Research Assistant - artificial intelligence (AI) for cancer project

Posted 11 August 2025
Salary Grade 6 £33,951-£37,694 per annum
End date 08 September 2025
LocationGlasgow
Job Type Research and Teaching
Reference179072
Expiry 08 September 2025 at 23:45

Job description

Job Purpose

 

The post holder will drive an interdisciplinary artificial intelligence (AI) for cancer project. The project will develop novel computational methods that leverage state-of-the-art deep learning models for proteins and genomes to predict clinical impacts of mutations in cancer.

 

The post holder will be appointed by the School of Cancer Sciences, working with Dr Ke Yuan and Professor David Chang and the wider multi-disciplinary research team at the School of Cancer Sciences and Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute. We are looking for candidates with experience/strong interests in learning some of the following: deep learning, omics and clinical data analysis.

 

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 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 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 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 duties of equivalent standing as assigned 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’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

 

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

 

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

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

A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of protein or genomic language models for biomolecular interaction prediction.

A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism

 

Desirable:

B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

 

Skills 

Essential:

C1 Proficient in programming using Python, and deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch.

C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

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 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate, including experience on omics analysis

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 Project or subject specific experience

E3 Experience of scientific writing

E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E5 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field

 

Desirable :

F1 An emerging national or international reputation

 

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential/desirable criteria.

 

For further information, please contact Dr Ke Yuan (https://www.crukscotlandinstitute.ac.uk/cruk-si-research/cruk-si-research-groups/ke-yuan.html) ke.yuan@glasgow.ac.uk and Professor David Chang (https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/cancersciences/staff/davidchang/) david.chang@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 12 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 : 8 September 2025 @23:45