Job Purpose

You will contribute to an international collaborative project entitled “Multi-scale infection dynamics from cells to landscapes: FMD in African buffalo”, working with Prof Roman Biek. This innovative NSF/BBSRC-funded project uses foot-and-mouth-disease virus (FMDV) in African buffalo as a model to understand how phenotypic variation within virus species can explain the spread, persistence, and co-existence of viral variants. Your role will be to process virus sequence data and to contribute phylodynamic analyses and models to test how variation among variants scales up to structure viral diversity at the landscape scale, working closely with collaborators at the U Warwick (mathematical modelling) and Pirbright (virology) in the UK as well as collaborators in the USA and South Africa. 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.

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, and 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 Director of School/PI.

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.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 SCQF Level 10 [Honours degree] in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent

Desirable:

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

For appointment at grade 7:

A2  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.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Theoretical and practical knowledge of pathogen evolution and molecular epidemiology

C2 Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of phylodynamic approaches and models

C3 Practical up-to-date skills in bioinformatics and processing high-throughput sequence data

C4 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate

C5 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C6 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C7 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills

C8 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate

C9 Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C10 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

For appointment at grade 7:

C11 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism

C11 Knowledge of project specific technical models, equipment or techniques

C12 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher

Desirable:

D1 Theoretical and practical knowledge of virus evolution, genomics and epidemiology

D2 Practical knowledge of spatial epidemiological models

D3 Practical knowledge of evolutionary simulation models

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

For appointment at grade 7:

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

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

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

For informal enquiries or further information about the position, please contact Professor Roman Biek (Roman.Biek@glasgow.ac.uk)

For more information about the larger project see

https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=BB/X006085/1

https://vetmed.oregonstate.edu/all-stories/fy-2023-research-highlights

For more information on the University of Glasgow’s School of Biodiversity One Health & Vet Medicine, please visit

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/

Terms and Conditions

Salary Grade 6/7, £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.  

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 24 months, with the possibility of a further 12 month extension.

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: 2 December 2025 at 23:45