Job Description

Research AssociateJob PurposeTo make a leading contribution to the UKRI ERC Horizon Europe Replacement Fund project: Powerful Plants. The Power of Plants as Food, Medicine and Raw Materials Before Agriculture (PI Professor Karen Hardy). Specifically, the focus of this position will be on reconstructing Palaeolithic behaviour and environment from microfossils embedded in dental calculus. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct individual research and contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and contribute to the management of this complex and challenging project.Main Duties and Responsibilities1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of 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. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint 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. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area.5. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.6. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).7. Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group, including Budgets/Expenditure.9. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.10. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.11. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.12. Contribute to the enhancement of the University\'s international profile in line with the University\'s Strategic Plan, World Changers TogetherProject Information :Microfossils can embed in dental calculus during life, and result in a unique personal record of past behaviour and environment. Dental calculus is an outstanding archaeological material as it ceases to develop after death and, as an adhering waste material, is unconditionally connected to each individual where it is found. Recovered microfossils can range in size from around 1-100 microns. Examples of microfossil materials that are habitually recovered include phytoliths, spores, fibres, microcharcoal, insect remains, pollen, starch granules and mineral particles. Together, these can provide empirical data on the paleoenvironment as well as behaviour, based on the wide range of materials that were unintentionally or deliberately placed in the mouth including food items, medicines and worked materials. The broad range of materials recovered requires an understanding of or interest in different types of microfossils. Identification of materials is based on personal and public reference materials. A dedicated microscope and clean lab are available for this project while the work will involve collaboration with specialists recovering biomolecular evidence.The POWERFUL PLANTS project uses archaeological evidence, supported by experimental archaeology and ethnographic data, to investigate the social, cultural and behavioural roles of human use of plants before farming. Plants are essential to our physical, psychological and physiological well-being today as they were in the past. They provide us with energy, nutrients, medicines and raw materials. Yet the role of plants before the emergence of agriculture around 10,000 years ago, is virtually unknown largely due to low survival rates on archaeological sites. This project has adopted an interdisciplinary approach to investigate three areas - food, medicine and technology - in which use of plants was pivotal in shaping human trajectories, with implications that are still evident today. The candidate with work within a multidisciplinary, international team based in Glasgow and other leading European institutions.For further information please see https://powerfulplants.gla.ac.uk/Informal enquiries about the role are welcomed and should be addressed to Professor Karen Hardy, Karen.Hardy@glasgow.ac.ukKnowledge, Qualifications, Skills and ExperienceKnowledge/ QualificationsEssential:A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s)A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialismA3 Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniquesSkillsEssential:C1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcherExperienceEssential:E1 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient mannerE2 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferencesE3 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activitiesE4 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 papersE5 Experience in undertaking independent researchE6 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replicationE7 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.Terms and ConditionsSalary will be Grade 7, \xc2\xa339,347 - \xc2\xa344,263 per annum.This post is full time, and has funding for 24 months.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/.In line with the commitments in the University of Glasgow\'s Gaelic Language Plan, we also welcome and value skills in Gaelic language for anyone working within areas where key Gaelic services are delivered, in particular within the School of Humanities / Sgoil nan Daonnachdan and the College of ArtsWe 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 : 145328 Close Date : 28-May-2024 23:45

University of Glasgow