A post is available in the Research Laboratory for a research assistant with chemistry, biochemistry or molecular biology training to help with research and management of the chemistry laboratory used for radiocarbon dating and other related research. This is a 2 year 7 month fixed-term position. The primary duties will be to perform, develop and manage chemical pre-treatment for radiocarbon dating, in conjunction with the research chemist for the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU) and three chemistry technicians. ORAU is involved in the extraction of organic components from archaeological and geological samples for radiocarbon dating. This requires an ability to work methodically and accurately, and to work as part of a team. The post holder will be expected to be involved with and develop research projects. Experience with chemical or biochemical methods is essential, as well as basic computer skills. Familiarity with spectroscopy and chromatography would be an asset. An interest in archaeology or geology would also be welcomed.
Applications consisting of a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, and the names and addresses of two referees (at least one of whom should be the applicant’s current or previous employer) should be sent to the Administrator (Diane Baker), Research Laboratory for Archaeology & the History of Art, Dyson Perrins Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY (diane.baker@rlaha.ox.ac.uk). There is no application form.
Further particulars are available below. Any queries about the post should be made to Diane Baker (details above).
The closing date for applications is Friday 15th January, 2010.
The University is an equal opportunity employer.
The Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, which is part of the Research Laboratory, is a facility that provides radiocarbon measurements for Archaeologists and Earth Scientists throughout the UK, and from many countries around the world. The laboratory is well known in its field, particularly for its archaeological work. In-house research, both on methodology and on the application of dating, complements the operations of the facility as a service.
In order to radiocarbon date something, a sample must be taken and chemical components extracted and purified. The resulting material is then burnt and the stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen assessed using a Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometer. The carbon dioxide from the combustion is then usually converted to graphite for the final radiocarbon measurement to be made on the Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS).
This post is for a research assistant to help manage and assist in the chemical pre-treatment of samples for radiocarbon analysis. The post holder may also be expected to work on related research to support stable isotope work. For the radiocarbon part of the work the post-holder will work closely with the Research Chemist of ORAU. Other staff are responsible for the Mass Spectrometry and AMS measurements themselves and for the main liaison with sample submitters. The job will mostly involve work on samples submitted to the laboratory by external researchers, but will also include some in-house research. It should be stressed that much of this material is extremely interesting and valuable in archaeological terms and so the work needs to be carried out methodically and with a suitable sense of responsibility.
Given the complex nature of the work, we expect the post-holder to be actively involved in sample pre-treatment and will spend about half their time in the laboratory performing pre-treatment on samples with particular requirements or where new methods are being developed, such as liquid chromatography and single amino acid dating. Only with this kind of hands-on experience can the post holder expect to manage the laboratory effectively.
The main aspects of the job will be to:
The Unit follows the ISO-9002 standard (audited by the BSI) and so an ability to keep tidy records and files is important.
At all stages, there is an important element of record keeping and
data manipulation using a computer database.
The post-holder will be encouraged to play a full part in the work
of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art and
will be expected to give seminars, help write papers, and generally
contribute to the academic work of the Laboratory.
The post is for three years and is intended to support existing
research projects and programmes within the Research Laboratory for
Archaeology.
Any offer of employment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire and the provision of an original document which indicates the holder’s right to work in the UK. All candidates invited for interview will be required to provide this evidence when attending for interview.
Salary will be at an appropriate point in Grade 7 scale which is
currently £28,839 - £35,469 per annum. The salary is payable at monthly
intervals in arrears by credit transfer to a bank or building society
account. The salary scale is incremental, with annual increments on 1st
August until the top of the scale is reached. There is also an annual
"cost-of-living" salary review. The post holder will be required to
serve an initial probationary period of six months before the
appointment is confirmed. The post is for 2 years 7 months only.
The post carries 38 days of paid annual leave, including 8 public holidays and any fixed periods around Christmas and Easter when the department is closed. The leave year runs from 1 October to 30 September.
Subject to the statement of Pensions Policy, a copy of which will be issued upon appointment, the appointee will be deemed to be in membership of the appropriate pension scheme until such time as they give notice in writing that they wish to exercise their right not to be a member of the scheme.
The policy and practice of the University of Oxford require that all staff are afforded equal opportunities within employment. Entry into employment with the University and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of his or her gender, marital or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, religion or belief, racial group, age, or disability.
All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post, and will be held in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the University’s Data Protection Policy.
Applications consisting of a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, and the names and addresses of two referees (at least one of whom should be the applicant’s current or previous employer) should be sent to the Administrator (Diane Baker), Research Laboratory for Archaeology & the History of Art, Dyson Perrins Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY (diane.baker@rlaha.ox.ac.uk). There is no application form.
The closing date for applications is Friday 15th January 2010.
Interviews
will take place towards the end of January with appointment starting at
the
beginning of March.