RESEARCH ASSISTANT

COLLEGE OF MVLS

School of Infection and Immunity

Research and Teaching

GRADE 6

Job Purpose

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 will play a key role in a ERC-funded research project that aims to elucidate the scope of cellular proteins that interact with viral RNA in infected cells and determine the molecular mechanisms by which they regulate the viral life cycle. This will involve conducting research on host-virus interactions, with strong focus on highly specialised RNA sequencing and proteomic approaches.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of Prof. Alfredo Castello and his team.

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables.

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

3. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of 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.

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 CVR 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 and lab management 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 Investigators.

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 Investigators.

13. 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 to perform.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Qualifications/Knowledge

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.

A2. Deep knowledge in RNA biology and RNA-binding proteins.

A3. Knowledge in computational analyses, including R.

Desirable:

B1. Working towards or completed a PhD in virology or related field.

Skills

Essential:

C1. A strong background in molecular and cellular virology. 

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 through professional talks.

C5. Data analysis/interpretation skills.

C6. Highly motivated, able to use initiative and quick to learn new techniques. 

C7. Creative, flexible and pragmatic approach to solving research problems.

Desirable

D1. Knowledge in proteomic-based approaches. D2 Data handling and management skills.

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 molecular and cellular virology, demonstrated through relevant work experience which may, if applicable, include experience through postgraduate studies.

E2. Experience RNA interactome approaches (RIC) and proteomic data analysis. 

E3 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.

Desirable:

F1. Experience in computational analyses R.

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Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Alfredo Castello, Alfredo.Castello@glasgow.ac.uk 

Terms and Conditions

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

This position is full time and has funding until 30 November 2026.

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.

Closing Date: 31 July 2025 at 23:45