Deadline for receipt of an Expression of Interest is 4pm 22 May 2024. We expect to inform applicants of the outcome by the end of the May 2024. Full applications will then be invited with a deadline of 1 July 2024.
As part of a successful ongoing strategy for the development of our science alongside our researchers, we are in a position to offer an exciting opportunity for a Pirbright Strategic Career Development Award (CDA). The Pirbright Strategic CDA supports promising early career researchers to provide a level of experience and independence that promotes career development while delivering strategically important science aligned with Pirbright’s Science Strategy and our Institute Strategic Programmes. These positions enable talented and promising early career researchers the opportunity to undertake a programme of research to deliver their own strategically important science and progress towards full independence. We anticipate making up to three awards.
Pirbright Strategic CDA holders will be embedded with a relevant research group, working within a supportive environment being well positioned to work towards independence, enhancing their skills and experience to be competitive for future fellowship applications or similar opportunities.
Pirbright Strategic Career Development Award opportunities
Pirbright Strategic Career Development Award positions are available either at post-doctoral (band D from £37.089), or senior post-doctoral level (band E from £45,134) depending on skills and experience.
Pirbright Strategic CDA positions include funding and access to resources as outlined:
- 3 years’ salary funding, fixed term position.
- Annual budget of £10k for consumables and travel. Additional funding can be secured on a case-by-case basis, via a request made through and approved by the Institute’s Science Committee.
- Pirbright Strategic CDA holders will have access to training and development opportunities, with an emphasis on developing management and leadership skills, to help support a transition to the next career stage.
- Access to Pirbright Science Technology Platforms and all other capabilities and facilities at Pirbright.
- An opportunity to be embedded within a supportive research environment.
Given the emphasis on career progression a key requirement of the role will be to seek out and establish strong mentorship, in terms of scientific mentorship as well as support for personal and professional development.
Pirbright Strategic CDA holders may be encouraged and supported to apply for external grant funding, in particular for funding schemes that include all or a significant amount of salary support, including for example external Fellowship schemes and UKRI Researcher Co-Investigator opportunities.
Within the 3 year award, Pirbright Strategic CDA holders will be expected to demonstrate:
- Validated progress in the selected field of research, aligned to Pirbright’s Institute Strategic Programmes.
- Evidence of independence, including the development of a clear scientific niche within the host group.
- Evidence of scientific outputs, such as publications, data sets, biological resource development, invention disclosure or IP generation, impact and influence on policy for example.
- A measurable positive contribution towards Institute and wider community activities.
These awards are expected to support the delivery of Pirbright’s Institute Strategic Programme Grants (ISPGs), as well as support personal and professional development, and to be embedded within an existing research group. As such we are inviting Expressions of Interest for the awards. This will enable us to support applicants in the development of a full application. Expressions of Interest will be reviewed by Pirbright’s Science Committee, who will assess the suitability of the individual, as well as the scientific area of interest and alignment with Pirbright science. Those applicants who are invited to submit a full application will then receive personal support to align their scientific objectives with Pirbright strategic science. We will also support applicants to identify the appropriate group to host the Pirbright Strategic CDA, and there will be time to develop plans with the appropriate research group leader prior to submission of a full application. This will allow all applications to be appropriately tailored and all applicants to be properly supported.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Pirbright Strategic CDA
- Undertake independent research to support Pirbright strategic science.
- Contribute to and demonstrate development of new knowledge, through scientific publications and other appropriate science outputs and outcomes, including datasets, resources, and invention disclosures.
- Contribute to the delivery of impact, including contributing to academic benefits, as well as societal and economic benefits.
- Develop internal and external scientific collaborations.
- Interact with and support the activities within the host group laboratory.
- With support, identify and engage in relevant training (internal and external) to cover both specific technical and scientific requirement, as well as the development of management and leadership skills and any other personal development.
- Contribute to the wider activities of The Pirbright Institute. This includes contributing to a positive institute culture.
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 Pirbright Institute.
Personal specification
We expect applicants for these roles to possess a clear plan for developing an area of strategically important science, as well as clearly defined plans for professional and personal development. Science plans should take advantage of and exploit the unique capabilities and facilities at Pirbright.
Applications are expected to have an excellent track record relative to career stage and show evidence of promise and potential, with the ambition to advance towards scientific independence and future scientific leadership.
Specific requirements
Essential
- PhD in a relevant field and evidence to demonstrate scientific potential.
- Have a compelling, innovative, research proposal which will contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge and understanding in a relevant field.
- Evidence of independent vision, or potential promise of independence, in carrying out scientific research.
- An excellent track record of delivering impact, relative to career stage,
- Evidence of excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively within a team.
- A strong collaborative focus in research including evidence of successful working with other people, students and groups.
Desirable
- Experience of leading small grant applications or contribution to larger applications.
What we offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with the responsibilities of the role
- Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings)
- 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days
- Other benefits include free onsite parking, Pirbright gym with subsidised membership, subsidised staff restaurant, Pirbright social club, childcare allowance, cycle to work scheme, Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount scheme)
- Please contact the Talent Acquisition team on jobs@pirbright.ac.uk if you would like to discuss the facilities and resources available prior to making an application.
APPLICATION GUIDANCE/REQUIREMENTS:
An Expression of Interest should include a CV and a 2-page outline (Arial, font size 11) with the following details: title of the Pirbright Strategic CDA, major scientific aims, objectives and approaches for scientific delivery, why Pirbright represents an ideal environment for your research, why this is the appropriate career development opportunity at this stage of your career and details of your long-term scientific ambition.
A full application for those invited to submit will be a 3 page application (Arial font size 11), CV and an accompanying letter of support from the host Group Leader or Fellow to cover:
- Scientific plans, aims and objectives.
- There must be a clear articulation of the strategic importance of the work for Pirbright.
- There must be clear articulation of why a Pirbright Strategic CDA is the most appropriate next step for longer term career aims.
- It must be clear which group the Pirbright Strategic CDA holder would be embedded in. With a clear justification for group choice, how they are scientifically aligned with the group, and how they will be able to work towards independence within the group.
- The application should also provide details of how the Pirbright Strategic CDA holder would contribute to wider Institute activities, including how they would contribute to a positive research institute culture.
- Plans for development – there should be details about how the Pirbright Strategic CDA will enable career and personal development.
- Gantt chart, or CDA project plan: this should include scientific plans and plans for professional and personal development for the duration of the CDA, in one diagram.
- A statement of support, up to a max. of one page, from the host Group Leader or Fellow must be provided. The GL or Fellow should indicate how they will support the Pirbright Strategic CDA holder to work towards independence as well as ensure delivery of strategic science.
Please send your application to jobs@pirbright.ac.uk, outlining the position you're applying for including, FAO Shannon Ward, Talent Acquisition Business Partner.