Current Positions:

Position title: Mass Spectrometrist.

Reporting to: Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).

Main purpose of the position:
The position holder will carry out metabonomics studies, as directed by the CSO, using mass spectrometry (MS) of biofluids and other suitable samples. Many such studies require a separation step in the analysis and the position holder will also carry this out usually using liquid chromatography (LC). The data will be processed using commercial and proprietary software. Biochemical deductions as to the nature of the samples will be made on the basis of the spectroscopic data. The position holder is required to produce written reports of the studies for sign-off by line management.

Major objectives:
The position holder will be an expert in the disciplines of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry who can take functional decisions in this field, and will apply this expertise to studies undertaken by the company. These studies will be complex, requiring sound technical and scientific assessment, the complexity arising from interacting factors, and the solution requiring considerable theoretical and practical appreciation. Wrong decisions could lead to inefficiency and/or have financial consequences.

The work requires the thorough interpretation of current technology relevant to the discipline, the ability to assess its relevance and to incorporate it into the company’s laboratory operations in order to maintain, modify and enhance the company’s technical activities and competence.

The position holder is required to provide creative and innovative input to the job. And considerable interpretive thinking is required because of the interaction of the various diverse aspects of the position. The job-holder must be able to devise and implement changes to company techniques and procedure.

The position requires good communication skills both written and verbal. It is required that the position holder can liaise with other staff in the company to ensure efficient progress on scientific contracts that need integrated efforts from more than one discipline. The position carries responsibility for the communication of fully-interpreted studies both within the company and to company clients. It is expected that the position holder will present results, where appropriate, at external meeting such as client premises, at scientific conferences and in publications.

The position holder may have line responsibility for one or more technical staff and will participate in personnel selection, assessment, counseling and career development.

The position holder will work independently to specific objectives defined by individual projects and will exercise any supervisory duties with only periodic reference to higher line management. It is expected that any guidance will be actively sought since there is considerable freedom of action within the discipline in achieving objectives. The job holder will recommend to the CSO capital purchases in LC and MS equipment to enhance the company operation.

Authority over resources:
The position holder will work on a day-day basis given guidelines from the CSO for specific projects.
The position holder will have complete authority over the operation and maintenance of the LC, MS and ancillary instrumentation.
The position holder will be allowed to order minor pieces of equipment and consumable items to ensure efficient laboratory operation to maximum of £200. More expensive items will require permission form the CSO.

Limits of position:
All reports to clients need to be countersigned by the CSO.
Prior permission needs to be sought for incidental purchases over £200, for capital expenditure and for travel away from the company site.

Anticipated level of qualification and experience:
It is expected that to carry out this position successfully, the job holder will have gained a PhD qualification in mass spectrometry, and will have significant experience of operation of modern mass spectrometers, coupled to separation systems such as LC. Postdoctoral experience in research in the use of LC-MS to biochemical studies would be an advantage. A good working knowledge of mammalian biochemistry would be preferred.

Back to top

Position title: NMR Spectroscopist.

Reporting to: Chief Scientific Officer (CSO).

Main purpose of the position:
The position holder will carry out metabonomics studies, as directed by the CSO, using NMR spectroscopy of biofluids and other suitable samples. The data will be processed using commercial and proprietary software. Biochemical deductions as to the nature of the samples will be made on the basis of the spectroscopic data. The position holder is required to produce written reports of the studies for sign-off by line management.

Major objectives:
The position holder will be an expert in the discipline of high resolution NMR spectroscopy who can take functional decisions in this field, and will apply this expertise to studies undertaken by the company. These studies will be complex, requiring sound technical and scientific assessment, the complexity arising from interacting factors, and the solution requiring considerable theoretical and practical appreciation. Wrong decisions could lead to inefficiency and/or have financial consequences.

The work requires the thorough interpretation of current technology relevant to the discipline, the ability to assess its relevance and to incorporate it into the company’s laboratory operations in order to maintain, modify and enhance the company’s technical activities and competence.

The position holder is required to provide creative and innovative input to the job. And considerable interpretive thinking is required because of the interaction of the various diverse aspects of the position. The job-holder must be able to devise and implement changes to company techniques and procedure.

The position requires good communication skills both written and verbal. It is required that the position holder can liaise with other staff in the company to ensure efficient progress on scientific contracts that need integrated efforts from more than one discipline. The position carries responsibility for the communication of fully-interpreted studies both within the company and to company clients. It is expected that the position holder will present results, where appropriate, at external meeting such as client premises, at scientific conferences and in publications.

The position holder may have line responsibility for one or more technical staff and will participate in personnel selection, assessment, counseling and career development.

The position holder will work independently to specific objectives defined by individual projects and will exercise any supervisory duties with only periodic reference to higher line management. It is expected that any guidance will be actively sought since there is considerable freedom of action within the discipline in achieving objectives. The job holder will recommend to the CSO capital purchases in NMR equipment to enhance the company operation.

Authority over resources:
The position holder will work on a day-day basis given guidelines from the CSO for specific projects.
The position holder will have complete authority over the operation and maintenance of the NMR and ancillary instrumentation.
The position holder will be allowed to order minor pieces of equipment and consumable items to ensure efficient laboratory operation to maximum of £200. More expensive items will require permission form the CSO.

Limits of position:
All reports to clients need to be countersigned by the CSO.
Prior permission needs to be sought for incidental purchases over £200, for capital expenditure and for travel away from the company site.

Anticipated level of qualification and experience:
It is expected that to carry out this position successfully, the job holder will have gained a PhD qualification in NMR spectroscopy, and will have significant experience of operation of modern NMR spectrometers. Postdoctoral experience in research in the use of NMR spectroscopy to biochemical studies would be an advantage. A good working knowledge of mammalian biochemistry would be preferred.

Back to top