Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Salary:

Lecturer: £39,347 to £44,263 per annum

Senior Lecturer: £45,585 to £64,914 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 17 December 2023

The Role

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES), Newcastle University is seeking to recruit two posts at Lecturer or Senior Lecturer to be based within the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MBB) Area of Expertise. 

Your research interests must align with our activities, and you will strengthen our expertise in either of the following areas,
1.    Synthetic Biology and Engineering Biology. We are interested in applicants working in any area of plant, microbial or invertebrate synthetic biology, including those who use computational tools to enable effective forward engineering of biological systems.
2.    Bioinformatics and Genomics. We are interested in applicants who have expertise in bioinformatics and genomics of plant, microbial or invertebrate systems.

The successful candidates will work in a collegiate environment to conduct excellent research and deliver high quality research-led teaching related to their disciplinary expertise. You will be expected to develop an externally funded research programme with excellent outcomes related to nationally and internationally relevant research goals. You will also contribute to specific academic administrative roles as defined by senior management.

The successful candidates will join an enthusiastic and supportive biological sciences community. MBB have research and teaching interests across plant, microbial and invertebrate systems. In addition, MBB are co-located with the Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex Biosystems group (School of Computing) and the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (School of Architecture Planning and Landscape). The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in a unique environment comprising biologists, biotechnologists, computer scientists and architects.

Importantly, one of these two posts will be aligned with the Digital Skills Educational Initiative, led by the School of Computing Science, and being developed across the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering. The purpose of the Digital Skills Initiative is to enhance the computational skills of undergraduate and postgraduate students in degree programmes across the Faculty. The successful candidate will therefore be required to work closely with colleagues in the School of Computing, the School of Engineering and the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics to develop educational resources that enhance computational literacy of all our students. Please indicate in your application cover letter if you wish to be considered for this role.

The University has developed an Academic Job Summary Guidance document which summarises the range of activities that academic colleagues may be expected to perform.

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES) was formed in 2017 as an outcome of our ‘Science and Engineering Excellence Project’, and it comprises over 120 academic staff. It is home to life scientists, agriculture researchers, chemistry, life sciences, and is part of the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE). Our School delivers a broad spectrum of interdiscplinary research, from discovery-led to applied, founded on a world-class academic base, and to provide excellence in education for undergraduates and postgraduates who can make a difference to society.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment and we would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working.

These posts are permanent and full time.

For further information about these roles or for informal enquiries please contact,

Professor Paul Race (Director of Expertise, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; paul.race1@newcastle.ac.uk)

To apply, please provide the following documents:

(i) A cover letter detailing how you meet the Person Specifications for either a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer appointment, how a position at Newcastle University will foster your academic career and how your research complements the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Area of Expertise in SNES;

(ii) A full curriculum vitae including details of your qualifications and publications, including any relevant research funding, post-graduate supervision, technical or teaching experiences and citizenship activities.

(iii) A research statement of no more than two-sides of A4. Your statement should include details of your proposed research area, your research goals and a three-year plan for the role.

(iv) A Teaching Statement of no more than two sides of A4. Your statement should include details of your existing or proposed teaching area(s), a description of your teaching philosophy and how these can contribute to the Digital Skills Initiative.

Please upload your cover letter, research and teaching statements as one PDF document to the cover letter section of our recruitment system. Any other attachments included in the ‘Additional Document' section may not be received by the reviewing panel.

Key Accountabilities

⦁    To lead research activities, individually and/or in collaboration with others, that results in internationally excellent research publications
⦁    To seek and to obtain external funding to support your research activities
⦁    To develop and deliver high quality undergraduate and postgraduate teaching that is informed by your research discipline and in line with the goals of the Digital Skills Initiative, to supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, and to act as a personal tutor
⦁    To contribute as required to curriculum development and review processes, and to administrative boards relating to the management and development of our degree programmes
⦁    To develop an internationally visible research profile that enhances the academic reputation of the School and University in the biosciences, nationally and internationally
⦁    To complete and pass the teaching and learning University training programme (NEPS) or to have an equivalent teaching qualification
⦁    To act in a collegiate manner, and to make a positive contribution to enhancing a working environment that seeks equality, diversity and inclusivity

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 
Essential for Lecturer
⦁    In depth subject knowledge relevant to your research specialism (for the post aligned to the Digital Skills Education Initiative, this includes an ability to teach computational skills)
⦁    An understanding of the UK and international funding landscape relating to your research goals
⦁    Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to develop research networks within your discipline
⦁    A track record of publishing excellent primary research in peer-reviewed, internationally recognised journals
⦁    Evidence of presentation of work to the national and international research community (e.g. conferences, seminars and similar high profile events)

Essential for Senior Lecturer
⦁    Experience of teaching in higher education, with an ability to communicate effectively when supervising and training students
⦁    An ability to develop research networks across disciplinary boundaries and sectors
⦁    Experience applying for and obtaining external research funding as a Principal Investigator
⦁    Experience of successful leadership of funded research
⦁    Experience of supervising staff and/or PhD students
⦁    Experience of developing innovative teaching practices at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels
⦁    Experience of leading curriculum development and programme administration
⦁    Experience of providing mentoring, academic guidance and pastoral support to undergraduate or postgraduate students

Desirable for Senior Lecturer
⦁    Participation, management or fundraising activities for outreach or widening participation initiatives e.g., external visits, public lectures or contributions to events and summer schools

Attributes and Behaviour

⦁    A commitment to foster a diverse and inclusive environment, where colleagues and students are treated fairly and with respect
⦁    The ability to meet the University's standard for research excellence
⦁    The ability to communicate complex oral and written information clearly
⦁    The ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative
⦁    The ability and willingness to work in interdisciplinary environments
⦁    The ability to engage with and respond enthusiastically and positively to students
⦁    The ability to engage in pastoral care where appropriate
⦁    The ability to work collaboratively and constructively with all members of staff

Qualifications

⦁    A PHD in an area relevant to the post

Desirable
⦁    A Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy or equivalent teaching qualification
 

 Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 26389