Research Associate

The post holder will join the School of Infection and Immunity, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) (http://www.cvr.ac.uk/) and work within CRUSH: Antiviral Drug Screening and Resistance Hub, a facility established as a translational arm of the CVR and aimed to facilitate interactions with industry and academia on drug screening projects of SARS-CoV-2 or any other high consequence virus requiring BSL2 or BSL3 containment level facilities. The post-holder will be specifically responsible, in conjunction with the Academic Lead of CRUSH and the CRUSH Facility Manager, to carry out R&D projects, as for example develop new assays and pipelines, directly related to the work of CRUSH.

Crucially, a degree of flexibility is required in terms of working pattern to ensure the objectives of the facility are met. This will include working at weekends and/or other unsociable hours.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.       Take a leading role in the planning and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables of CRUSH and the strategy of the CVR.

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

3.       Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the CVR, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

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

5.       Presentation of work at appropriate forums to develop and enhance our research profile.

6.       Take a leading 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 leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the CVR and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).

8.       Take a leading role to team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs, and culture of the CVR.

9.       Take the lead in 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.

10.    Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

11.    Contribute to teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated administration as assigned by the CVR Director/PI.

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

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

14.    Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint work to maintain and enhance your expert reputation in the subject area.

15.    Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the CVR Director/PI.

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

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

Qualifications
Essential:

A1 PhD in Virology or other relevant subject, or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s)

Knowledge and Skills
Essential:

C1 Extensive and up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge in virology.

C2 A strong background in virological cell-culture based assays.

C3 Extensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism.

C4 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

C5 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentation and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely.

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

C7 IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

C8 Good team leadership skills including demonstrable supervisory skills.

Desirable:

D1 Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment, or techniques.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Relevant work experience appropriate to an early career researcher showing sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge in the specialist subject/discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within the subject area as demonstrated through relevant post-doctoral work experience.

E2 Experience with cell culture-based assays.

E3 Experience with molecular biology techniques.

E4 Experience in virological assay.

E5 Experience of scientific writing.

E6 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs (such as publications) in a timely and efficient manner.

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:

F1 Experience with statistical analysis software (Excel, GraphPad Prism, R etc).

F2 Experience of working at BSL3 containment level.

F3 Experience of operating high throughput liquid handling robotic laboratory equipment and IT skills in associated software operation.

F4 Experience working in a scientific R&D healthcare organisation – commercial or not for profit.

F5 An emerging national or international reputation.

Additional Details:

This position is available on a full-time basis and is funded until 31 March 2025.

Informal enquiries about the post may be directed to Prof Arvind Patel ([email protected]).

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to until 31/03/25

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.