Department of Biosciences

Grade 7/8/9: - £33,797 - £59,135 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 19-Jun-2021, 6:59:00 AM 

Grade: Grade 7/8 (Assistant Professor), 9 (Associate Professor)
Salary Range: £33,797 - £49,553 (Grade 7/8) £52,560 - £59,135 (Grade 9)
Closing date: 18 June 2021 at midnight (UK time)

Successful candidates will ideally be in post by 1^st Jan 2022

The role is full-time but we will consider requests for flexible working arrangements including potential job shares

Durham University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world.

As part of Durham University, you’ll be working with exceptional minds, all with the desire to ask, and answer, the big questions. Access to leading edge facilities and an active contributor to the global research and university community means you’ll be part of an international and diverse network of partners spanning the world’s best research institutions, organisations and businesses. And all this within the evocative and historic surroundings of the city, county and community that is Durham.

We find it easy to be proud of the extraordinary people we have at Durham. We offer the inspiration, they achieve the outstanding. We invite you to join them.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University. We are committed to equality: if for any reason you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on your career path, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will recognise that this may have reduced the quantity of your research accordingly.

Durham University’s Athena Swan institutional award recognises and celebrates good practice in recruiting and supporting the development of women. We have also signed up to the Race Equality Charter, a national framework for improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education.

The Department

The Department of Biosciences at Durham University seeks to appoint a talented individual to the role of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor.  We welcome applications from those with research and teaching interests in any area of Plant Molecular Biology that is consistent with research priorities in the Department. We aim to appoint outstanding new academic staff to strengthen research in cross-disciplinary approaches to fundamental biological questions, potentially with impact on the bioeconomy, and to provide students with an outstanding educational and training experience. Research in the Department is focused around four key themes - animal cells & systems; biomolecular interactions; ecology, evolution & environment; and molecular plant sciences (www.dur.ac.uk/biosciences/research/).

This post offers an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the development of internationally excellent research and teaching while allowing you unrivalled opportunities to progress and embed your career in an exciting and progressive institution. We are particularly interested in receiving outstanding applications from women, and from candidates of ethnic minority backgrounds, to increase our diversity. As an employer committed to promoting the very best talent, we also encourage applications from researchers who may have taken career breaks for family or other reasons, or who may need to consider flexible working. For more information, please visit our Department pages at www.dur.ac.uk/biosciences.

Assistant Professors (Grade 7/8) at Durham

The University is committed to enabling all of our colleagues to achieve their full potential. We promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment to ensure that all colleagues can thrive.  Academic colleagues are supported to publish world-class research in their area of interest with a focus on quality in high impact journals, rather than quantity. We will fully support your research needs including practical, help such as resources to attend conferences and to fund research activity, as well as a generous research leave policy and a designated mentor. Sitting alongside world class research; teaching quality and innovation is critical to ensure a first-class learning environment and curricula for all of our students. You will be supported to develop your teaching expertise and to engage in teaching innovation to embed our student experience.

All of our Assistant Professors are encouraged to focus on research and teaching but also to engage in wider citizenship to enhance their own development, to support their department and wider discipline, and to contribute to the wider student experience.

We are confident that our recruitment process allows us to attract and select the best international talent to Durham. We therefore offer a reduced probation period of 1 year for our Assistant Professors and thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance, you will be confirmed in post.

Associate Professors (Grade 9) at Durham

The University is committed to enabling all of our colleagues to achieve their full potential. We promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment to ensure that all colleagues can thrive. Academic colleagues are supported to publish internationally excellent research in high impact journals in their area of interest with a focus on quality rather than quantity. We will fully support your research needs including practical help such as resources to attend conferences and to fund research activity, as well as a generous research leave policy and a designated mentor. Sitting alongside world class research; teaching quality and innovation is critical to ensure a first class learning environment and curricula for all of our students. You will be supported to develop your existing teaching expertise and to engage in teaching innovation to embed our student experience.

All of our Assistant and Associate Professors are encouraged to focus on research and teaching quality, and innovation. We of course value research income, which is a necessary input to drive research outputs and impact. 

Engagement in wider citizenship is expected as your career develops, to support your department and wider discipline, and to contribute to the wider student experience.

We are confident that our recruitment process allows us to attract and select the best international talent to Durham. We therefore offer a reduced probation period of 1 year for our Associate Professors and thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance, you will be confirmed in post.

Assistant/Associate Professor in Plant Molecular Biology

Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of plant molecular biology with the ability to teach our students to an exceptional standard and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University.   The University provides a working and teaching environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process.

