JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Bioinformatics e-learning officer
POST REF: 15P-33
The Pirbright Institute is a unique national centre that works through its highly innovative fundamental and applied bioscience to enhance the UK capability to contain, control, and eliminate viral diseases of animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. We thereby support the competitiveness of UK livestock and poultry producers, and improve the health and quality of life of both animals and people.
The Pirbright Institute is currently situated on two campuses, Pirbright Laboratory in Surrey and Compton Laboratory in Berkshire. The process of transferring Compton Laboratory activities to Pirbright is underway.
LOCATION
This post is based at Pirbright.
PURPOSE
A review of bioinformatics and biomathematics at institutes strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) identified a need to improve the provision of training in these areas and made funding available to do so.
This post is to develop training materials for bioinformatics, with a particular focus on e-learning to ensure maximum use of the materials. This will include adapting existing training material in basic statistics and bioinformatics and developing new material for areas where there is a particular need at the Institute. For example, this could include sequence analysis (including next-generation sequencing data), phylogeny reconstruction or transcriptomics.
ORGANISATION POSITION
The post will be based in the Bioinformatics group and report to the Head of Bioinformatics. In addition, the post holder will work closely with the Integrated and Mathematical Biology groups and the training team through the Head of Academic Affairs & Training.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for developing e-learning materials in bioinformatics:
• Identifying training needs in bioinformatics and biomathematics at the Institute
• Developing training materials to address these needs, including trialling course material
• Liaising with staff at other BBSRC funded institutes engaged in training 100%
This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Human Resources department and The Pirbright Institute.
All employees shall actively participate in the Institute-wide quality assurance system in conjunction with the Institute’s Quality Manager. Employees are also expected to safeguard their own health and safety and security by following policies and all employees are responsible for the Health and Safety and security of staff under their management.
BENEFITS OF THE POST
The post is graded at a Band D and is a limited term contract with funding until 31st December 2016. The salary is £32,200 depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full time role of 37 hour week, Monday to Friday.
Pension
Qualifying staff will automatically be enrolled into the Pirbright Institute Group Personal Pension Scheme (subject to age and earnings) which is administered by Aviva. This is a salary exchange scheme. Those staff who do not immediately qualify will be given an opportunity to opt into the scheme. Shortly after commencing employment members of staff that have been auto-enrolled will receive separate information outlining the options open to them and the scheme details. This will be sent from the pension provider. The Institute does not make contributions to other personal pension schemes.
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment plus 10.5 days public and privilege days. The Institute has a subsidised child care scheme, staff restaurant and free parking.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Any offer of employment will be subject to security screening, health clearance, receipt of satisfactory references, and continued right to work and remain in the UK.
• The Institute is engaged in Research work on a number of virus diseases of livestock, several of which are highly infectious to livestock, compliance with the Disease Security Regulations is an essential requirement of employment. Where disease agents of birds and other domestic animals are being studied specific restrictions to contact with these species may apply off site/ at home. Such restrictions will be applied on a case by case basis subject to on the individual’s work portfolio and access to relevant facility areas. In case of poultry and horses it may require 3-5 days of no contact after handling/having contact with these pathogens and materials potentially carrying these agents.
• For those applicants where English is not their first language, please note that the successful applicant must be able to prove their ability to communicate in English. The required standard for the Pirbright Institute has been set as an overall mark of 7.0 in the IELTS qualification (with no lower than 7.0 for listening and reading, no lower than 6.5 for speaking and no lower than 6.0 for writing) or the equivalent in an alternative qualification
Closing date: 30th August 2015
Interview to be held on: TBC
HOW TO APPLY
It is an Institute policy to use a Pirbright Institute application form, please ensure that you complete this form as a CV alone will not be accepted.
To view or apply for this vacancy please visit The Pirbright Institute vacancy website, where an application form and further details can be found: http://www.pirbright.ac.uk/jobs/Jobs.aspx (job reference 15P-33).
Please send applications to:
Human Resources, The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF
Email: pirbright.hr@pirbright.ac.uk
If you are unable to apply on-line, please contact The Pirbright Institute by telephone on 01483 232441 and ask for the Human Resources department or email pirbright.hr@pirbright.ac.uk
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
• A degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (s)
Desirable:
• A PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject (s)
Specific skills
Essential:
• Experience of bioinformatics applications, for example sequence analysis, phylogeny reconstruction or transcriptomics (s/i)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively (i)
Desirable:
• Experience of developing and providing training in bioinformatics (i)
• Experience of developing e-learning modules (i)
• Experience of scientific computing and software development (i)
Personal Skills
Essential:
• Time management skills (i)
• Reliability under pressure (i)
• Decision making and problem solving skills (i)
Special Requirements
Essential:
• Capacity to travel within UK, with long hours and occasional overnight stays (i)
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Source: Nature Jobs
