Job Purpose

You will be based at Glasgow and contribute to a BBSRC funded project: Mechanisms of gut-brain axis involvement in ectotherm thermotolerance: how the gut brain axis helps animals weather the heat? working with Kevin Parsons (Glasgow), and co-PI  Alexandre Benedetto (Lancaster) as well as collaboration with Jason Chin (Queen’s University Belfast) and Phillip Donkersley (Lancaster).

The successful candidate will join this team and focus on thermally-driven variation in microbiomes associated with threespine stickleback populations inhabiting geothermally-warmed habitats. Experiments and analysis will operate within an evolutionary framework to provide a deeper understanding of microbiome function in this study system, and will contribute to a broader insight into how populations of ectotherms could respond to climate change. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications as well as help manage and direct this project as opportunities allow. Specifically, the project will develop a unique natural gut microbial collection and identify gut microbes with thermoprotective potential. Approaches will involve shotgun-metagenomics, assisting with the isolation and cultivation of gut bacteria associated with heat adaptation, identifying genetic and developmental variation associated with heat adaptation, experimental manipulations of gut bacteria, and identification of gut/brain gene-expression changes associated with heat adaptation.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator:

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

2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of 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 team, including contributing to publications of international quality

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

8. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

9. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

10. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University Strategy. 

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject  (involving microbiology, fish biology, ) or a cognate discipline, or equivalent

A2 Theoretical knowledge of evolutionary biology

Desirable

B1 PhD (or PhD near completion) involving microbiology, fish biology, or a related discipline

B2 Candidates should have knowledge from at least one of fish biology, microbiology, genetics, or a related area

B3 Knowledge of metagenomics, or familiarity with population genomics

B4 Knowledge of experimental design

Skills

Essential

C1 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability

C3 Excellent communication skills [oral and written], including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C4 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C5 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills

C6 Data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate

C7 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

Experience

Essential

E1 Sufficient relevant research experience [or equivalent] appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 Experience of scientific writing

E3 Proven ability to deliver quality publications in a timely and efficient manner

Additional Information

Our School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our Athena Swan Silver award demonstrates our commitment to best practice in recruiting and supporting the career development and progression of female scientists, addressing gender inequalities in higher education.  The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/athenaswan/

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) has 8 Schools that bring staff together around thematic strengths, across the strategic pillars of education, research and innovation.  More information on the College can be accessed here: MVLS College Futures 2033

Informal enquiries may be directed to : Dr Kevin Parsons, Kevin.Parsons@glasgow.ac.uk.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 36 months.

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 : 24 November 2025 @23:45