London, UK: Professor, Genetic Epidemiology, ROYAL FREE AND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE MEDICAL SCHOOL, University College London DIVISION OF POPULATION HEALTH

ROYAL FREE AND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE MEDICAL SCHOOL
University College London
DIVISION OF POPULATION HEALTH

PROFESSOR IN GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY

This document sets out the following information for the post of Professor in Genetic Epidemiology: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/epidemiology/jobs/ProfGeneticEpid314adjd.doc

Application Procedure

Applications for the positions (one hard copy, under cover of a signed letter, plus one electronic copy submitted to academic.services@ucl.ac.uk ) should include:

• a curriculum vitae
• a statement of research interests and plans
• the names and addresses of three referees (including at least one referee based outside the candidate’s own country of residence)
• details of current salary
• completed Personal Details/Equal Opportunities Classification Form

Applications should be addressed to the President and Provost of UCL and sent to the Director of Academic Services, University College London, 5 Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT.

We particularly welcome female applicants and those from an ethnic minority, as they are currently under-represented within UCL at this level. This is in line with section 48 of the Sex Discrimination Act and section 38 of the Race Relations Act.

The closing date for applications is 30th September 2007.

If you wish to discuss the post informally, please contact Ms Floriana Bortolotti (f.bortolotti@ucl.ac.uk, tel. +44 (0) 20 7679 1681).



PROFESSOR IN GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY

1. THE POST

This is a key strategic appointment: to establish and develop the Division’s work in the area of Genetic Epidemiology in any of the main areas of research pursued within the Division; to foster inter-divisional collaborations across Biomedical Sciences (eg in relation to the Institute of Human Genetics and Health, proposed Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences); and to provide leadership for genetic epidemiology across UCL in relation to proposed consortia and relevant national collections (eg UK Biobank).

The professor is expected to have an international reputation in population based research using genetics of one or more of the disease areas being investigated in the Division.


2. BACKGROUND

Genetic Epidemiology and the Division
The Division of Population Sciences at UCL aims to enhance the health of patients and populations by promoting public health and improving clinical care. The skills mix of epidemiological, clinical, statistical and behavioural science provides the scientific basis to underpin our internationally competitive programme. Members of the Division are the Departments of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH); Mental Health Sciences (MHS); Primary and Population Sciences (PCPS); and the MRC Clinical Trials Unit (MRCCTU). The current Divisional Chair is Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Head of EPH.

This important post will facilitate collaboration in the Division of Population Health and provide leadership for the consolidation and expansion of research into genetic epidemiology. All three departments making up the Division (EPH, MHS and PCPS) have major epidemiological programmes of research and it is expected that this Chair will provide genetic expertise and collaboration where that would be productive. The professor will be expected to:

• use genetic approaches to understand causal pathways in the onset and progression of common complex disease. A range of behavioural, psychosocial and blood based risk factors are being investigated across the Division and the professor is expected, where appropriate, to develop and apply methods such as mendelian randomisation as an aid to causal inference;
• provide leadership in the systematic development of population based DNA resources at UCL. This may involve the development of consortia in order to exploit opportunities for pooled cross-cohort analyses for the understanding of the factors governing the development of chronic diseases;
• bring their own programme of research, which will add scientific value to the growing number of DNA resources within the division in the fields of cardiovascular disease, mental health and HIV and infectious diseases;
• lead in the recruitment, training and development of a new cadre of researchers in genetic epidemiology;
• foster the development and application of appropriate methods for the design, conduct and analysis of large scale population studies incorporating genomic information, and emerging ’omic disciplines.

3. DUTIES OF POST HOLDER

All Professorial appointments at UCL involve three areas of work: research, teaching and management/enabling.

Research
The person appointed will have the opportunity to develop their own research, having the opportunity to transfer across, or build up, a collaborative research group within the Division. The expectation for all senior academic staff is that they are appointed:
• To carry out research and produce publications, or other research outputs, in line with personal objectives agreed in the Staff review process;
• To develop and prepare applications for research funding;
• To participate in departmental, divisional or Faculty seminars as appropriate to sharing research outcomes and building interdisciplinary collaboration within and outside the Division.

In collaboration with colleagues from the Division and from across Biomedicine the appointee will be involved in planning the strategic development of research into genetic epidemiology at UCL.

Teaching
The teaching focus of senior academic staff is normally within graduate teaching, both on Masters courses and through the supervision of graduate research students. Teaching loads are reviewed annually; the Head of Division in which the appointee is based being formally responsible for ensuring that load is distributed to ensure equality of treatment. The standard clauses for all HEFCE funded appointments include the following:

• To teach at undergraduate and/or graduate level in areas allocated and reviewed from time to time;
• To contribute to the development, planning and implementation of a high quality curriculum;
• To assist in the development of learning materials, preparing schemes of work and maintaining records to monitor student progress, achievement and attendance;
• To participate in the development, administration and marking of exams and other assessments;
• To provide pastoral care and academic support to students;
• To participate in the administration of programmes of study and other activities as requested.

Enabling and Management
The Head of the Division is responsible for strategic planning and responding to UCL led initiatives. Key leadership roles (e.g. Graduate Tutor, Deputy Head of Department) are allocated on a rotational basis, normally for a period of two to three years, based on the experience and expertise of members of that Group. The person appointed will also be expected:

• To contribute to departmental, faculty, or UCL-wide working groups or committees as requested;
• To maintain own continuing professional development;
• To actively follow and promote UCL policies, including Equal Opportunities;
• To maintain an awareness and observation of fire and health and safety regulations;
• To carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and purpose of the post.

The post will be managerially responsible to the appropriate Head of Department within the Division of Population Health. Appraisal will be under the usual arrangements for professorial staff in UCL.

Administrative Support
The post holder will be provided with dedicated office space, a PC terminal and computer support. A core administrative team provides full support on all financial, human resource, computing, teaching and divisional support (e.g. committees) activities. Whilst support is provided for all core activities, dedicated core-funded secretarial support is not provided. Administrative support for each research group/research programme is dependent upon the generation of funding by individual groups.