external networks to share information and ideas.

General

The post holder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager, Divisional Director Head of Research Dept, Faculty Dean or other appropriate colleagues Maintain a good working knowledge of UCL, Faculty and Divisional policy and procedures, referring to appropriate colleagues for advice where necessary In addition to these duties the post holder will be expected to be flexible in approach as well as support and work collaboratively with academic and Professional Services colleagues within the Division and Faculty as well as beyond Actively participate in UCL networks, meetings and committees relevant to the role, as required Attend staff meetings and training as required Demonstrate zero tolerance towards bullying, harassment and discriminatory behaviour The post holder will actively follow and promote all UCL policies including those on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

To act as a Fire Evacuation Marshall as required.

The post holder will maintain an awareness and observation of current UCL Fire and Health & Safety Regulations and procedures The post holder, like all academic, research and teaching staff, is expected to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to excellence in line with the academic careers framework https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/policies/2021/feb/academic-career-framework Meet UCL’s expectations set out in the UCL Core Behaviours Framework https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/policies-advice/core-behaviours-framework

Person Specification

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following criteria into your “Statement in support of your application” and describe underneath each criteria how you meet it, giving examples. You will be scored on how you meet each criteria.

Essential Criteria: Assessment method (Application form/ Interview / Practical Test)

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

PhD in pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, biomedical science, or a related discipline. Where the successful candidate is close to completion and awaiting their formal PhD award, the initial appointment will be made at Research Assistant Grade 6B. The appointment will transfer to Grade 7 following confirmation of the PhD award, with the Grade 7 salary backdated to the date of final thesis submission.: Essential Demonstrable laboratory experience in aseptic cell culture technique: Essential Evidence of a publication record in good quality publications: Essential Experience or demonstrable capability in supervising or mentoring MSc or junior research students: Essential Willingness to contribute to grant and manuscript preparation and to represent the project at PPIE events and with clinical collaborators: Essential

Skills and abilities

Proficiency with standard immunoassays (e.g. ELISA, flow cytometry): Essential Ability to teach/demonstrate research methods and techniques: Essential Excellent oral and written communication skills, and demonstrable ability to meet project, manuscript, and publication deadlines: Essential Proven ability to interpret and critically evaluate results, and to analyse and write up data: Essential Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences: Essential

UCL Ways of Working

Commitment to continuing personal & team professional development: Essential Adaptable and flexible with a constructive and collegiate approach: Essential Ability to conduct research with integrity and accountability such that the results obtained can be reproduced easily by others.: Essential Ability to discuss experiments and to communicate ongoing work effectively with colleagues.: Essential Ability to initiate experiments and to work both collaboratively and independently: Essential Open to change, considering new approaches and ideas in all aspects of UCL life and leading by positive example: Essential Commitment to UCL’s policy of equal opportunity and the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds: Essential Desirable Criteria [List one or two desirable criteria only, which are not essential for the job, and will only be scored if there is a tie break.]: Assessment method (Application form/ Interview / Practical Test) Experience with hydrogel or biomaterial formulation and characterisation: Application/Interview Experience working with CAR-T cells, other cellular therapies, or convection-enhanced delivery systems: Application/Interview

HERA reference NJ14-283v2