Research Assistant

Job Purpose

You will contribute to an Impact Acceleration Award project working with Dr William Peveler and a major Italian foodstuff manufacturer. Based on our recent publication (ACS Appl Nano Matter 2022, 10.1021/acsanm.2c03406) we are exploring the use of metal nanomaterials to measure the impact of wood-aging on a range of foodstuffs. The project involves applying a wide range of analytical chemistry techniques and high-throughput experimentation approaches to analyse the content of samples and the impact on nanomaterials chemistry. The successful candidate will also be expected to work closely with the industrial partner to analyse materials and data, and tailor processes to their needs; contribute to the formulation and submission of research reports; as well as help manage and direct this project as opportunities allow. The project will involve at least one partner visit to northern Italy.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal Investigator:

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

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

3. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals where appropriate, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4. Contribute to the presentation of work at international partner meetings, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

5. 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.

6. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in group meetings, seminars and workshops across the research Group and School.

7. Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School.

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

10. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

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

12. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential: 

A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or a relevant subject

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the approaches to molecular analysis of complex samples.

Desirable:

B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or equivalent

Skills

Essential:

C1 Knowledge of current methods for the analysis of small molecules in complex samples by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Liquid/Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (LC/GC-MS) and/or optical analyses (Raman, Absorbance, Luminescence).

C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate

C3 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), 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 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate

C7 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

Desirable:

D1 Knowledge of nanomaterials synthesis and characterisation methods, including optical spectroscopy, electron microscopy and/or x-ray methods.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 Experience of data handling and analysis of complex NMR, LC/GC-MS and optical spectroscopy data sets

E3 Experience of scientific writing

E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E5 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field

E6 Experience in preparing samples for NMR spectroscopy, LC/GC-MS, and other analytical techniques.

Desirable

F1 Experience of high throughput experimentation in well plates or similar formats.

F2 Experience of creating databases and data pipelines for automated analytical chemical data analysis in R, Python or similar languages.

Closing date:  28 April 2024

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this role can only be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if the recommended candidate is a *new entrant/has a relevant PhD/has a relevant STEM PhD.

For more information please visithttps://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £32,332 - £36,024 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 12 months.

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.