Research Assistant / Associate

University of Glassgow
December 31, 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

To make a leading contribution on an EPSRC Programme Grant which aims to engineer an in vitro bone marrow niche to control stem cell regulation, metastatic evolution and cancer dormancy. Leukaemia, kills > 300,000 people per year, globally. This project aims to understanding the steps involved in leukaemia transformation using advanced hydrogel systems to study normal haemopoietic stem cells (HSCs), pre-leukaemic HSCs harbouring clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) mutations and leukaemic stem cells (LSCs). In particular, this project will focus on cell-to cell interactions and how the architecture of the bone marrow niche is remodelled during malignancy. LSCs dormancy and chemoprotective properties of the bone marrow niche will be areas of interest.

This project will involve validating the bone marrow niche model, testing chemotherapeutic drugs, advanced Brillouin-confocal microscopy and performing biological assays to characterise normal, pre-malignant and malignant samples, working with Professor Helen Wheadon and Professor Mhairi Copland. The successful candidate will also be expected to help manage and direct this work package and contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator:

1. Plan and conduct 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. 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.

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 research Group/School/College/University 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 admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

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/Director of Research Institute.

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 & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

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

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

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.

Desirable:

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

For appointment at grade 7:

Essential:

A2. 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).

Knowledge and Skills

Essential:

C1. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism (haematology/leukaemia/cancer biology/tissue microenvironment/bioengineering research).

C2. Experience/knowledge of flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy beyond single colour analysis.

C3. Experience/knowledge of 3D culture systems, spheroid/organoid culture.

C3. Ability and experience of mammalian cell culture, cell lines, and primary cells from human.

C4. Ability and experience in experimental techniques such as immunofluorescent imaging, western blotting, molecular biology techniques, qRT-PCR, sequencing, proteomics, Luminex.

C5. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C6. Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.

C7. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

C8. Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills

C9. Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

For appointment at grade 7:

Essential:

C10. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, this may also include sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

C11. Good Team Leadership skills.

C12. C1-10 at a higher number of skills or deeper specialisation.

Desirable:

D1. Bioinformatics training in RNA-sequencing and DNA-sequencing.

D2. Understanding of intellectual property protection.

D3. Experience in processing blood samples.

D4. Experience of haemopoietic stem cell assays.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

E2. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.

E3. 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.

E4. Experience in undertaking independent research.

Desirable:

F1. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

F2. Experience working with industrial partners (vis-à-vis record keeping and timelines).

F3. An emerging national or international reputation in the field of haematology, leukaemia research or bioengineering.

F4. A track record of winning research funding.

F5. Experience in public engagement activities.

Terms and Conditions

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

This post is full time, and has funding for until 4th February 2029

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 : 159892 Close Date : 31-Dec-2024 23:45

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