MSDN@phoenix.cambridge.ac.uk (12/13/89)
THE MICROBIAL STRAIN DATA NETWORK has a vacancy at its
Secretariat in Cambridge. The following announcement has been
placed in New Scientist. The job description follows the
annonucement.
New member of staff for MSDN Secretariat
MICROBIAL STRAIN DATA NETWORK
Graduate Information Officer
There is an opportunity to work
with a small team in Cambridge to
develop an international in-
formation and communication net-
work for microbiologists and
related scientists.
Salary: 10500-13500
Closing date: January 12th 1990
Application to MSDN,Institute of
Biotechnology, Cambridge University,
307 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB30JX,
UK. Tel (0223)276622
MICROBIAL STRAIN DATA NETWORK
Information Officer
The Microbial Strain Data Network (MSDN) is a recently
established international communications and information service
for the microbiological and biotechnological community. Its aim
is to help scientists locate organisms and cultured cells with
specific properties by supporting the development of appropriate
databases and linking them to form a comprehensive network.
In addition, the MSDN provides electronic mail, bulletin board,
computer conferencing, telex and fax services and distributes
software that has been specifically developed for management of
microbiological data. To encourage collaboration and train in the
use of the services and software, the MSDN holds training courses
worldwide and thus creates a body of informed scientists able to
help develop the network.
The MSDN is administered from the Secretariat in Cambridge,
currently staffed by an Executive Director and an Information
Officer who is also the Systems Manager. The network is sponsored
by three of the major international scientific organisations and
has received funding from the EEC, the UN agencies, the National
Science Foundation, the Environment Protection Agency;
additionally a large number of other organisations have provided
support in kind. An increasing level of financial support is
derived from income from usage of the system.
As the network grows and more databases become linked, there is a
need for additional staff to enable the present rapid growth to
continue. The present position is for a microbiologist with
informational experience to work with the small team in
Cambridge. The tasks will include:
* back-up for the systems manager
* customer support to the international scientific user community
* development of existing and new microbiological databases
* preparation and help in demonstrations, lectures, seminars to
users of and contributers to the network
* general administrative support.
The successful candidate will gradually develop skills and
experience to allow full support of all the network activities
and will be expected to manage the Secretariat office when the
rest of the team are absent. Because of the international nature
of the network, the right person will have the opportunity to
travel to different countries throughout the world, training and
supporting the scientific user community, once the work has been
fully learned.
Thus, the successful candidate must have the ability to work with
a wide spectrum of scientists, from industrial and developing
regions, with different languages and varying computer skills.
The person must have a friendly and patient nature and enthusiasm
for helping develop the new service into a permanent
international resource. Once the tasks have been learned the
possibilities for helping develop the system are great and
varied.
The post is funded for one year with the full expectation that it
will become permanent.
The candidate should be a graduate with interests or experience
in one or more of the following areas: microbiology, related
biological disciplines, networking, databases, information
science. A strong interest in training and service functions is
desirable. Some knowledge of foreign languages would be an asset.
Salary: between 10500 and 13500, depending on qualification and
experience.
Applications with CV to: Mrs B Kirsop, MSDN Secretariat,
Institute of Biotechnology, Cambridge University, 307 Huntingdon
Road, Cambridge CB3 0JX.
Starting date by mutual arrangement, but not before March 1st
1990. Closing date for applications January 12th 1990.
APPLICATION FORM
To be accompanied by a covering letter, explaining the reasons
for applying for the job, and a CV.
NAME:
ADDRESS:
Telephone number:
AGE:
DEGREE (UNIVERSITY/GRADE):
POST GRADUATE EXPERIENCE, if any: