The Culture of Blame is to Blame!

The Editor is ill-equipped to comment on the characteristics of other nationalities, although I am perhaps more familiar with the indigenous folk of France, Italy and Finland than most. However I have always felt that British people are better than most at pointing the finger of blame, rather than accepting their own responsibilities. I blame the media!

Politics of course is rife with this malaise, but we have become used to that over thousands of years. In sport too it is very evident. Take for example England's disappointing result in their opening game against the USA in The World Cup; it was easy for everyone to blame Robert Green and his unfortunate goalkeeping error, but if the team had scored a few more goals (which as - in some eyes at least - 'tournament favourites', they really should have done) then Green's gaffe would not have been as significant.

The Editor went to a posh-ish school, inasmuch as it had a crest with a Latin slogan wrapped around it. The Latin was 'Qui facit per alium, facit per se' and although the humble Editor only got a grade 9 at Latin O-Level (which for those of you unfamiliar with that ancient measuring system, was as bad as it got!), I can reveal the meaning as being: If you get someone else to do something, you are basically doing it for yourself. In other words, you must take responsibility for your own actions, and not blame failings on others.

Qui facit per alium facit per se is a Latin legal term meaning, "He who acts through another does the act himself." It is a fundamental maxim of agency.  A maxim often stated in discussing the liability of employer for the act of employee.

According to this maxim, if in the nature of things the master is obliged to perform the duties by employing servants, he is responsible for their act in the same way that he is responsible for his own acts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qui_facit_per_alium_facit_per_se

How does all this relate to what we are doing here? Well, for those of you who are feeling bruised by the never-ending 'downturn', perhaps in jeopardy in your employment, possibly out of work altogether, whilst it would be easy to blame the government, the bankers, BP, the Americans etc, my message is: Don't! Do something positive! Contact Seltek on 01279 657716 or email Guy Buncombe guy@seltekconsultants.co.uk and let us help you improve the quality of your life. Where there's a will, there's a way, and we have will enough for everyone!

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The Future's Bright! The Future's Small!

Size isn't everything, we're told, and this is a view that would be espoused by anyone involved in the burgeoning science of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology, shortened to "nanotech", is the study of the controlling of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally nanotechnology deals with structures sized between 1 to 100 nanonmeter in at least one dimension, and involves developing materials or devices within that size.
Nanotechnology is very diverse, ranging from extensions of conventional device physics to completely new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly, from developing new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale to investigating whether we can directly control matter on the atomic level.
There has been much debate on the future implications of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has the potential to create many new materials and devices with a vast range of applications, such as in medicine, electronics and biomaterials and energy production. On the other hand, nanotechnology raises many of the same issues as with any introduction of new technology, including concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials, and their potential effects on global economics, as well as speculation about various doomsday scenarios. These concerns have led to a debate among advocacy groups and governments on whether special regulation of nanotechnology is warranted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology

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Expunge The World of Vuvuzelas!

The vuvuzela sometimes called a "lepatata" (its Tswana name) or a stadium horn, is a blowing horn up to approximately 1 m in length. It is commonly blown by fans at association football matches in South Africa. The instrument is played using a simple brass instrument technique of blowing through compressed lips to create a buzz, and emits (from the standard shorter horn of about 60 to 65 centimetres (24 to 26 in)) a loud monotone. A similar instrument (known as corneta in Brazil and other Latin American countries) is used by football fans in South America.
Vuvuzelas have been controversial. They have been associated with permanent noise-induced hearing loss and cited as a possible safety risk when spectators cannot hear evacuation announcements, and they may spread colds and flu viruses on a greater scale than coughing or shouting. Vuvuzelas have also been blamed for drowning the sound and atmosphere of football games. Commentators have described the sound as "annoying" and "satanic" and compared it with "a stampede of noisy elephants", "a deafening swarm of locusts", "a goat on the way to slaughter", and "a giant hive full of very angry bees".
The sound level of the instrument has been measured at 127 decibels contributing to football matches with dangerously high sound pressure levels for unprotected ears. A new model, however, announced on 14 June 2010, has a modified mouthpiece which is claimed to reduce the volume by 20 dB.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vuvuzela

The Editor was standing recently at a bar, above which was hanging a glass yard, as in 'a yard of ale'. He asked the ancient barman if this was an old fashioned vuvuzela, at which the bartender looked nonplussed. The Editor thought it a comic picture, the idea of 98,000 rabid football fans blowing across the top of a yard, the way we - as children - used to blow across the top of bottles to make a low hooting sound.

The Editor also notices the extraordinary similarity of the word to the Italian expletive 'v*fanculo' and suggests that the wretched device be renamed 'vafancuzelo' and follow its own advice!

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New Football Season Fixtures Announced!

Budget schmudget! Oil spill schmoil spill. The only news worth reading today is the 2010/2011 football season fixture lists!

