Research Associate (Fellow) (Newcastle, GB)

Salary: £35,116 to £45,413 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: 18 April 2025

The Role

The Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) at Newcastle University is committed to recruiting and mentoring early career scientists who have demonstrated the potential to be future research leaders in their field. We are offering an exciting new fellowship opportunity for a post-doctoral scientist with the ambition and track record to develop into an independent research investigator in childhood cancer and leukaemia.

Childhood cancer and leukaemia research is a key strategic area of academic and clinical strength in Newcastle, focused within Newcastle University and the Great North Children’s Hospital. The University’s Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre is a multi-million-pound facility which houses one of the leading paediatric oncology translational research programmes in Europe.

You will have a strong track record of research commensurate with your career stage. Your CV and publication track record will clearly demonstrate scientific excellence and an ability to innovate which, with the help of our dedicated mentorship scheme, can be expected to lead to funding of your science by research councils, major charities and industry. You will be supported and resourced to develop a strong application for an external fellowship and to establish your own independent research team. A competitive start up package is available.

You will have a PhD in the subject area, an excellent publication record, and be highly competitive and eligible for prestigious externally funded fellowships. Career breaks will be taken into account.

This post is a fixed term contract until 31 March 2027.

For informal enquiries please contact: Anthony Moorman (Anthony.moorman@newcastle.ac.uk)

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/

Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require medical clearance before you can commence in the role

Key Accountabilities

Working with an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will develop a programme of research relevant to childhood cancer research Develop and carry out an independent programme of research using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required Apply for external fellowship funding to support research beyond the initial time period of this post Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations Take a leading role in writing up their research for publication in high impact journals. Also disseminate their research through seminar and conference presentations Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students, PhD students or Research Assistants Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute. To initiate and participate in inter-disciplinary collaborations within the University, nationally and, with time, internationally May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment

The focus of this position is on research excellence and the ability to attract independent research funding, specifically an externally funded fellowship. Teaching responsibilities will be minimal for the first three years, but an aptitude and enthusiasm for teaching will be welcome and is encouraged.

Criteria for assessment of performance when the applicant is in post:

The production of high-quality publications as lead or corresponding author (benchmark REF 2029 returnable e.g. of 3-4* quality) that have a significant impact in your chosen field of research The ability to secure external intermediate fellowship funding that is sufficient to sustain an excellent programme of research in the chosen field The receipt of invitations to speak at international scientific meetings The extent of the contribution to the culture and general strength of the Institute by, for example, fostering collaborations, patient and public involvement and engagement, contributing to the acquisition, or running of key services Teaching and scholarship activities in line with the Academic Staff Career Pathway and effective participation in postgraduate and undergraduate training (supervision of required number of students as set by Faculty for each PI)

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills Detailed subject knowledge in your chosen area of research Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects High level of analytical and problem-solving capability Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications Ability to identify important research questions, evaluate concept/theories and develop coherent research plan that would be suitable for an externally funded Fellowship Experience in learning and using advanced research methods, tools and techniques appropriate to your chosen area of research Experience supervising junior members of the research team e.g. students

Desirable

Experience of developing post-research impact beyond academia High quality teaching Experience in designing and delivering research projects – either as part of large and/or complex projects or as an individual researcher Experience of grant writing and attracting external research funding Play and/or have played a leadership role in mentoring junior colleagues or co-ordinating the work of other staff

Attributes and Behaviour

Applicants should be highly motivated with a demonstrable drive to succeed and produce work at the highest level Clear commitment to a career in research A capacity for original thought Willingness to take on extra responsibilities and can contribute to broader organisational and management processes

Qualifications

Honours degree and PhD in a relevant area of research Demonstrable background in a relevant area of research

Desirable

Previous postdoctoral experience

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: 27959

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