Research Assistant/Associate
- Posted 10 September 2025
- Salary Grade 6/7, £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
- LocationGlasgow
- Job Type Research and Teaching
- Reference181293
- Expiry 24 September 2025 at 23:45
Job description
Job Purpose
You will make a leading contribution to the NIHR-funded project ‘Evaluating the impact of major income support policies on health inequalities across the life course: a micro-macro linked modelling study (MicMac)’, conducting policy-relevant research. You will be working with Dr Daniel Kopasker, Prof. Vittal Katikireddi, and Dr Anna Pearce at the University of Glasgow, plus a multidisciplinary team of researchers. The work will involve estimating the health effects of economic outcomes at multiple stages of the life course using secondary data. These estimates will be incorporated into an existing microsimulation model (SimPaths) to enable you to conduct analyses of the long-term effects of major income support policies. You will have a specific role in focusing on health inequalities within epidemiological analyses, policy evaluation, and will also be required to apply the microsimulation model to anticipate potential impacts of new and existing policies on health inequalities.
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.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of Dr Kopasker and the MicMac team:
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.
For appointment at Grade 7:
14. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.
15 Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area. 16. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience
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 quantitative methods relating to econometrics or epidemiology.
For appointment at Grade 7:
A3 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
Desirable:
B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent
Knowledge and Skills
Essential:
C1 Skills in applied quantitative methods such as econometrics or epidemiology.
C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability, including being able to work with qualitative researchers and patients/public with lived experience of health conditions being studied.
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, including ability to conduct advanced statistical analytical techniques using a relevant software package (e.g. R, Stata, SAS).
C7 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working
C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach
For appointment at Grade 7:
C9 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within causal inference methods
C10 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.
Experience
Essential:
E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher.
E2 Relevant experience related to quantitative methods, such as econometrics or epidemiology.
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.
For appointment at Grade 7:
Essential:
E6 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.
E7 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.
E8 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers. E9 Experience in undertaking independent research.
Desirable:
F1 An emerging national or international reputation
F2 Previous experience in conducting research on the social determinants of health and health inequalities.
F3 Previous experience in conducting causal analyses that address time-varying confounding e.g. g-computation, marginal structural modelling.
Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential/desirable criteria. This post would be suitable for job-share.
If you are interested in discussing this post informally, please contact Daniel.Kopasker@glasgow.ac.uk
Closing date: 24 September 2025
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
This post is full time, and has funding available until 30 June 2028
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.