Manager Avram Grant will lead out West Ham, new signing 'Die Hammer' Thomas Hitzlsperger, and his team-mates against Aston Villa on Saturday 14th August. The Germany midfielder earned his fitting nickname during his five-season stay at Aston Villa because of his powerful left foot and long-range shooting.  Hopefully he will remind his former employer of this and assist his new club get the season off to a flying start!

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100617/villa-up-first-for-hammers_2236884_2072210

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100607/thomas-ready-to-be-a-hit_2236884_2065574

Cry ‘Come on you Irons! for Harry, England, and Saint George!' (to misquote The Bard)

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Hot Jobs

As the long hot summer grinds relentlessly on, scorching everything to a dried husk (hah!), we look forward to Wimbledon, and the prospect of the the first British winner since Fred Perry won the last of his championships in 1936.

So if you are looking to raise the temperature of your career, check out some of Seltek's latest Hot Jobs, and prepare to kiss the trophy of your success!

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£50,000 basic

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• Summary: A fabulous opportunity for a UK Business Development Manager to manage sales for this company's genomic services in the UK, Scotland and Ireland. The role will involve handling existing customers and developing further business for a range of market leading services; you will be liaising with key opinion leaders and influencing decisions at a senior level.
  
  
• Why you should apply for this job: It's a highly innovative life science company - a recognised leader in developing genomic technology! This is a very exciting chance to take on a high profile role and make your mark in a rapidly developing organisation.
  
  

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£42,000 p.a., car, commission rising to 33% , pension

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• Summary: You'll be responsible for sales in the North of the UK including Scotland, and you will have the freedom and autonomy to manage your own territory without day to day micro managing. Your input and suggestions for how to increase business in the area will be acted upon as the management structure welcome those with the ability to identify and respond to potential opportunities. You will cover a wide variety of accounts across the region including academic, clinical, pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.
  
  
• Why you should apply for this job?  This is an international organisation with a great reputation for supplying high quality reagents, kits and services within the life science arena. Specific niches include PCR, molecular biology reagents, genomic and cloning products. The company has exciting growth plans so there is the potential to advance if you can demonstrate the ability to grow the business. The company is financially stable and not exposed to the risk of acquisition.
  

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Sales Specialist

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£38,000 p.a., car, bonus, benefits

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• Summary: Here's an opportunity to work as a Sales Specialist, for a world supplier of molecular biology instrumentation. The company specialises in the supply of instrumentation used in the study of rapid reaction kinetics. Your role will be focused on selling their stopped flow and quench flow products into research laboratories worldwide.
  
  
• Why you should apply for this job: During your first six months, much of your time will be spent in and around their UK head office where you will receive extensive product training and support in the field. Following this time the role will develop to include extensive world wide travel, with particular focus on the company's European and US market. This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a small expanding company in a varied role with prospects for career progression.
  

Clinical Jobs

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• Summary: Do you have experience monitoring and managing clinical research projects? Do you have experience working on neuroscience projects? Would you like to work for one of the worlds leading clinical research organisations? If yes, this position could be for you! A top ten clinical research organisation (CRO) is expanding, and is keen to recruit a Manager of Clinical Research (neuroscience) who will be responsible for managing interdisciplinary clinical research projects.
  
  
• Why you should apply for this job: This is an outstanding opportunity to join a growing business that is investing in its organisation and expanding on a global basis.
  

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• Summary: As well as undertaking detailed analysis of projects and providing recommendations based on the data gathered, you will be involved in drafting business proposals, designing questionnaires and structuring presentations.
  
  
• Why you should apply for this job: This is one of Europe's leading pharmaceutical and healthcare market intelligence companies!
  

Hot Candidates

John Major, a former Prime Minister, once spoke of how the village cricket match was at the heart of his idea of a perfect Britain - a land where warm beer is served to the distant echo of leather on willow and the tring-a-ling of bicycle bells rung by spinsters on their way to Holy Communion.

So - employers! Whether you're after a short fine leg, or a bit of deep extra cover, look no further than Seltek's list of - in our opinion!- perfect candidates!

Scientific Sales & Marketing Division

* Business Development Manager (Europe) Anywhere! €80/120K Ref: 88080
* Business Development Manager UK Midlands £46K Ref: 99517
* Business Development Manager (France) France €40/50K Ref: 106471
* European sales Leader Anywhere! £38/58K Ref: 106328
* Product Manager West M4 Corridor £38K Ref: 97359
* Technical Sales Representative Midlands £35/45K Ref: 106407
* Sales Representative (Europe) Anywhere! £35K Ref:97921
* MR Image Analyst Home Counties £31K Ref: 103127
* Trainee Sales Engineer Anywhere! £25K Ref: 97354
* Trainee Applications/Sales Specialist Anywhere! £25K Ref: 106408
* Trainee Applications Scientist Anywhere! £22K Ref: 105889

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Clinical Research Division


*UK Sales & Marketing Manager (Clinical) Midlands £45K Ref: 93990
*Lead CRA South East £43K Ref: 97355
*Data Analyst Anywhere! £33K Ref: 86715
*Clinical Biochemist Anywhere! £26K Ref: 99901