Research Assistant /Research Associate

Job Purpose

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Assistant/Associate to join our team in the School of Biodiversity, One Health &Veterinary Medicine.

You will contribute to/make a leading contribution to analysing and interpreting genetic data for the nematode parasite Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm) to support the ongoing global campaign to eradicate Guinea worm, working with Professor James Cotton, Dr Elizabeth Thiele (Vassar College, NY, USA) and other members of the Guinea worm eradication program at The Carter Center.

The successful candidate will assist with developing appropriate population genetic analyses to evaluate the parasite’s transmission dynamics and population history, develop computational pipelines to perform variant calling and statistical analyses necessary to interpret the large-scale genetic data being generated by the program, and produce interpretable and accessible outputs for broad audiences including program epidemiologists, modellers, and partner countries and organisations.

The data include Illumina sequence data from mitochondrial genomes and from a massively parallel nuclear microsatellite panel from tens of thousands of samples, as well as extensive epidemiological records and metadata, providing a uniquely detailed resource for a eukaryotic pathogen. The ideal candidate will have experience in some or all of molecular epidemiology, population genetics and bioinformatics, and a passion for using genetic data to inform real-world public health applications.

While the focus is on data analysis, this position will include working with international partners and will require presenting high-level and professional results to diverse audiences.

The post will be based in Glasgow, with opportunities for travel to Vassar College (New York, USA) and The Carter Center (Georgia, USA) for collaborative work and eradication program meetings. The successful candidate will be required to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as make a significant contribution to the management and direction of this complex and challenging project. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Co-Investigators:

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, databases and documented software code, 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, the Carter Center, the global campaign to eradicate Guinea worm and other project partners 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.

4. Contribute to the presentation of work at international meetings of program staff and partners, as well as at scientific conferences, 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 team/group meetings/seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.

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 admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with 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 duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Director of School/PI.

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

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 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 genetics, genomics, parasitology or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.

A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of generating and analysing population genetic data to gain epidemiological insights

A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology and population genetics.

For appointment at grade 7:

A4  Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.

Desirable:

B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent.

B2 A qualification in bioinformatics, computational biology, genetics or other relevant subject.

Skills

Essential:

C1 High-level, complex data analysis skills, with experience in R and/or other high-level programming language and working in a linux HPC environment.

C2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge and experience of infectious disease epidemiology, population genetics, bioinformatics.

C3 Research creativity and ability to collaborate across disciplines

C4 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.

C5 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

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

C7 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

C8 Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.

C9 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

C10 Attention to detail

For appointment at grade 7:

C11 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within

population genetics and/or infectious disease epidemiology.

C12 Expert knowledge of technical approaches in population genetics and/or infectious disease epidemiology.

C13 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

Desirable:

D1 Experience of analysing genome-scale data

D2 Experience of analysing genetic data in the context of other epidemiological data such as geospatial and environmental data

D3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the issues in helminth parasite control

Experience

Essential:

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

E2 Project or subject specific experience.

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.

For appointment at grade 7:

E6 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

E7 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.

E8 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.

E9 Experience in undertaking independent research.

Desirable :

F1 An emerging national or international reputation.

F2 Experience in training others in interpretation of genetic or epidemiology data.

F3 Experience of working with and/or developing bioinformatics pipelines in snakemake, nextflow or similar workflow engine

F4 Experience of analysing and interpreting microsatellite genotype data

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential/desirable criteria. Please number each criteria and state how you meet them.

Additional Information

Our School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our Athena Swan Silver award demonstrates our commitment to best practice in recruiting and supporting the career development and progression of female scientists, addressing gender inequalities in higher education.  The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/athenaswan/

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) has 8 Schools that bring staff together around thematic strengths, across the strategic pillars of education, research and innovation.  More information on the College can be accessed here: MVLS College Futures 2033

For enquiries regarding this post please contact Professor James Cotton, [email protected]

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding available until 30 June 2027, but with a possibility of renewal.

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 post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

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.

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Closing Date: 5 October 2026 at 23:45