Research Assistant / Associate

University of Glassgow
November 08, 2024
Contact:N/A
Offerd Salary:£33,232 - £36,924
Location:N/A
Working address:N/A
Contract Type:Other
Working Time:Full time
Working type:N/A
Ref info:N/A
Research Assistant / Associate

Job Purpose

You will contribute to a project (GET-GO: Gravitational wave detector Expertise & Technology-GrOwth) working with (Prof. Giles Hammond) within the Institute for Gravitational Research. Specifically, the job requires expert knowledge in gravitational wave detector hardware and technology, working in a multi-institution team led by Glasgow, but including researchers in the UK and India. 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.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator: Subject specific tasks: add separately or embed within generics below.

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

2. Contribute to the acquisition, set up, maintenance and integration of experimental apparatus or computational kit, or in setting up theoretical models or analysis strategies.

3. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

4. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g Academic and Industrial Partners).

8. 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.

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

10. Contribute to outreach and recruitment activities of The University of Glasgow.

11. Carry out modest Teaching activities (e.g demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

12. Be responsible for safety management related to the organisation and running of Laboratory and/or Experimental techniques, equipment and processes as appropriate.

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

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

15. Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School and/or PI.

16. To contribute to the enhancement of the University's international profile in line with the University's Strategic Plan – World Changers Together. https: // www. gla.ac.uk/explore/strategy/

For appointment at Grade 7:

17. 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.

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

19. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & 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 be reasonably expected to perform.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 10 (Honours Degree). May be working towards post-graduate qualification such as a Masters (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 11) or PhD (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12). Or Equivalent professional qualifications in relevant academic/research discipline, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of gravitational wave detector technology. This includes; (i) fused silica suspension fibre testing & characterisation and (ii) CO2 fibre pulling apparatus.

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

A4 Knowledge of specialist IT software (eg. Matlab and Python) as appropriate

A5 Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniques including modelling of thermal noise in gravitational wave suspension systems.

For appointment at Grade 7:

A6 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).

A7 The candidate should have direct knowledge of the optical alignment of CO2 fibre pulling apparatus

Desirable:

B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

Skills

Essential:

C1 Project or subject specific skills including; (i) experience in modelling vertical and horizontal thermal noise in fused silica suspension systems (ii) experience of building and using the characterisation tools necessary for fused silica fibre production (iii) a detailed knowledge of the mechanical and electrical design of fused silica fibre pulling machines.

C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C3 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C4 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C5 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills

C6 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

C7 Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

For appointment at Grade 7:

C9 Good Team Leadership skills

C10 be at a level capable of upgrading a fused silica pulling machine within an external lab (C1) and be able to motivate a research team across multiple UK/Indian institutes (C7)

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge in specialist subject/discipline and of research/teaching methods and techniques to work within the subject area.

E2 Experience of working in a large collaboration such as the LIGO Scientific Collaboration or equivalent

E3 Experience of scientific writing

E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

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

For appointment at Grade 7:

E6 Normally sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field

E7 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E8 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E9 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 papers.

E10 Experience in undertaking independent research Desirable:

E11 An emerging national or international reputation

Closing date: 8 November 2024

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,232 - £36,924 / £40,247 - £45,163 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and to cover maternity leave for up to 12 months, or until the substantive postholder returns

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

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.

Vacancy Ref : 157391 Close Date : 08-Nov-2024 23:45

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