Research Assistant / Research Associate

Job Purpose

The post holder will join the School of Infection and Immunity (https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/infectionimmunity/), MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) (http://www.cvr.ac.uk/) working with the Principal Investigator, Dr Stephen Carter (https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/cvr/aboutus/people/researchgroups/cartergroup/). We are looking to recruit a structural or cellular biologist to build on success looking at virus-host interactions using cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) combined with cryogenic correlated light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM) and cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milling.

One aspect of the post is designed for a candidate who is keen to develop cryo-CLEM approaches through the creation and exploitation of proteins that contain unnatural amino acids. The successful candidate will be trained in how to apply cryo-ET coupled with fluorescence to map key functional proteins and contribute to the study of important structural relationships between the replication machinery of clinically important viruses and cellular organelles. The ideal candidate will have experience in molecular biology, cryo-EM sample preparation techniques, processing skills of EM images, and self-motivated in designing and executing cryo-electron microscopy experiments.

The CVR has access to instrumentation in the Scottish Centre for Macromolecular Imaging (SCMI), such as the JEOL CRYO ARM 300 electron microscope, Leica EM GP2, a cryo-FIB with a Quorum transfer stage, and the Leica THUNDER Imager EM cryo-CLEM microscope. This technology will allow the candidate to develop their skills to target events that happen deep in the cell so we can see more of the context of virions, including their interactions with cellular organelles.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr Stephen Carter.

1. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/meetings/seminars/workshops across the CVR and wider community.

2. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and the research strategy of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR).

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

4. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of the CVR, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

5. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6. 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.

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, including Budgets/Expenditure.

9. Carry out modest teaching activities [e.g. demonstrating etc.] and associated administration as assigned by the CVR Director and in consultation with the Principal Investigator.

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

11. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

12. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Director of the CVR and/or Principal Investigator.

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

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 and subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks which the staff member may reasonably be expected to perform.

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential/desirable criteria. If you do not address each criterion in the format explained below you will not be shortlisted for interview.

Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification level 10 (Honours degree or equivalent) in a biological science or other relevant subject.  May be working towards a post-graduate qualification such as a Masters (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 11) or PhD (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12).

Or

Equivalent professional qualifications in a relevant academic/research discipline, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

For Appointment at Grade 7:

A2 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in cell biology, structural biology or related field, such as X-ray crystallography or NMR or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

Desirable at Grade 6:

B1 Working towards or completed a PhD in cell biology, structural biology or related field, such as X-ray crystallography or NMR.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential:

C1 A strong background in structural biology data collection and image processing. C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C3 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach. 

C4 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentation and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely.

C5 A high degree of competence in English scientific writing and speaking.

C6 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.

C7 IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

C8 Highly motivated, able to use initiative and quick to learn new techniques.

C9 Creative, flexible and pragmatic approach to solving research problems.

For Appointment at Grade 7:

C10 Good team leadership skills including demonstrable supervisory skills.

Desirable at Grade 6/7:

D1 Knowledge of correlated light and electron microscopy.

D2 Knowledge of image segmenting within 3D volumes.

D3 Laboratory data handling and management skills; for example, statistical analysis (Excel, R, Prism etc).

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge in the specialist subject discipline and of research/teaching methods and techniques to work in virology, demonstrated through relevant work experience.

E2 Experience with IMOD, EMAN2, Relion, Amira and Chimera.

E3 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs (such as publications) in a timely and efficient manner.

E4 Experience preparing data for publication and writing publications.

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

For Appointment at Grade 7:

E6 Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge in the specialist subject/discipline and of research/teaching methods and techniques to work within the subject area, as demonstrated through relevant post-doctoral work experience. This will include independence illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, the design/analysis of experiments, and the drafting of scientific publications. 

E7 Established publication track record in a relevant field of research, including at least one as first author, in appropriate-impact international scientific journals.

Desirable at Grade 6/7:

F1 Experience in aseptic tissue culture.

F2 Experience with writing and implementing scripts using Python etc.

F3 Experience with purification of viruses.

Desirable at Grade 7:

F4 An emerging national or international reputation.

Additional Details

This post is full-time and is funded until 31 July 2026.

Informal enquiries about this post may be directed to Dr Stephen Carter ([email protected]).

Terms and Conditions

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

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.