Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to the project ‘Understanding arrhythmia mechanism to improve risk stratification for life-threatening arrhythmia in the inherited long QT syndrome’ working with Professors Myles and Smith, alongside our collaborator Dr Martin Bishop (Kings College London). This British Heart Foundation-funded project, based in the Myles Lab, will examine cellular and tissue-level determinants of proarrhythmia in an experimental model of long QT syndrome (LQTS) with translation into novel risk stratification approaches using computational modelling. The successful candidate will join an ongoing research program to lead the experimental side of the project, working closely with the computational modelling PDRA in Dr Bishop’s team. The successful candidate(s) will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research reports, publications, and research proposals, as well as help manage and direct the project as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support research within the group to further our understanding of how ventricular arrhythmias may be predicted and prevented in LQTS.

2. Perform laboratory experiments using appropriate physiological and pharmacological methods and interpret the results.

3. Document research output, including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, and drafting regular progress reports for funders.

4. Be responsible for safety management related to the organisation and running of laboratory and/or experimental techniques, equipment, and processes as appropriate.

5. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of the University of Glasgow / School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health / Myles & Smith groups, 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.

6. Develop personal skills, training, and experience for career advancement.

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

8. Enhance the University’s international profile in line with its Strategic Plan, “Inspiring People; Changing the World”.

9. Contribute towards developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues in the Myles & Smith groups, funders, industrial partners, and academic colleagues.

10. Present research at internal/external meetings with funders, international and national conferences, and at internal and external seminars, to develop and enhance our research profile.

11. Contribute to the supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1. SCQF Level 10 (honours degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.

A2. Specialist theoretical and practical experience of cellular & cardiac electrophysiology, related techniques, and data analysis.

A3. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of arrhythmia research and contemporary cellular and whole heart electrophysiology research methods.

A4. Knowledge of ion channel and calcium handling pathways in cardiac ventricular muscle.

Desirable:

B1. An awarded [or recently submitted or near completion] Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in a relevant discipline.

B2. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of LQTS research.

B3. A working knowledge of computational modelling in cardiac electrophysiology.

Skills

Essential:

C1. Isolated ex vivo heart perfusion and physiological monitoring, with associated data analysis/interpretation skills.

C2. Isolated cell experiments and physiological measurements with associated data analysis/interpretation skills.

C3. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability.

C4. Communication skills [oral and written], including ability to communicate complex and/or large volume data clearly and concisely to a varied audience.

C5. Excellent inter-personal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

C6. Appropriate workload and prioritisation skills, including the ability to balance competing demands whilst sustaining quality output.

C7. Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

C8. Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.

Desirable:

D1. Expertise in measuring cardiac electrophysiological parameters ex vivo.

D2. Expertise in wide-field optical mapping.

D3. Expertise in cardiac cell isolation.

D4. Expertise in cellular electrophysiological measurements.

D5. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

D6. Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design and analysis of experiments and drafting of papers.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Experience making and analysing optical measurements of transmembrane voltage and/or intracellular calcium in ventricular myocytes.

E2. Experience of making and analysing optical measurements of transmembrane voltage and/or intracellular calcium in isolated hearts.

E3. Experience of interpreting the requirements of others and generating high quality work to meet research objectives.

E4. Experience of working collaboratively with others towards a common goal.

E5. Project or subject specific experience.

E6. Experience of scientific writing.

E7. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

Any further enquiries on this post may be directed to Professor Rachel Myles via email Rachel.Myles@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 for up to 2 years from start date

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: 21 August 2025 at 23:45