Overview

The Faculty of Health is one of the major UK centres for Education and Research in health and related subjects.  With origins dating back to 1828, the Faculty has a long-standing tradition of excellence in clinical education and research.

The Sheffield Dermatology Research (SDR) group, within the Division of Clinical Medicine, is an internationally recognised leader in Dermatology research with a focus on dry skin conditions such as atopic eczema.

You will join a multidisciplinary team comprising researchers and clinicians from the SDR group led by Prof Michael J Cork and Dr Simon Danby. Working as part of this team you will support ongoing SDR clinical trials and maintain a program of research focused on the role of the skin barrier in the development and progression of atopic eczema. As part of this, you will conduct translational research on the novel application of molecular spectroscopy in dermatology. This will involve identifying new approaches to the analysis of skin spectra in order to develop and validate biomarkers of skin barrier disruption and sub-clinical skin inflammation. You will also oversee sample analysis in line with Good Clinical Laboratory practice (GCLP). Duties will be split between the dermatology volunteer suite and the SDR laboratory at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. For further information about the department please visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design, develop and refine experimental techniques, models and methods in order to obtain reliable data for own purposes and for the wider needs of the group. This involves interpreting the requirements of others and developing solutions.
• Carry out research, which may be of a sensitive or confidential nature, both independently, and as part of a team.
• Carry out clinical research involving human participants in a clinical setting observing good clinical practice.
• Design, implement, and manage clinical studies conducted by the group; including ethics applications, administration duties, seeing volunteers and reporting results.
• Record, analyse and manipulate quantitative and qualitative data, and other information as necessary, from multiple sources to aid/inform the design of future research and produce useful findings for members of the team. Highlight and prioritise any issues for further investigation.
• Provide specialist guidance and support, informed by extensive experience in biophysical skin testing, including in vivo molecular spectroscopy (Raman and ATR-FTIR), to research projects conducted by the group. This includes acting as an experienced point of contact for the group and providing instruction/coaching to junior colleagues as required.
• Supervise and organize junior staff and students
• Manage data collection and storage on a day-to-day basis.
• Liaise closely with other academics, advisers and administrators relevant to the research.
• Take a lead role in the analysis and writing up of data. Assist in the writing of the project website/blog, newsletters, reports and scholarly publications.
• Contribute to conference presentations, practitioner workshops and research advisory group meetings, as well as assisting in the running of them.
• Plan and allocate work and responsibilities over the short-medium term, with an awareness of longer-term issues. Use discretion to determine priorities and resolve conflicts to meet targets and deadlines.
• Liaise and build relationships with the wider University body and attend meetings as required to support and represent the group.
• To read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend relevant seminars and training courses to keep abreast of developments in the field of study.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• A first degree and PhD in a relevant field or equivalent experience (assessed at: application/interview)
• Significant experience in skin analysis, including in vivo Raman and ATR-FTIR spectroscopic techniques (more than 3 years, assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience in conducting clinical research in accordance with good clinical practice (GCP) standards (from developing study protocols to collecting the data from human participants/patients firsthand and analysing the results, assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience in working in a laboratory that handles clinical samples, and ensuring compliance with good clinical laboratory practice (GCLP) standards (assessed at: application/interview)
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures (assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience in using Matlab, R and chemometric software packages (assessed at: application/interview)
• Effective communication skills (both written and verbal) and able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team (assessed at: application/interview)
• Evidence of publication track record commensurate with career stage (assessed at: application)
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem-solving (assessed at: application/interview)
• Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities on multiple projects (assessed at: application/interview)
• The ability to work effectively under pressure and to meet deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy (assessed at: application/interview)
• A flexible approach to the management of workload (assessed at: application/interview)

Desirable criteria

• Ability to interact effectively with external commercial stakeholders (assessed at: application/interview)

Further Information

Grade: 7

Salary: £38,249 - £46,735

Work arrangement: Part-time, 40%

Duration: 15 months starting 17th March

Line manager: Senior Research Fellow

Direct reports: Senior Research Fellow

Our website: https://sheffielddermatologyresearch.com/ and https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph/research/themes/infection-and-immunity

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Dr Simon Danby, Senior Research Fellow: on s.danby@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 2159563

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 10th March 2025. This will consist of an interview including a presentation and a tour of the facilities. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 10th March 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact the Staffing Team at clinmed-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record An enhanced DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Redeployees closing date: 19 Februaruy 2025