Research Associate

COLLEGE OF MVLS

SCHOOL of CARDIOVASCULAR & METABOLIC HEALTH

Research And Teaching

GRADE 7

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to a CSO-funded project on the prediction of cardiovascular disease in Scotland, working in the research discipline of biomarker science and cardiovascular epidemiology. The project will use large-scale study databases, laboratory biomarkers, and advanced statistical approaches. 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. In addition, the postholder will support analytical and laboratory research in a leading academic biomarker research laboratory focused on cardiometabolic health.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal Investigators (PI) Professor Paul Welsh.

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and the research strategy of the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health.

2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate. Ensure laboratory work is conducted to a level concordant with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) legislation and be fully auditable.

3. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of the School, 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. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the School and wider community.

6. 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.

7. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

8. Carry out modest Teaching activities [e.g. demonstrating etc.] and associated administration as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with the Principal Investigators.

9. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

10. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

11. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School and/or Principal Investigators

12. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

13. 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.

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

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

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks which the staff member may reasonably be expected to perform.

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 you will not be shortlisted for interview.

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. Specialist and practical knowledge of blood biomarkers and their measurement.

A3. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism

A4. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher. Usually demonstrated by publications in subject relevant peer-reviewed journals.

Desirable:

B1. Knowledge of Good clinical practice guidelines (GCP)

Skills

Essential:

C1. Excellent skills in epidemiology related to data analysis, particularly using biomarkers relevant to cardiovascular disease

C2. Excellent skills in basic laboratory equipment relevant to clinical biochemistry

C3. Extensive skills in biomarker measurement in blood and urine

C4. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C5. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach. C6. Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentation and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely.

C7. A high degree of competence in English scientific writing and speaking.

C8. Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills. C9. IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

C10. Highly motivated, able to use initiative and quick to learn new techniques.

C11. Creative, flexible and pragmatic approach to solving research problems.

C12. Good team leadership skills including demonstrable supervisory skills.

Desirable:

D1. Skills in the use of biochemistry analysers and immunoassay platforms

Experience

Essential:

E1. Experience in design and running of Patient and Public Engagement activities

E2. Experience in biomarker and study database analysis using a range of statistical approached in STATA or R software.

E3. Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge with cardiometabolic diseases and of research/teaching methods and techniques to work in a range of immunological techniques, demonstrated through relevant work experience.

E4. Extensive experience with ELISA and other laboratory biomarker measurement techniques

E5. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs (such as publications) in a timely and efficient manner.

E6. Experience preparing data for publication and writing publications.

E7. Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.

E8. Previous experience of RNA sequencing sample preparation and data analysis

E9. Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge in the specialist subject/discipline and of research/teaching methods and techniques to work within the subject area, as demonstrated through relevant post-doctoral work experience. This will include independence illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, the design/analysis of experiments, and the drafting of scientific publications.

E10. Established publication track record in a relevant field of research, including at least one as first author, in appropriate-impact international scientific journals.

Desirable:

F1. Experience of working with and managing large human blood sample biobanks.

Additional Details

For enquiries regarding this post please contact Professor Paul Welsh via email paul.welsh@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be:  Grade 7, £41,064- £43,482 per annum

This position is full time and has funding for up to 27 months from start date.

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:  15 August 2025 at 23:45