Research Assistant

Job Purpose

You will contribute to a Wellcome Trust-funded research project working in the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology within the School of Infection and Immunity under the supervision of Professor Richard McCulloch [Principal Investigator]. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications.

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/Institute/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/Institute/Research Group, 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 and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

5. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research Group/Institute/College/University and wider community.

6. 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.

7. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and Institute, including budgets/expenditure.

8. Carry out modest teaching activities [eg demonstrating etc] and associated admin as assigned by the Director of Research Institute and in consultation with Principal Investigator and Research Co-investigator.

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 Director of Research Institute and in consultation with Principal Investigator and Research Co-investigator.

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

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 criteria in the format explained above you will not be shortlisted for interview.

Qualifications

Essential:

A1. SCQF Level 10 [Honours degree] in Parasitology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.

A2. Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of the following: cell and molecular biology.

A3. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism.

Desirable:

B1. An awarded [or recently submitted or near completion] Masters degree in Parasitology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or a cognate discipline.

B2. Training in bioinformatics.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential:

C1. Skills in molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acids and protein isolation, molecular cloning etc.

C2. Familiarity with genetic modification technologies.

C3. Familiarity with next generation sequencing approaches (eg DNA-seq, ChIP-seq).

C4. Familiarity with cell cycle, life cycle and genome biology.

C5. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate

C6. Excellent communication skills [oral and written], including ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C7. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C8. Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills

C9. IT and data analysis/interpretation skills (e.g. Microsoft Office, Statistics Software, etc)

C10. Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C11. Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

Desirable:

D1. Experience in generating genetically modified cells.

D2. Experience in bioinformatics data analysis.

D3. Practical knowledge of recombinant protein expression

Experience

Essential:

E1. Experience of DNA cloning, subcloning and sequencing.

E2. Experience in cell culture.

E3. Experience of scientific writing.

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

Desirable:

F1. Experience in expression and purification of recombinant proteins

F2. Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field

Further Enquiries

This is a full time post [35 hours per week] and has funding available for 2 years

Any further enquiries on this post may be directed to Professor McCulloch via email [email protected]

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 2 years

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.