Stem Cell Research: The Way Forward!

Millions of pounds of funding for research on stem cells from human embryos is expected to be announced in the next few months as at least four universities gear up to consolidate Britain's reputation as the world capital of stem cell and cloning research.

The Wellcome Trust, the huge independent research charity, is poised to give grants to three teams of scientists working on embryonic stem cell research, while the Medical Research Council is planning to lure more stem cell specialists from abroad, like the top US researcher Roger Pedersen, who came to Cambridge University last year.

The boost in funding follows an announcement yesterday by the House of Lords science and technology committee that stem cell research on embryos will be allowed in Britain. While the committee's uncompromising endorsement of such research does nothing to alter the already benign research background in Britain, it does provide additional backing for scientists who are trying to wring grants from funders and support from their chancellors.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2002/feb/28/genetics.houseoflords

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The Second Rule of Interviews! (Or the Art of Closing!)

Last month we revealed that the first rule of interviews is to go with an absolute determination to win a job offer. There are many things to bear in mind throughout the whole process of preparing for, and going to interviews. These are well documented in the Tips For Success section on our website: http://www.seltekconsultants.co.uk/interviewadvice.htm

However, the second way you can maximise your chance of winning a job offer, is to actually ask for the job at the end of the interview.

Almost always, the employer will end the interview by inviting you to ask any final questions. This is the point when you should make it quite clear that you would like to do the job. Needless to say, if the information you have received during the interview has enabled you to decide that it is definitely something you do not want to do, then there is no point in asking for the job!

On the other hand, if the job, as described, is something you would definitely like to do, OR you are undecided, then you must close the interview effectively.

Closing is a term borrowed from sales training. And why not? Going to an interview is a bit like selling. As the interviewee, you are both the product and the sales person! Closing, in sales parlance, means asking for the order. Sales people are encouraged to end their presentation to a potential customer by asking if the customer would like to buy the product. It is not considered acceptable to say something feeble like I'll wait for you to get back to me!'
So as an interviewee, you too must close the interview effectively. This is something that most people - evened seasoned sales people - find difficult to do. It feels a bit cheeky, even rude, most certainly not very English! However, employers are always more interested in people who are keen on the job. So what better way to convince them that you are, than to ask for the job?

The very best thing to say would go something like this:

Mr/Ms Employer, I'm very interested in the position you have to offer, and I'm sure I can do excellent work for you. Can I have the job, please?

If that's too hard, then there are some 'softer' alternatives:

When will I be able to start?
I'd really love to work for you! When will you let me know if I've been successful?
Are there any reasons why I should not be offered the job?

It's more comfortable to say I look forward to hearing from you, but it won't work!

Be bold! Ask for the job! This is The Second Rule of Interviews.

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It's A Girl!

Congratulations to Scott and Nicola Peacock upon the birth of their second child - a daughter. Sienna arrived on Monday 9th March, weighing in at a thumping 9 lbs (and a bit), and will no doubt be a trial and a tribulation for Joshua, their firstborn.

Scott will shortly be resuming his duties at the helm of Seltek's Bioscience Division, but in the meantime everyone at Seltek wishes the family health and happiness over a long future.

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Effects of The Credit Crunch!

A rich, dying man, laid on his deathbed, requested to be joined at his bedside by his vicar, his bank manager and his lawyer.

He instructed them that he wished to be buried, when he finally passed away, along with all his money. He gave each of them fifty thousand pounds and asked them to throw the money on top of his coffin, in the burial plot, when he died.

A couple of days later the old man passed away and was buried within the week. At the wake, the three men were chatting and the vicar was suddenly overcome with guilt. He confessed to the other two that he had only thrown only half of the money onto the coffin, as the church needed urgent repairs to the roof. The bank manager thought, ‘What the heck if we are having a confession,’ and told the other two men that he had also only thrown half the money in, as the ‘Credit Crunch’ was hitting hard and he needed some money for the bank to stop it going bust. The lawyer jumped up and said to the other two, ‘I think that is a shameful act on both of you. I threw a cheque in for the full amount!”

Acknowledgement: http://listverse.com/humor/20-hilarious-credit-crunch-jokes/

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Hot Jobs

British Summertime begins next Sunday 29th March, and to enhance the joy that comes with warmer days, longer evenings, springtime flowers, anticipation of the holiday season, warm beer and the sound of leather on willow (and no, that's not Miss Whiplash), here are some of the sunniest opportunities in the world of work with which we at Seltek are familiar, and some of the tastiest little cornettos of candidates that our Mister Whippy van has to offer!

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• Summary: Join a world leader in cell and biomolecular separation technology in a key role within the company! Cover key accounts in London and the South East, promoting innovative and novel products! Discover opportunities in academic and biotech accounts!
• Why you should apply for this job: Become part of a growing team, with a highly supportive work environment! Enjoy extensive training and excellent career progression!
  

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£70,000 basic salary

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£80,000 OTE, full package of benefits to be confirmed

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• Summary: Our client is a leading provider of logistics solutions. They have a vast network of branches in Latin America, the U.S., Europe and Asia, with over 3,000 dedicated employees. Their business units include a 'bio division', specializing in the logistics of clinical trials shipments around the world. They have been established 25 years and are highly recognised in their field. You will establish and develop relationships with pharmaceutical and clinical research companies that have a need to ship clinical samples around the world.
  
• Why you should apply for this job?  An unusual opportunity within the life science sector as our client is a leading provider of logistics solutions! The role is European and could be based from the UK or other Northern European country! The key to the company's rapid growth has been their 'tailor-made solutions' approach, forming strategic partnerships with thousands of satisfied customers.

