COLLEGE OF MVLS

School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

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Research Associate

Grade 7

Job Purpose

To lead and deliver the biological and physiological components of the Fish, Fishers and Finances project, generating high-resolution data on stress, welfare, metabolism and survival of ornamental fish across the Amazonian supply chain, and translating this into welfare-enhancing practice. The role involves extended periods of fieldwork in the Brazilian Amazon.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Lead field-based biological sampling across the Amazonian ornamental fish supply chain (capture, holding, transport, export), including water quality, behavioural and physiological data collection.

2.      Implement and refine welfare indicators including waterborne cortisol, reflex-based vitality scores (RAMP-style), ventilation rate, behaviour and colour change.

3.      Run and analyse laboratory experiments simulating capture, handling, crowding, air exposure and transport stressors using intermittent-flow respirometry and behavioural assays.

4.      Integrate longitudinal cohort data (WP1) with controlled experiments to identify welfare bottlenecks and mechanisms.

5.      Work with Amazonian partners to ensure biological protocols are field-robust, culturally appropriate and transferable to fishers.

6.      Provide biological input to WP2 intervention trials, including experimental design, data interpretation and feedback to communities.

7.      Contribute biological parameters (mortality, recovery, stress, survival) to the project’s bioeconomic and fisheries models (WP3).

8.      Publish high-impact papers on ornamental fish welfare, stress physiology and trade sustainability. Supervise and train MSc and MRes students contributing to the project.

9.      Support ethical approvals, animal welfare documentation and field biosafety compliance.

The above duties are not exhaustive and the postholder will be required to undertake any other relevant duties as required by the line manager which are commensurate with the grade of the post.

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential/desirable criteria below. Applications which do not address the essential criteria as requested will not be progressed.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 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.

A2 PhD in animal physiology, fish biology, aquaculture, veterinary science, behavioural ecology, or a closely related life-science discipline.

A3 Detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of fish stress physiology, welfare biology, or whole-animal performance.

A4 Knowledge of ethical and regulatory frameworks for working with live animals in research (e.g. Home Office, institutional or international equivalents).

A5 Understanding of how environmental stressors (e.g. handling, hypoxia, temperature, crowding, water quality) affect fish physiology and behaviour.

Desirable:

B1 Formal training or certification in animal welfare, laboratory animal science, or aquatic animal husbandry.

B2 Knowledge of ornamental fish, tropical freshwater species, or small-scale fisheries.

B3 Familiarity with bioenergetics, metabolic theory, or ecophysiological modelling.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Ability to design, implement and interpret controlled experiments involving live fish, including physiological and behavioural measurements.

C2 Competence in at least one physiological or welfare measurement technique (e.g. respirometry, cortisol or other stress biomarkers, behavioural assays, reflex tests, ventilation rate, colour change or similar).

C3 Strong quantitative and data-handling skills, including experience using R, Python, or equivalent software for statistical analysis and visualisation.

C4 Ability to work safely, accurately and independently in a laboratory or field setting with live animals.

C5 High-level organisational and record-keeping skills, including maintaining experimental logs, metadata, and sample tracking.

C6 Effective written and verbal communication skills for interdisciplinary teams and non-academic stakeholders.

Desirable:

D1 Experience with video-based behavioural analysis, automated tracking, or welfare scoring systems.

D2 Experience working with portable or field-deployable physiological equipment (e.g. water quality sensors, loggers, mobile respirometry).

D3 Ability to translate biological results into applied recommendations or management guidance.

D4 Ability to communicate in Portuguese for fieldwork and stakeholder engagement.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Demonstrable post-graduate research experience working with live fish or other aquatic animals.

E2 Experience generating and analysing primary physiological or behavioural data.

E3 Experience contributing to peer-reviewed scientific publications or reports.

E4 Experience working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team.

E5 Experience managing multiple tasks and experimental workflows to deadlines.

E6 Ability and willingness to undertake extended periods of fieldwork in remote locations in the Brazilian Amazon, including availability for international travel and time away from the home institution.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of fieldwork in remote, tropical or logistically challenging environments.

F2 Experience working in international research collaborations or with community or industry partners.

F3 Experience supervising or mentoring students or research assistants.

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 should be directed to Professor Shaun Killen, Shaun.Killen@glasgow.ac.uk 

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and has funding until 31 March 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.

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Closing date 18 March 2026at 23:45