Professor/Reader/Senior Lecturer/Lecturer (Research & Teaching Track) (4 Posts)

The School of Molecular Biosciences is a multi-disciplinary centre of excellence conducting world-leading molecular life science research in key areas of molecular, structural, cell, and systems biology and biochemistry. We take advantage of a broad range of model organisms (bacteria, yeast, plants, Drosophila, mouse and cultured human cells). Our focus is on mechanistic and molecular ‘blue skies’, hypothesis-driven research to uncover new pathways underpinning cell physiology, development, and survival. Such pathways can potentially lead to biomedical and translational advances in a broad range of common and rare human diseases and regenerative medicine and facilitate development of new therapeutics in molecular pharmacology.

We have a breadth of expertise in multi-disciplinary integrative biology, from molecules to organisms and biological systems. We are part of the College for Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, that fosters fundamental as well as clinical research and supports their crosstalk, while we also have extensive research and teaching collaborations with chemists, physicists and engineers in the College of Science and Engineering.

We are recruiting for 4 positions in our School, at all levels from Lecturer to Professor.

We are looking for highly motivated colleagues with the desire and the capability to establish a thriving, externally well-funded program of research taking advantage of our dynamic and supportive environment.Your expertise will further strengthen and develop our UG and PGT teaching portfolio of  programmes. (https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/molecularbiosciences/) Applications are invited in four very broad areas (note: please indicate in your cover letter which area you are interested in being considered for):

Computational Biology (for example deep learning approaches and large data analysis, computational approaches in structural biology, ligand-protein simulations including membrane protein dynamics and molecular pharmacology)

Mitochondrial Biology (for example biogenesis and assembly of mitochondria, mitochondria stress signalling, links of mitochondria dysfunction to disease, mitophagy, mitochondria dynamics and interactions with other organelles)

Cell homeostasis and proteostasis (for example protein aggregation and unfolded protein responses, organellar and cytosolic proteostasis pathways and chaperone networks, PTMs, links between metabolism and signaling pathways)

Intracellular protein targeting, folding and redox signaling (for example ER stress, redox regulation of cellular architecture).

Underpinning much of our research, we are also interested in developing comparative biology approaches by harnessing a broad spectrum of model systems (like yeast, C elegans, Drosophila, plants, zebrafish and others) to investigate fundamental intracellular mechanisms and cell responses to stress and metabolic alterations, and development of screening platforms using simple and tractable model organisms.

Appointments will be made based on track record, experience and strength of the proposed research program. Successful candidates will be encouraged to develop collaborative approaches with other teams in the SMB and more broadly across the College. We welcome applications from colleagues from any background and particularly from under-represented or minoritized groups.

This is the job description for the Professor (Research & Teaching Track) post, Grade 10. The job descriptions for the Reader/Senior Lecturer (Research & Teaching Track) post, Grade 9 and Lecturer (Research & Teaching Track) post,  Grade 7/8 are available as attachments at the bottom of this page. Please specify which position(s) you wish to be considered for on your cover letter.

Job Purpose

To take a senior leadership role by conducting internationally-leading research, delivering research-led education and demonstrating excellence in teaching that supports the strategic objectives and priorities of the School/College in line with the University’s ambitions, and makes a substantial contribution to enhancing teaching and research within the School/College. To undertake substantial responsibilities associated with managing external stakeholder relationships that enhance the University’s reputation, advance knowledge exchange, public understanding and outreach and strengthen links with professional bodies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide leadership across the School and College in relation to research and publication in order to enhance the quality of the School’s international research profile, including conducting personal research of the highest quality and maintaining  a consistent  high- level output of publications and presentations of world-class quality.

2. Sustain internationally leading high-quality research activity, seeking and securing funding for a portfolio of research projects through grant applications to external funding bodies,

e.g. Research Councils and mentoring early career staff to support their development in securing funding.

3. Take a leading role across the School and College in relation to strategic learning and teaching initiatives through: embedding a research-led, evidence-based ethos in teaching and learning; leading on teaching collaborations and teaching innovations; and influencing teaching and assessment practices and policy across the School/College.

4. Undertake academic management and leadership roles and responsibilities across the School and College  in a manner that  enhances  the student experience,  ensures programmes are internationally benchmarked and of international standing,  and  that values and supports a culture of enhancement.

5. Demonstrate leadership in supervising research projects undertaken by research staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students and ensure the effective development  of  the staff and students. Actively engage with potential research students of high  calibre intending to undertake postgraduate and doctoral research, building effective working relationships and supervising to completion.

6. Make a substantial contribution to University Committees/Working Groups to ensure the advancement of learning and teaching policies and practice that align with local and international challenges in Higher Education, evolving student needs and other related changes in the University’s strategic context.

7. Build effective internal and  external collaborations  to support the development and mentoring of academic staff and their learning, and to enhance research and teaching within the School and College.

8. Represent the School/College/University on key external bodies and at significant external events nationally and internationally to promote excellence in research and teaching, and the development of professional practice.

9. Ensure a substantial track record of, and demonstrate leadership in, knowledge creation and transfer, ensuring impact on external bodies and contributions to public understanding and contributing fully  to key strategic initiatives that  underpin School, College  and University strategies for external engagement.

10. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

11. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School.

12. To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.

Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or equivalent in related discipline with an extensive and established reputation in research and significant teaching experience within the discipline/subject area.

A2 An established and internationally-recognised reputation for high-quality research and knowledge exchange in subject specialism.

A3 A thorough understanding of, and track record in, contributing to broader academic leadership and management at School/RI/Service/College level.

A4 Engagement with the current and future priorities of University/College/Service  strategies, aims and ambitions.

A5 Membership of a relevant professional body.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential:

C1 Proven ability to lead and deliver high quality and innovative University teaching, including assessment and curriculum development.

C2 A track record of research income generation from a range of sources.

C3 Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of research issues and debates,  both  nationally and internationally, and future direction of research and teaching in the subject area.

C4 Maintaining a portfolio of research activity of international quality, reputation and impact.

C5 Providing academic leadership across the School/College, leading innovation and management of teaching, setting standards and monitoring progress.

C6 Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage at all levels within the Subject, School, College, University, and beyond, in the academic, policy and practitioner communities.

C7 Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster collegiality and collaborative working.

C8 Proven ability to foster research collaborations with colleagues in other disciplines, Schools, Colleges and Universities as appropriate.

C9 Proven project, people and budget management skills

C10 Leading student supervision and mentoring/coaching early career staff, providing specialist advice, support and academic leadership.

C11 Contributing to the academic leadership and management of the School/College, e.g. by chairing committees and leading on key processes and new initiatives.

C12 Demonstrated commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.

C13 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Professor (Grade 10) within the Professorial range and subject to negotiation

Reader/Senior Lecturer, (Grade 9), £57,696 - £64,914 per annum

Lecturer, (Grade 7/8), £39,347 - £44,263/£48,350 - £56,021 per annum

The posts are full time and open ended.

For the Lecturer post, the successful candidate will be enrolled onto the University’s Early Career Development Programme (ECDP). This will provide you as an early career academic staff member to be developed and supported over a specified timeframe to facilitate the advancement of your academic career.  Information on the programme can be found on our website at: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/all/pay/ecdp/

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Informal Enquiries should be directed to Professor Kostas Tokatlidis, Cathcart Chair, Director of Research (Molecular Biosciences),  [email protected]

Vacancy Ref: 135508,    Closing Date: 26 February 2024.