Research Assistant

COLLEGE OF MEDICAL VETERINARY & LIFE SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF INFECTION & IMMUNITY

Research and Teaching

GRADE 6

Job Purpose

You will contribute to a research project investigating the cellular biology of intestinal inflammation and repair within the School of Infection and Immunity under the supervision of Dr Gareth-Rhys Jones [Principal Investigator]. 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.

The project

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), principally Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are lifelong incurable conditions of the gastrointestinal tract of unknown aetiology. Around 1% of people in Scotland live with the condition, which is characterised by repeated, unpredictable, episodes of gut inflammation with resultant diarrhoea, pain, bleeding and fatigue.

Our research aims to understand the mechanisms and immune cells that drive intestinal inflammation, how repair is initiated and why these processes are no longer balanced appropriately in IBD.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated Research Assistant to support this work. This will include the use of a variety of transgenic mouse models, state of the art transcriptome technologies (e.g. scRNA-seq and spatial), flow cytometry, tissue culture including intestinal organoids and tissue processing techniques.

Training and experience in these techniques is desirable but will also be provided.

The RA postholder will play a key role in coordinating the day-to-day aspects of the project, working collaboratively as part of the exciting new Gut Translational Research Group, a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists, also based in Sii.

The role will require the ability to be flexible, to work within a larger team and to assimilate new skills as the project develops.

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/School/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/School/Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed publications, 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. 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 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 Strategy.

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.

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification level 10 (Honours degree or equivalent) in Immunology 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).

A2. Theoretical and practical knowledge in immunology.

Desirable:

B1. An awarded [or recently submitted or near completion] PhD in immunology or equivalent.

Skills

Essential:

C1. Familiarity with macrophage biology and immunology more generally.

C2. Skills in tissue culture of immune system cells.

C3. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C4. Excellent communication skills [oral and written], including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.

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.

Desirable:

D1. Skills in a range of immunology techniques, including multiparameter flow cytometry.

D2. Skills in handling RNA, RT-PCR amplification and analysis.

D3. Skills in microscopy (immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence).

D4. Skills in bioinformatic analyses.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge in immunology and of research / teaching methods and techniques, demonstrated through relevant work experience.

E2. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

E3. Experience with complex transgenic models of inflammation/infection.

E4. Experience with immunological techniques such as cell isolation, high-dimensional flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, cell stimulation assays.

E5. Experience of scientific writing.

E6. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

Desirable:

F1. Hold a Home Office Licence and have a sound understanding of the NC3Rs and ASPeL (or non-UK equivalent)

F2. Proficiency in molecular biology techniques such as preparation of material for transcriptional profiling e.g., qPCR, bulk RNA-seq

This position is full time and has funding until 28 February 2028.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Gareth-Rhys Jones, Gareth.R.Jones@glasgow.ac.uk 

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,482 - £37,174 per annum

This post is full time and has funding until 28 February 2027.

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 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 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: 30 June 2025 at 23:45

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