Research Assistant
- Posted 05 May 2026
- Salary GRADE 6, £33,951-£37,694 per annum
- LocationGlasgow
- Job Type Research and Teaching
- Reference197433
- Expiry 18 May 2026 23:45
Job description
Job Purpose
To contribute to clinical and translational research within the Glasgow Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease Group across a portfolio of clinical trials, observational studies, and mechanistic research studies in rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and giant cell arteritis (GCA). The postholder will provide support in clinical research sample processing, laboratory-based experimental research, and data analysis to investigate disease mechanisms and evaluate therapeutic strategies.
The postholder will process clinical research samples including biopsy, blood and urine samples from multiple sites throughout Scotland in accordance with study specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), maintain accurate sample records using laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and contribute to the delivery of clinical and translational research studies.
The role will also involve the application and optimisation of established of in vitro experimental models and laboratory assays, with support from senior team members, as well as contributing to data analysis and interpretation within defined projects. The postholder will support scientific dissemination activities where appropriate, contributing to the overall research strategy of the group.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal Investigator and Line Manager:
1. Plan and conduct assigned research tasks individually or jointly in accordance with project deliverables and the research strategy of the group.
2. Contribute to clinical trials, observational studies and mechanistic research studies in rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and giant cell arteritis.
3. Process clinical research samples including blood, urine and tissue samples in accordance with study specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), clinical study protocols and regulatory requirements.
4. Undertake primary cell isolation, tissue culture and laboratory-based experimental work to support translational and mechanistic research studies.
5. Carry out established experimental protocols, in vitro models and laboratory assays as directed, and assist with basic troubleshooting where required, to support investigation of disease mechanisms and therapeutic responses.
6. Analyse and interpret experimental and clinical research data, maintain accurate research records and databases, and ensure data is recorded and stored in accordance with research governance and data management requirements.
7. Contribute to the preparation of research publications, conference abstracts, reports and research proposals.
8. Present data at internal meetings where appropriate.
9. Collaborate with academic, clinical and technical colleagues and participate in team meetings, seminars and workshops across the research group, School, College and wider academic and clinical community.
10. Provide support to students or new team members where appropriate.
11. Assist with the management of laboratory resources, consumables and equipment, and contribute to monitoring project expenditure where appropriate.
12. Ensure compliance with relevant Health and Safety, COSHH, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), research governance and other regulatory requirements related to clinical research and laboratory work.
13. Maintain up-to-date knowledge relevant to the role and engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
14. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Principal Investigator, Head of School or Director of Research Institute.
15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University's research profile in line with the University Strategy.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
A1. Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Level 10 (Honours Degree) in Immunology, Biomedical Science, Molecular Biology, Rheumatology, or a related life sciences discipline, or equivalent.
A2. Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of immunology, inflammatory disease, translational biomedical research, and clinical research sample processing.
Desirable
B1. An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in Immunology, Biomedical Science, Molecular Biology, Rheumatology, or a related discipline.
B2. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area, including immunology, inflammatory disease, rheumatology, or translational research methodologies.
B3. Experience working within clinical trials, observational studies, or translational research programmes.
Skills
Essential:
C1. Working knowledge of immunology, inflammatory disease, translational biomedical research, or rheumatology research, including human immune cell biology and inflammatory disease mechanisms.
C2. Practical knowledge of handling and processing human biological samples and tissue samples and working in accordance with study protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.
C3. Knowledge of primary immune cell isolation and cell culture.
C4. Ability to analyse and interpret experimental data and maintain accurate research records and databases including complex experimental or multi-modal datasets.
C5. Good IT and data analysis skills, including use of scientific data analysis software and laboratory data management systems and experience working with large or complex datasets.
C6. Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including the ability to present scientific data and contribute to reports, manuscripts and research proposals.
C7. Excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with academic, clinical and technical staff in a multidisciplinary research environment.
C8. Ability to plan, prioritise and manage workload across multiple projects to meet deadlines.
C9. Self-motivation, initiative and the ability to work independently as well as part of a research team.
C10. Problem solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot experimental protocols and laboratory techniques.
Desirable
D1. Knowledge of clinical trials, observational studies or translational research studies.
D2. Knowledge of relevant legislative and regulatory requirements relating to clinical research samples, including Health and Safety, COSHH, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), research governance and data protection.
D3. Experience with at least some immunological and molecular laboratory techniques, e.g. flow cytometry, ELISA, immunofluorescence or tissue-based imaging approaches, RNA/DNA extraction, qPCR, gene expression analysis. Exposure to sequencing-based approaches or library preparation would be advantageous.
D4. Basic knowledge of bioinformatics.
D5. Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems or similar sample tracking systems.
Experience
Essential
E1. Sufficient relevant research experience appropriate to an early career researcher in immunology, inflammatory disease, translational biomedical research, or a related biomedical science field.
E2. Experience of laboratory-based experimental research, including primary human immune cell culture, tissue processing, and molecular or immunological techniques.
E3. Proven ability to deliver research outputs in a timely and efficient manner and to work to project deadlines.
E4. Experience of working both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
Desirable
F1. Experience working with human clinical samples.
F2. Experience contributing to scientific outputs (e.g. reports, abstracts, or manuscripts).
F3. Experience presenting research findings at meetings or conferences.
F4. Experience managing laboratory consumables, equipment, or small project budgets.
F5. Experience working within a regulated clinical research environment and in accordance with SOPs, research governance and Good Clinical Practice.
Informal enquiries should be directed to Caron Paterson, Caron.Paterson@glasgow.ac.uk
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum.
This post is full-time and has funding available until 31 October 2026.
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.
Closing Date: 18 May 2026 at 23:45