Key responsibilities (Grade 7/8)

• To be developing clear plans for the pursuit of suitable national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement;
• Play a role in relevant teaching and research supervision, and contribute to ongoing curriculum development;
• Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the Department, the wider University and beyond through collaborative research activity;
• Demonstrate a willingness to take contribute to the administrative work, citizenship and values of the Department;
• Offer lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, with the opportunity to teach more widely within the Department, as well as engaging in related activity such as assessment;
• To fully engage in and enhance the values of the Department;
• To contribute to attracting and supervising research students, and to enhance the Department’s commitment to its vibrant and international postgraduate culture.
• Carry out such other duties as specified by the Head of Department.

Key responsibilities (Grade 9)

• Pursue research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, commensurate with the Department’s continuing emphasis on international excellence;
• To make a significant contribution to the development of successful research project/ fellowship proposals in pursuit of suitable national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement.
• Deliver excellent teaching offering lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels. Contribute significantly to the development and delivery of high quality teaching, including the design of excellent learning environments and curricula.
• Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the Department, the wider University and beyond. Contribute to establishing and leading research groups within and beyond the University, and engaging in the mentoring of early career researchers;
• To attract and provide excellent supervision to research students, and to enhance the Department’s commitment to its vibrant and international postgraduate culture.
• Contribute significantly to the administrative functioning and collegial environment of the Department and wider University, undertaking leadership activities which support the functioning of the Department and wider University.
• To fully engage in, champion and enhance the values of the Department;
• Carry out such other duties as specified by the Head of Department.

Person Specification (Grade 7/8)

Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of plant molecular biology with the ability to teach our students to an exceptional standard and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University. Candidates applying for a grade 7 post will have recently completed or be concluding their PhD and, while they may have limited direct experience of the requirements for the post, they must outline their experience, skills and achievements to date which demonstrate that they meet or that they have the potential to achieve the essential criteria.  

Candidates applying for a grade 8 post must meet all of the essential criteria. 

Research

Candidates must have capacity for and be progressing towards the independent development of internationally excellent research that produces high quality outcomes, including some work that is recognised as world class. 

Essential Research Criteria – Grade 7

1. Qualifications - a good first degree and a PhD in Biosciences or a related subject (which for grade 7 candidates may be completed or under examination).
2. Outputs - experience, skills and/or achievements which demonstrate experience of or the potential to produce high quality outputs, some of which is recognised as world-class. Candidates are asked to submit two research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below). Candidates may additionally choose to submit evidence such as external peer review of their outputs.
3. Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances the Department of Biosciences research strategy.

Essential Research Criteria – Grade 8

1. Qualifications - a good first degree and a PhD in Biosciences or a related subject.
2. Outputs - evidence of high-quality outputs, some of which is recognised as world-class. Candidates are asked to submit two research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below).  Candidates may additionally choose to submit evidence such as external peer review of their outputs.    
3. Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances the Department of Biosciences research strategy.

Teaching

Candidates must demonstrate the development and delivery of high-quality teaching that contributes to providing a world class learning environment and curricula which enables students to achieve their potential. 

Essential Teaching Criteria – Grade 7

1. Qualification - candidates must be or have the ability to attain the rank of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/individuals/fellowship/fellow), which is the national body that champions teaching excellence.
2. Quality - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to deliver high quality teaching.
3. Innovation – experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to innovate in the design and delivery of high-quality teaching or assessment of learning including lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment. 
4. Strategic - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to engage in the design of excellent teaching programmes which are research informed and led.

Essential Teaching Criteria – Grade 8

1. Qualification - candidates must be or have the ability to attain the rank of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/individuals/fellowship/fellow), which is the national body that champions teaching excellence.
2. Quality - evidence of the development and delivery of high-quality teaching.
3. Innovation – evidence of innovation in the design and delivery of high-quality teaching or assessment of learning including lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment. 
4. Strategic - evidence of strategic teaching development - engagement in the design of excellent teaching programmes which are research informed and led.

Services, Citizenship and Values

Candidates must actively engage in the administrative requirements of the Department and positively contribute to fostering a collegial environment; as well as demonstrating their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Essential Services, Citizenship and Values criteria – Grade 7

1. Collegial contribution – experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to participate in the collegial/administrative activities or an academic Department, Faculty or University.  (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, mentoring activity, engagement with widening participation, involvement in equality and diversity initiatives and membership or engagement with external bodies).
2. Leadership - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to engage in activities that contribute to the administrative functioning of an academic Department, Faculty, University and/or discipline including leadership or responsibilities in an academic context.  (Candidates may choose to detail any leadership roles which they have undertaken, preferably in an academic context).
3. Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.

Essential Services, Citizenship and Values criteria – Grade 8

1. Collegial contribution – evidence of participation in the collegial/administrative activities of an academic Department, Faculty or University. (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, mentoring activity, engagement with widening participation, involvement in equality and diversity initiatives and membership or engagement with external bodies).
2. Leadership - engagement in activities that contribute to the administrative functioning of an academic Department, Faculty, University and/or discipline including leadership or responsibilities in an academic context.  (Candidates may choose to detail any leadership roles which they have undertaken, preferably in an academic context).
3. Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.

