To make a leading contribution to the knowledge exchange (KE) activities within the NERC-funded Transmissive Critical Zone (CZ) consortium projects. Working directly with Prof Susan Waldron and Dr. Larissa Naylor of the University of Glasgow, and Dr David Oliver of the University of Stirling, you will communicate with the core investigators to support the KE activities of the other four NERC CZ projects. These projects are in partnership with the Chinese government and involve field research in China to improve our understanding and management of fragile critical zone ecosystems across China. As the funding for this research has come from the Newton Fund

(http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/partnerships/international/newton/),   a key requirement of these projects is to deliver ODA compliant research and exchange this knowledge with science policymakers and practitioners, including farmers, to help ensure that management benefits from new scientific understanding. This post-doctoral position will provide knowledge exchange oversight to all five projects and has two core aims:

1. Analyse current knowledge exchange approaches in China, their design and the purpose of this design and identify what represents success in their culture
2. Use this understanding to shape the planned KE across the CZ projects to be as well-suited for the Chinese context as possible and thus more likely to deliver effective KE outcomes from the projects. 

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals, as well as, help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

-   Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project / group / School / College research strategy

-   Set up, maintain and execute the KE acquisition and implementation programme (in China & the UK), including liaising with other NERC-NSFC CZ and associated Chinese-funded projects

-   Use this information to understand how best to implement KE outputs and disseminate this information to the NERC-NSFC programme, and where appropriate other Newton-funded research

-   Undertake knowledge exchange activity to support the development of approaches to land-use management that are most likely to succeed in building resilience in the ecosystem services

-   Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical / progress reports and papers as appropriate

-   Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow / School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high profile / quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic / societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem

-   Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop / implement a suitable research strategy

-   Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile

-   Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research

-   Collaborate with colleagues and participate in research group / School / College / University and wider community (eg. Academic and Industrial Partners)

-   Contribute to team / group meetings / seminars / workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School / College

-   Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets / Expenditure

-   Carry out modest Teaching activities (e.g., demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator

-   Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field / discipline

-   Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory

-   Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School and/or PI

-   These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform

A1.  An awarded PhD or equivalent, or an MSc with commensurate industrial experience, in a relevant subject, typically Social Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Cultural Studies, Sociology or other closely-related disciplines 

A2.  Specialist theoretical knowledge of knowledge exchange (KE) approaches to develop and share academic research to a range non-academic audiences

A3.  Specialist theoretical knowledge and practical experience of social science surveying and data analysis techniques

A4.  Knowledge and practical experience in preparing and delivering KE to a range of users such as practitioners, policy makers, farmers and/or the general public 

A5.  A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism

A6.  Fluent in relevant spoken and written Chinese languages (to execute the KE field work, communicate with Chinese colleagues and understand local journal and logistic documents)

B1.  Experience of working with environmental scientists to create a KE plan for their research activities

B2.  Experience of coordinating social science or KE activities for a large research consortium

B3.  Experience in research ethics

B4.  Track record of first author publications in high-quality journals within relevant discipline

C1.  Initiative, resourcefulness and independent thought / working

C2.  Research creativity and potential for strong cross-disciplinary collaboration

C3.  Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in both a Chinese language and English, including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data / concepts clearly and concisely

C4.  Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C5.  Appropriate workload / time / project / budget / people management skills

C6.  Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach
C8.  Good team leadership skills

D1.  Comfortable developing expertise and/or working with scientists and practitioners in multiple fields

D2.  Extensive IT and data analysis / interpretation skills as appropriate

D3.  Good Team Leadership skills

D4.  Specialist presentation skills including graphic or website design

D5.  Driving license for China (the field programme and access to the site are not possible by public transport)

E1.  4-years relevant research experience with normally 1 - 2 years post-doctoral or equivalent experience outside of academic, in an industrial environment

E2.  A track record of scientific writing, bringing results to publication

E3.  Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E4.  A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals / conferences

E5.  Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E6.  Experience in undertaking independent research

-   F2 An emerging national or international reputation

-   To carry out a range of research activities and functions within academic environments of the highest national or international quality

-   Publish and seek funding as appropriate to subject specialism within agreed timescales

-   Informal supervision and support of less experienced members of the project team e.g. postgraduate and project students

-   Undertake teaching or other duties in accordance with school policy

-   Engage in personal, professional and career development to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory

-   Leadership in the design and implementation in your specific research project(s) as appropriate

-   Management of time and prioritisation of research, teaching and administrative duties

-   Planning, organisation and implementation of research project on a weekly / monthly basis

-   Plan research directions that are within the available budget

-   React to varying project needs and deadlines

-   Undertake decision making on all aspects of research project / activities 

-   Prioritise own, and where appropriate delegate to junior team members’, workload

-   Decide on research directions and goals within remit of original project proposal

-   Adjust research approaches to meet project outcomes

-   Identify best journals for publication and meetings / conferences to attend 

-   Purchase of equipment and materials

-   Safe and effective lab management

-   University colleagues: to exchange information to ensure efficient working and to facilitate cross-disciplinary working

-   External bodies / collaborators: proactively maintain co-operation and links at all levels to enhance profile and reputation

-   Dissemination: Preparation and presentation of reports / results and participation in meetings and conference calls

-   Research including technical and theoretical aspects, problem solving and development of novel ideas

-   Be aware of project and budgetary issues, equipment lead times

-   Assistance of undergraduate / postgraduate students and junior team members with problems relating to research project

Representation of the University / College / School through presentation at national and international events

Attendance at training events to learn and implement new research technologies

Prepared to travel to work in the UK / China and elsewhere as required by the University

The PDRA for this project will be employed on a part-time basis (60% FTE) and undertake this activity over 19 months. In the first half of the appointment you would research and analyse current KE activity (Aim 1), with a focus on environmental sciences, but you may need to consider other disciplines. This analysis would be synthesised and outputs produced that are suitable for academic and stakeholder organisations, the latter being those who have a control on the effectiveness of the KE, so likely governmental organisations. This synthesis will be of value to a wide range of environmental science initiatives in China and beyond. 

In the second year you will look to use this knowledge to advise the CZ projects and help with their KE implementation (Aim 2), including linkages across projects, not realised as the proposal stage due to bid confidentiality. This activity will be specific for the CZ research outputs. The postholder will need to be fluent in Mandarin as well as English and expend to several months per year in China during this project. Given the part-time nature of this position, it may be possible to hold this post alongside another part-time appointment. 

-   Project specific as required 

-   There is also the possibility to join in the first Knowledge Exchange trip to China with members of the Glasgow-based project team between 17th – 27th of November 2016

-   Salary will be on the University’s Research and Teaching Grade, level 7, £33,574 - £37,768 per annum

-   This is a part time position at 21 hours per week with funding up to 31 August 2018

-   New entrants to the University will be required to serve a probationary period of 6 months

-   The successful applicant will be eligible to join the Universities' Superannuation Scheme (further information regarding the scheme is available from the Superannuation Officer, who is also prepared to advise on questions relating to the transfer of Superannuation benefits)