Job Description

Research Assistant / Research Associate

Job Purpose

The post holder will join the School of Infection and Immunity, working in the Immunobiology research area under the supervision of Professor Robert Gray (Principal Investigator).

The applicant will make essential contributions to a research programme focussed on lung damage and repair processes in Cystic Fibrosis and other related chronic lung diseases such as COPD and Asthma.

The successful candidate will have extensive skills in investigating how cells in culture respond to stimuli such as chemical and bacterial challenges have relevant experience relating to the project. They will be self-motivated in designing and executing experiments, with a proven track record in the analysis of complex data.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

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

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and the research strategy of the School of Infection and Immunity.

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 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. 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 School 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 administration as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with the Principal Investigators.

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 reasonable duties as required by the Head of School and/or Principal Investigators

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 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.

Qualifications

Essential:

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification level 10 (Honours degree or equivalent) in Immunology or other relevant subject. May be working towards a post-graduate qualification such as a Masters (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 11) or PhD (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12).

For Appointment at Grade 7:

A2. Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 [PhD] in Immunology or a cognate discipline or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role[s]

Desirable at Grade 6:

B1 Working towards or completed a PhD in Immunology or related field.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential:

C1. Excellent skills and knowledge in immunology

C2. Extensive skills in multiparameter flow cytometry, complex immune cell isolation and culture.

C3. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C4. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.
C5. Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentation and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely.

C6. A high degree of competence in English scientific writing and speaking.

C7. Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.
C8. IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

C9. Highly motivated, able to use initiative and quick to learn new techniques.

C10. Creative, flexible and pragmatic approach to solving research problems.

Essential For Appointment at Grade 7:

C11. Good team leadership skills including demonstrable supervisory skills.

Desirable at grade 6 / 7:

D1. Skills in microscopy and/or other histological techniques.

D2. Knowledge of immunopathogenesis.

D3. Skills in analysis of complex flow cytometry datasets.

D4. Skills in working with small, high-value samples of tissue.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge with Cystic Fibrosis and other chronic lung diseases and of research/teaching methods and techniques to work in a range of immunological techniques, demonstrated through relevant work experience.

E2. Extensive experience with immunological techniques such as cell isolation from tissue and blood, flow cytometry, antibody staining and tissue culture.

E3. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs (such as publications) in a timely and efficient manner.

E4. Experience preparing data for publication and writing publications.

E5. Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.

Essential For Appointment at Grade 7:

E6. 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.

E7. Established publication track record in a relevant field of research, including at least one as first author, in appropriate-impact international scientific journals.

Desirable at grade 6 / 7:

F1. Experience with single cell RNA sequencing or flow-based cell sorting. Experience in stem cell isolation from biological samples and airway surface liquid epithelial cell cultures.

Additional Details

The post is full time (35 hours per week) with funding available for 3 years duration.

For enquiries regarding this post please contact Professor Robert Gray via email Robert.Gray@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, \xc2\xa339,347 - \xc2\xa344,263 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 3 years

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

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.

Vacancy Ref : 128928 Close Date : 19-Oct-2023 23:45

University of Glasgow