Investigator: Medicinal Chemistry (Contract)

• Project plans, goals, budgets, 31 January 2021 Page 1 of 8 HR191 HR191 PPOOSSIITTIIOONN DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN NOTES • Forms must be downloaded from the UCT website: http://forms.uct.ac.za/forms.htm • This form serves as a template for the writing of position descriptions. • A copy of this form is kept by the line manager and the position holder. POSITION DETAILS Position title Investigator Job title (HR Practitioner to provide) Position grade (if known) PC10 Date last graded (if known) Academic faculty / PASS department Science/Drug discovery and development Division / section Date of compilation April 12, 2021 ORGANOGRAM (Adjust as necessary. Include line manager, line manager’s manager, all subordinates and colleagues. Include position grades) PURPOSE The main purpose of this position is to be part of an interdisciplinary translational research team discovering and developing innovative, lifesaving medicines. Accountabilities and responsibilities of the Investigator include: Scientific & Research Impact • Design and perform experimental work independently and engage in complex research requiring highly specific scientific knowledge • Consistently analyze, evaluate and interpret complex data and results from various sources and draw relevant conclusions • Identify key scientific questions and develop/propose innovative solutions (experiments) to advance drug discovery research in accordance with overall program goals and priorities and in collaboration with academic groups at UCT, where appropriate • Understand how specific discovery programs fit into overall scientific goals and priorities at H3D • Network internally and externally in order to expand scientific knowledge, with focus on drug discovery principles and translational research, and optimize contributions to drug discovery and exploratory research • Help train junior members of the team in data interpretation and experimental design (new postdoctoral researchers and technician-level members) and actively coach/mentor them • Provide input into scientific presentations for H3D decision boards and external funders/collaborators and present results internally and at UCT as needed 31 January 2021 Page 2 of 8 HR191 • Contribute towards final reports and internal/external publications Scientific/Technical & Operational Know-how • Understand principles underlying relevant technologies and protocols in own discipline and demonstrate expertise of a particular technology and proficiency with full range of techniques used in job and core areas • Coordinate use of equipment and share technological know-how with relevant academic groups at UCT • Develop a thorough knowledge of drug discovery in own field of expertise (e.g., medicinal chemistry or disease biology) including the scientific background and literature; deepen knowledge in related scientific fields relevant to drug discovery • Understand how own objectives/scientific experiments fit into overall, long-term program goals • Propose ideas for H3D-wide technology or research operations projects and help with and/or lead their implementation • Have a working knowledge of all relevant research policies and procedures, including safety, regulatory and other research guidelines; complete all required compliance trainings • Identify and report unsafe equipment, conditions and practices so that they may be corrected prior to an incident Decision Making • Independently conceive, execute and interpret a complete range of experiments to advance discovery research in line with program timelines and goals • Provide input into go/no-go decisions or alternative approaches for discovery or technology programs • Execute day-to-day work in line with team and H3D overall mission, priorities and decisions, with input from supervisor/scientific mentor, as needed Desired Behaviors Apply H3D Values & Behaviors with a specific focus on: • Contribute own ideas and explain perspective of own discipline to the team to enhance team’s understanding of drug discovery and advance drug discovery efforts; apply non-traditional ideas to problem-solving as needed; help create room for everybody on the team to do the same • Interact with others in a positive/collaborative manner and challenge other’s ideas and help resolve conflicts in a constructive manner • Fully align behind H3D’s mission and leadership decisions and contribute to/understand overall program goals to prioritize own scientific work towards accomplishing these goals • Strive towards working in a team-based, matrix organization in which all research activities are targeted towards overall H3D 31 January 2021 Page 3 of 8 HR191 CONTENT Key performance areas % of time (Responsibilities / activities / processes/ methods used) (Expected results) E.g. General and office administration 25% Takes, types up and distributes minutes and agendas for monthly departmental meeting. Greets visitors, enquires as to the nature of their visit and directs them to the appropriate staff member. All staff members receive an electronic copy of accurate minutes and agendas, in the departmental template/format, a week before the meeting. Visitors are directed to appropriate staff member in a professional and efficient manner. 60% • Designing and trouble-shooting novel experiments • Recording and analyzing data 3 • Training and professional development 10% • Supervision of students up to Post-doctoral level and in some instances line management of Research Associates • Giving seminars • Attending seminars, workshops, training courses etc. • Training/workshops/course/seminars attended • Laboratory housekeeping (waste removal, keeping workspace clean and safety compliant, stock • Looking after equipment (alert appropriate people of • Assisting with Notebook audits, sample logistics, health and safety, sample management etc. • Participate in committees (recruitment, project • Lab fully operational with consumables and chemical stock up to date • Lab housekeeping conducted in accordance with H3D and UCT guidelines • Participation in relevant committees 31 January 2021 Page 4 of 8 HR191 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS • PhD in an appropriate discipline or equivalent qualification (type and years) • 2 or more years industrial or academic experience in a drug discovery or related research laboratory • Up to date on laboratory technologies and strong bench experience • Comfortable working in a matrix-based organizational structure Skills Research and analytical skills Knowledge Good background in Drug Discovery Professional registration Other requirements (If the position requires the handling of cash or finances, other requirements must include ‘Honesty to handle cash or finances’.) (Refer to UCT Competency Framework ) Excellent oral and written communication 2 Teamwork/collaboration 2 Extensive library research skills 2 Astute scientific inquiry related to drug discovery and a thorough knowledge of scientific literature in own field 2 Good interpersonal skills 2 Working knowledge in experimental design 2 SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY Functions responsible for Designing and troubleshooting of novel experiments, training and oversight of RAs and students Amount and kind of supervision received Regular supervision by Snr Investigator or Chief Investigator Amount and kind of supervision exercised May be required to supervise more junior staff Decisions which can be made Laboratory safety and SOPs and suggesting alternative methods Decisions which must be CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS Internal to UCT External to UCT AGREED BY PRINT NAME SIGNATURE CONTACT NO. DATE Position Holder Line Manager HOD Kelly Chibale X2553 26/04/2021 31 January 2021 Page 5 of 8 HR191 Dean / ED 31 January 2021 Page 6 of 8 HR191 COMPLETING A POSITION DESCRIPTION HR191 When do I use this form? A position description is the basis of the employment contract between UCT and a staff member. It describes: • the purpose of the position • the position content • where the position fits into an organisational structure • the principal accountabilities, roles and responsibility of the position holder • the minimum requirements needed of the position holder A position description must be completed for all positions at UCT, both academic and PASS. This form is completed, or reviewed and amended, when: • a position is new, before recruitment • substantive functions are added or removed from a position • the position holder is new • performance objectives are set during Development Dialogues. This form is used as the basis for: • recruitment • This position description informs many other human resources and people management processes. • This position description is a living document and must be reviewed and updated regularly, preferably every 3-4 years. • This position description is a summary of the typical functions of the position, but is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible position tasks and duties. UCT is entitled to instruct the position holder to carry out additional duties or responsibilities, which may fall reasonably within the ambit of the position description, or in accordance with operational requirements. How do I complete this form? • The position description indicates the requirements of the position in relation to the organisation, not the person. Describe the position, not the position-holder. • The position description describes the position, not the performance required. • The position description denotes a clear description of the position that is observable. • Describe the position as is, not as imagined or as it could or should be done. • Assume proper and competent performance of the position -holder. • Examine typical incidents that occur in the position. Disregard any unlikely events or once-off incidents. • Give careful consideration to employment equity legislation and take great care not include anything that could be deemed as Complete all fields as follows: Position title The label or name of this position. Consider...