Programme Leader Track Scientist ref SG/364

Open Date
04/11/2016, 00:04
Close Date
31/12/2016, 23:55
MRC Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit
The MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (CBU) is an internationally renowned research institute of cognitive neuroscience. Onsite facilities include MRI and MEG scanners, a hearing laboratory, and a developmental research centre for children. The CBU currently has 13 research programmes organised within four research areas of attention and cognitive control, hearing and language, memory and perception, and mental health. It is also a stakeholder in a clinical research facility and a new 7T ultra high field MRI scanner, both of which are located nearby at the Addenbrooke’s Biomedical Campus in Cambridge.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org

MRC - 2/3
Cambridge
£37,024 - £43,520
Permanent
Science
Full Time

We are seeking to appoint two Programme Leader Track scientists to direct their own research programmes. The successful applicants will be early career researchers who have already shown evidence of the ability to lead independent research and have a strong commitment to developing collaborative opportunities within the CBU and the University of Cambridge. The proposed new programmes should be innovative and theory-led, meet international criteria for research quality, and employ the best in contemporary research methods that takes full advantage of the excellent local research infrastructure.

The first programme will add to existing CBU translational research strengths in clinically-relevant areas including (but not restricted to) mental health, neuropsychology, and cognitive developmental disorders. The second programme may fall within any of the broad areas of current CBU research.


Main duties / key responsibilities:


Planning the scientific direction of own research group to address the mission and objectives of the CBU, and being responsible for presenting the programme for peer review in accordance with MRC funding procedures.

Directing the research of own research group, supervising projects personally and overseeing projects delegated to group members.

Determining, obtaining and managing the resource requirements to sustain own research programme, including the staffing structure required to achieve its goals.

Identifying translational opportunities arising from own core scientific programme where appropriate, and developing relevant partnerships that extend beyond the immediate academic community to make progress towards benefits for human health and well-being.

Establishing the strategy for dissemination of research output from the group by the publication of results, presentations at scientific meetings, and responding to media enquiries.

Participating in recruitment, management, and career development of group members.

Contributing to the aims and scientific direction of the Unit by membership of senior management forums, and by consultation and collaboration with other members of the Unit; undertaking Unit-wide responsibilities where appropriate, for example through membership of committees.

Contributing to the Unit’s programme of public engagement activities.

Generating and managing further collaborations, both with scientists within the Unit and externally, in order to expand the scope of the programme. This may include identifying, obtaining, and managing resources and funding from non-MRC sources.

Contributing to the MRC’s commitment in the areas of training, enhancing public awareness of scientific issues, interaction with academic and health service providers and commercial exploitation where appropriate.

Contributing to scientific progress in the field as a whole by, for example, membership of expert committees, editing specialist journals, refereeing funding applications.

The first programme will add to existing CBU translational research strengths in clinically-relevant areas including (but not restricted to) mental health, neuropsychology, and cognitive developmental disorders. The second programme may fall within any of the broad areas of current CBU research.

Essential

PhD in a relevent discipline

Substantial postdoctoral research experience which has resulted in major publications as a senior author that of internationally recognised quality

Experience leading new projects with a strong potential for a programmatic approach in areas that lie within scope for MRC funding

Understanding of the opportunities to secure research income from external sources within the field of study

Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a cooperative research environment

Desirable

Successful collaborative working with researchg teams with complementary expertise

Our success is dependent on our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our staff.  As holders of an Athena SWAN bronze award we are committed to equality and diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As users of the “Two Ticks” disability symbol we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum essential criteria for the post.

For informal queries please contact:

Debbie Davies (Equality & Diversity and HR-related issues, Debbie.Davies@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk)

Professor Susan Gathercole (job specification and science queries, Susan.Gathercole@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk)

The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions.The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.

Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.

Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.

We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.  The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

This opportunity is closed to applications.