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Account Manager - Food Ingredients

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£40,000 basic salary

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£44,000 OTE plus car  

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• Summary: Join a growing food ingredients sales division with a client portfolio of literally 100's of UK food manufacturers! Capitalise on the last few years of hard work! Sell a broad range of speciality food ingredients/chemicals into one of the most recession-proof industries.
• Why you should apply for this job: A buoyant Scottish territory is waiting for you with a well established food manufacturing customer base! A great company reputation and broad portfolio will help you open even more doors and grow the existing accounts!
  

Clinical Jobs

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• Summary: Manage trial related site activities on new and ongoing phase II-IV studies, and all aspects of feasibility and study start up, selection, initiation, routine monitoring and close out in the UK! At Senior CRA level you will still manage some sites in the UK but will focus on acting as a Lead CRA across Europe! Become involved in mentoring and supporting junior members of the monitoring team, attending accompanied visits and reviewing monitoring reports!
• Why you should apply for this job: Excellent training is provided and there is lots of scope for development into Clinical Leads and Clinical Project Managers! An excellent remuneration package is available that includes a competitive salary and generous car allowance! Become involved on high profile projects in oncology, cardiovascular, anti-infectives and CNS!
  

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• Summary: Join an organisation committed to the development of novel products for the treatment of a range of cancers and allied conditions! Lead and manage a team of experienced CRAs, Senior CRAs and Trial Administrators! Plan, resource, implement and deliver clinical monitoring and administration activities across a range of studies!
• Why you should apply for this job: It's a golden opportunity to join a forward thinking, people focused organisation! Become part of a team with a real passion for conducting research into the treatment and prevention of many different forms of cancer!
  

Hot Candidates

Scientific Sales & Marketing Division

Field Applications Scientist

• A first class honours Medical Microbiology BSc, with extensive IT skills including all/most Microsoft programs: Word, Excel, Access, Windows etc. Also software languages such as C++, Pascal, Delphi and HTML.
  
• Sells microbiological products/kits and instrumentation to clinical/hospitals, industrial, academic, pharmaceutical sectors.
  
• Spends 75% of his time travelling throughout Europe, selling reagents and instrumentation of a value up to $100k per customer. 
• Why should you employ this candidate: Broad based customer skills including customers from industrial microbiology, clinical/hospital, research/academia and pharmaceutical testing! He has learnt aspects of business such as sales, marketing, customer service/training, technical support and product development! An outgoing and friendly person, enthusiastic toward all aspects of biological and medical science, with no issues with presentations or meeting new people; a very confident person!

Reference 99945PSP
£35,000
Will relocate anywhere!

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Business Manager

• BA Hons. Human Movement Studies
  
• A dynamic, experienced and self-motivated Healthcare Sales and Account Manager with a high degree of commercial acumen and flair
  
• Proven record of delivering innovative solutions and above budget performances
  
• Why you should employ this candidate: Instrumental in generating, managing and maintaining customer relationships; positively influencing key decision makers and business leaders within large corporations including Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, Beckman Coulter, increasing sales and profitability. Directly responsible for increasing year on year sales by 18% in 2008, plus a value based pricing strategy achieving a net profit margin increase of 12 %. Natural flair for consistently exceeding sales targets!

Reference 100076CRD
£40,000 basic £50,000 OTE
Can live anywhere!

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Senior Account Manager

• PhD Protein Biochemistry
• Fluent English, German, Russian
• Selling mono and polyclonal antibodies, and immunoassays for plant proteins to academic, biotech and pharma markets throughout Europe
• In-depth knowledge of protein biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology and cell biology
• Why you should employ this candidate: Great personality, highly communicative, very focused, ambitious and driven!

Reference 100089SJW
£65,000
Anywhere!

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Trainee Account Manager

• BSc Cosmetology & Chemistry
• Fluent French and English
• Outstanding breadth of knowledge and experience of the personal care industry
• Why you should employ this candidate:  Every positive human virtue! Brilliant potential for technical sales! A must-see candidate!

Reference 99885JKP
£30,000 basic
Anywhere!

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Support Specialist

• PhD in Molecular Biology
• Experience in developing and validating novel quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) systems, Tissue RNA isolation, preservation and extraction, cDNA synthesis, primer design, PCR, DNA preparations, DNA cloning and sequencing
• A post-doctoral scientist with a strong academic and professional background that reflects both acumen for analytical thinking and intellectual judgment
• Why you should employ this candidate: Abundant enthusiasm and commitment to every aspect of life and totally dedicated to career development! Thrives on working in a dynamic and stimulating environment where she can continually develop and really make a difference!

Reference 88571JRP
£30,000 basic
Anywhere!

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Clinical Research Division

Clinical Research Associate

• BSc Biological Science
  
• Experience as a CRA with - arguably - the world's leading clinical research organisation
• Experience with several therapeutic areas (neurology, cardiology, respiratory medicine and haematology)
• Very familiar with GLP and GMP, as well as the workings of the pharmaceutical industry as a whole.
  
• Why you should employ this candidate: Able to cultivate excellent relationships with all site staff, and good leadership skills! Has gained an enormous amount of clinical experience in a relatively short time! Thoroughly good egg!

Reference 60720DE
£35,000
Live anywhere!

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Global Study Operations Manager

• BSc Biochemistry, MSc Nutrition
  
• Fluent French and English
• Extensive experience in international and national phase II and III clinical research trials (CRO and Industry)
• Earlier background as Clinical Research Associate then Project Manager in an international CRO - participation in 13 international or national clinical studies (2 phase II studies, 8 phase III studies, 3 phase IV studies) in 7 therapeutic areas : oncology, neurology, psychiatry, infectious diseases, paediatrics, geriatrics, cardiology
• Why you should employ this candidate: Proven management skills, team-building prowess, relationship management! Mentoring and training capabilities; problem-solving and negotiation skills!

Reference 92298DE
£55,000 basic salary
Live anywhere!