Job Purpose

We have an exciting research opportunity for a Research Assistant / Associate to join our team in the School of Infection & Immunity.

The purpose of this role is to carry out cutting-edge research to understand organelle biology in apicomplexan parasites (Toxoplasma gondii and/or Plasmodium falciparum). The core approaches will be to carry out CRISPR/Cas9-guided experimental genetic modification of genes encoding organellar proteins to create lines in which individual (or multiple) genes are tagged or deleted and to follow up with biochemical and cell biology methods for phenotypic analysis.

You will design and generate the vectors needed to modify the parasite genomes, transfect and genotype modified lines, and phenotype them using an array of cell-biology and biochemical approaches; Another key approach is large scale culturing and

biochemical isolation of mitochondria and/or mitochondrial complexes.

Your primary focus will be on carrying out outstanding academic research leading to impactful papers, providing substantial scope for innovation, creativity and scientific judgement. You will work within a highly collaborative team, be expected to interact closely with other team members carrying out synergistic work on the same topic, so collaboration, communication and collegiality are key attributes. At the same time you will work independently with a “hands-off” management style, so proactive approach, high self-motivation, resourcefulness and strong drive to achieve academic goals are also highly important attributes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Design, generate and validate complex genome modification vectors using molecular biology techniques

2. Routinely culture Plasmodium or Toxoplasma parasites and carry out transfections to generate modified lines

3. Genotype modified lines and clone by limiting dilution

4. Phenotype lines using an array of cell biology and biochemical techniques, such PCR, western, qRT-PCR, co-immunoflourescence, flow cytometry, and co-immunoprecipitation

5. Provide support and guidance for other members of the team, including graduate students and research assistants, as required

6. Contribute to the lab working environment, contributing in a collegial and active manner to matters of organisation and health and safety

7. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

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

9. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the organisations and wider parasitology and cell biology communities.

10. Take a leading role in group meetings and organisation research activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the organisation.

11. Take the lead in 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.

12. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including budgets/expenditure.

13. Make a contribution to teaching activities [eg demonstrating etc] and associated admin.

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

15. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

16. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Director of Research.

17. Contribute to the enhancement of the university’s international profile e.g. in line with the University of Glasgow Strategic Plan – World Changers Together

For appointment at Grade 7

18. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to initiating, planning, funding, creating collaborations and formulating publications.

research, and mentoring colleagues.

19 Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.

20. Develop independent expertise and import them to the team

21. Develop high level of expertise in the research literature and environment, understand at high level the research challenges associated with the subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

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

If you do not address each criterion in the format explained above you will not be shortlisted for interview.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

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

A2. Sufficient specialist knowledge and experience of relevant laboratory techniques appropriate for the objectives of the project.

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

For appointment at grade 7:

A4. 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.

A5. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the current state of the art and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism.

A6. Knowledge of project specific technical models, equipment or techniques.

Desirable: 

B1. An awarded [or recently submitted] PhD in subject specialism

Skills

Essential:

C1. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge related to the field of research.

C2. Excellent skills of culturing and genetic manipulation of *Plasmodium or Toxoplasma *parasites, or extensive culturing and genetic manipulation of other eukaryotic cell-lines as evidenced through publication

C3. Skills in fluorescence microscopy

C4. Skills in phenotyping (e.g. using flow cytometry, western blot, etc)

C5. Ability to deliver high-quality scientific outputs, as evidenced through publication.

C6. Excellent organization and record keeping skills;

For appointment at grade 7:

C7. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including significant postdoctoral experience in a relevant or related field.

Desirable:

D1. Skills in multiple biochemical and cell-biology techniques (cell fractionation,

immunoprecipitation, growth assays, enzyme activity assays).

D2. Skills with bioinformatic analyses (e.g. analysis of metabolomics or proteomics data).

D3. Familiarity with protein modification and purification techniques.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Experience in generating transgenic *Plasmodium or Toxoplasma *parasite lines, or extensive experience in generating transgenics of other eukaryotic cell-lines - this means having successfully delivered the entire process (designing and producing vectors, transfecting, selecting, genotyping, cloning) multiple times, as evidenced through publication

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

E4. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals

E5. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E6. 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

For appointment at grade 7:

E7. Experience in undertaking independent research

E8. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E9. Experience in leading and undertaking independent research

Desirable

F1. Experience and understanding of UK biological safety regulations and procedures involved in culturing human *Plasmodium or Toxoplasma *parasites or similar pathogens.

Further Information

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Lilach Sheiner Lilach.Sheiner@glasgow.ac.uk 

Terms and Conditions

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

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding available until 31 December 2029.

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: 27 February 2026 at 23:45