Research Fellow

The post-holder will contribute to research within the HT-Advance programme, a Horizon 2020-funded project investigating the application of omics-based strategies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine hypertension.

The focus of this post within the project will be the application of mass spectrometry to analyse urinary steroid profiles. The wider programme integrates genetics, genomics, metabolomics and clinical phenotyping to investigate endocrine forms of hypertension, including primary aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma and functional paraganglioma, and Cushing's syndrome. The research aims to identify molecular and metabolic profiles associated with these conditions and evaluate their potential application in patient stratification, diagnosis and treatment.

The post-holder will contribute to the delivery of the research programme through the application of specialist analytical and research methods, analysis and interpretation of complex research data, development and optimisation of research methodologies, dissemination of findings and collaboration with researchers and clinical partners.

Summary of Role:
The post-holder will undertake research within established research programmes, applying specialist expertise in mass spectrometry to generate, analyse and interpret urinary steroid profiles relevant to endocrine disease.

The role will include:
- Applying LC-MS/MS and GC-MS methodologies to the analysis of urinary steroid profiles.
- Preparing and extracting biological samples for mass spectrometry analysis.
- Analysing and critically evaluating complex research data.
- Developing, optimising and validating analytical methods.
- Contributing to research publications, presentations and funding applications.
- Supporting students and contributing to collaborative research activities.
- Working with academic, clinical and technical colleagues across disciplines and institutions.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required.
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
- Analyse and interpret data.
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
- Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
- Undertake management/administration arising from research.
- Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
- Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader.
- Collect research data through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
- Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
- Foster a fair and equitable workplace for all staff.
- Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures.

Person Specification:
- A PhD relevant to the research area (or near completion), or equivalent PhD level qualifications.
- High level analytical capability.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
- Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
- Ability to contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project.
- Ability to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2010, including fostering good relations and advancing the university's Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).