Desirable Criteria – Grade 7

The desirable criteria for this post (for which candidates should provide evidence of some if not all criteria) are:

1. Research Leadership - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to contribute to the leadership of research groups and the mentoring of early career researchers.  (Candidates may choose to include information about research group leadership, mentoring of research colleagues, invitations to external events, engagement with international networks or projects).
2. PhD Supervision – experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to provide excellent supervision for PhD students. 
3. Research Impact - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to evidence research impact beyond their institution.  
4. Income Generation - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to develop successful research project proposals. 
5. Industrial Engagement - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to develop successful interactions with the Agri-technology sector. 

Desirable Criteria – Grade 8

The desirable criteria for this post (for which candidates should provide evidence of some if not all criteria) are:

1. Research Leadership - contribution to the leadership of research groups and the mentoring of early career researchers. (Candidates may choose to include information about research group leadership, mentoring of research colleagues, invitations to external events, engagement with international networks or projects).
2. PhD Supervision – involvement in the provision of excellent supervision for PhD students. 
3. Research Impact - demonstrable evidence of the impact of the Candidate’s research beyond their institution.  
4. Income Generation - evidence of engagement in the development of successful research project proposals. 
5. Industrial Engagement - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to develop successful interactions with the Agri-technology sector. 

Person Specification (Grade 9)

Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of plant molecular biology with the ability to teach our students to an exceptional standard and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University.

Candidates applying for a grade 9 post must meet all of the essential criteria.  

Research

Candidates must demonstrate a major contribution to their research field with impact beyond their own institution with outputs consistently recognised as internationally excellent, with some outputs either being world class or the candidate having the potential to achieve world class.   

Essential Research Criteria

1. Qualifications - a good first degree and a PhD in Biosciences or a related subject.
2. Outputs - evidence of internationally excellent research outputs, some of which are evaluated as world class. Candidates are asked to submit four research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below).  Candidates may additionally choose to submit evidence such as external peer review of their outputs.
3. Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances the Department of Biosciences research strategy.

Teaching

Candidates must make a significant contribution to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching with demonstrable contribution to the design of excellent learning environments and curricula that enables students to achieve their potential. 

Essential Teaching Criteria

1. Qualification - candidates must be or have the ability to attain the rank of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/individuals/fellowship/fellow), which is the national body that champions teaching excellence.
2. Quality - making a significant contribution to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching at a nationally competitive level. (Candidates may choose to provide student evaluation scores and/or peer reviews of teaching).
3. Innovation – evidence of successful development of innovative teaching methods for the design / delivery of high-quality teaching at a nationally competitive level including lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment. 
4. Strategic - evidence of significant contribution to the creation of nationally excellent learning environments and teaching programmes that enable students to achieve their potential.

Services, Citizenship and Values

Candidates will actively engage in the administrative requirements of the Department and positively contribute to fostering a collegial environment; as well as demonstrating their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Essential Services, Citizenship and Values criteria

1. Collegial contribution – a demonstrable contribution to the collegial work and environment of an academic Department and / or discipline. (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, mentoring activity, engagement with widening participation, involvement in equality and diversity initiatives and membership or engagement with external bodies).
2. Leadership - evidence of leadership roles or a significant contribution to leadership activities that support the administrative functioning of an academic Department, Faculty or University and / or which support the development of the relevant discipline.  (Candidates may choose to detail any leadership roles which they have undertaken, preferably in an academic context).
3. Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.

Desirable Criteria

The desirable criteria for this post (for which candidates should provide evidence of some if not all criteria) are:

1. Research Leadership - significant contribution to establishing and leading research groups within and beyond the candidate’s institution, a recognised contribution to the development of the relevant research field, and engagement in the mentoring of early career researchers.  Significant contribution to the development of successful research project / fellowship proposals. (Candidates may choose to include information about research group leadership, mentoring of research colleagues, invitations to external events, engagement with international networks or projects).
2. PhD Supervision – the successful recruitment and excellent supervision of PhD students. 
3. Research Impact - evidence of a significant contribution to the development of research that has a demonstrable impact beyond the Candidate’s institution.  
4. Income Generation - significant contribution to the development of successful research project / fellowship proposals. 
5. Industrial Engagement - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of developing successful interactions with the Agri-technology sector. 

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries

Professor Martin Cann, Head of Department.

m.j.cann@durham.ac.uk

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).

University contact for general queries about the recruitment process

Sophie Smart, HR Administrator (Recruitment)

sophie.smart2@durham.ac.uk