Research Assistant/ Associate

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to an EPSRC funded collaborative project investigating how phenotypic plasticity shapes species' responses to both long- and short-term environmental change. The postholder will be based at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow working with Prof Christina Cobbold and will work jointly with project partners Drs Steven White and Dominic Brass at UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

The postholder should be motivated to work across different disciplines and will develop novel mathematical models and tools to uncover when, where and how phenotypic plasticity shapes species' responses to environmental change. Goals include resolving several longstanding debates that have argued for and against phenotypic plasticity as promoter of population persistence and invasion in response to environmental change. The postholder will be working in the broad area of stage-structured delay-differential equation modelling with the aim of developing generalisable ecological theory underpinned by rigorous mathematical models.  The postholder will gain experience in a wide range of topics, including dynamical systems theory, bifurcation analysis, high performance computing and ecology. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

Perform the following activities in conjunction with the Principal/Co Investigators:

1.  Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of research to develop and analyse ecological models of phenotypic plasticity, using numerical simulations and techniques from dynamical systems theory to understand the drivers of trait-environment-population interactions.

2.  Take a leading role in carrying out in-depth literature reviews and evidence syntheses to identify sources of phenotypic plasticity in plant and insect life-cycles for model derivation and parameterisation. This will involve addressing project-related research challenges and formulating effective research strategies.

3.  Collaborate with team members, ecologists, and mathematicians to integrate multidisciplinary approaches into the project's framework. Foster and manage collaborations with colleagues, academic partners, and stakeholders to bolster research initiatives.

4.  Document research outcomes comprehensively, including code, data/model analysis, and interpretation. Publish research in quality journals to disseminate the project's results to the scientific community and stakeholders.

5.  Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance the research group’s profile.

6.  Take a role in 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.

7.  Take a role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g., academic and stakeholder partners).

8.  Actively engage in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs, and culture of the group/School/College.

9.  Assist with the training and mentoring of junior researchers to ensure their effective development and contributing to the expansion of scientific expertise in the field of mathematical ecology.

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

11.  Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

12.  Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

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

For appointment at Grade 7:

14.   Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.

15.   Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.

16.   Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential: 

A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject (mathematics, physics, theoretical ecology or similar discipline with a strong quantitative component)

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of dynamical systems theory, bifurcation analysis, population dynamics, ecology, or related areas. In particular, we encourage researchers with a good grasp of using mathematical techniques to drive ecological insight.

A3 Knowledge of project-specific technical skills including population dynamic modelling, and an aptitude for engaging with ecologists.

A4 Expertise in a scientific programming language such as R, Python, Julia, C++, etc as evidenced by the use of a scientific programming language in models/analyses in published work.

For appointment at Grade 7: 

A5 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience.

Desirable: 

B1 Familiarity with using high-performance computing to solve computationally intensive problems.

B2 Familiarity with delay differential equations.

B3 Specialist knowledge of software for continuation and bifurcation problems such as AUTO, DDE-BIFTOOL, MatCont.

B4 General ability to manipulate data sets and carry out statistical parameter fitting.

B5 Broad knowledge of how species respond to environmental variation through trait expression

Skills 

Essential: 

C1 Research creativity and strong cross-discipline collaborative ability.

C2 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely.
C3 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

C4 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.

C5 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.
C6 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

Desirable: 

D1 Familiarity with standard statistical techniques for fitting non-linear functions to data

Experience 

Essential: 

E1 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

E2 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

E3 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.

E4 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design and analysis of mathematical models and drafting of papers.

E5 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, including in independent research related to mathematical ecology.

For appointment at Grade 7: 

E6 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

E7 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

E8 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E9 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.

E10 Experience in undertaking independent research.

Interviews are currently scheduled for 4/5th April 2024.

Closing date:  22 March 2024

Terms and Conditions 

Salary will be Grade 6/7, £32,332 - £36,024 / £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 3 years.

Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate

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.