Research Assistant/Associate
Research Assistant/Associate
- Posted 05 May 2026
- Salary Grade 6 £33,951-£37,694/Grade 7 £41,064-£46,049 per annum per annum
- LocationGlasgow
- Job Type Research and Teaching
- Reference198734
- Expiry 01 Jun 2026 23:45
Job description
Job Purpose
This BBSRC-funded position is for a plant molecular biologist working in the Christie laboratory. The project aims to gain a deeper understanding of the phosphoregulatory mechanisms underlying light-capturing responses in plants, particularly through inter-receptor transphosphorylation between phototropin kinases. The candidate will take a leading role in training and driving research for the formulation and submission of research publications to advance this cutting-edge and exciting project as opportunities allow.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Undertake planning and conduct of assigned research individually and working within the research team, in consultation with Principal Investigator, and in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
2. Document research output including observations 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 publications, 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 and subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
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.
8. Contribute to organization, 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 and contribute to the general running of the laboratory in consultation with Principal Investigator.
10. Contribute to Teaching activities (e.g project supervision etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.
11. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
12. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
13. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School.
14. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University Strategy, World Changing Glasgow 2025.
15. Participate in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
16. Contribute to and take a leading role in Public Engagement activities led by the laboratory.
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 and subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
A1 SCQF Level 10 [Honours degree] in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or Equivalent.
A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of in plant receptor signaling and protein-protein interactions.
A3 Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism.
A4 A recently submitted or near completion PhD in subject specialism (plant photobiology) or equivalent (plant biochemistry/molecular biology).
For appointment at Grade 7:
A5 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience in protein biochemistry and plant physiology.
A6 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area and subject specialism in plant photoreceptor signaling and protein-protein interactions.
A7 Sufficient depth/ research experience/knowledge in techniques such as co-immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry, transient protein expression in tobacco as appropriate to an early career researcher.
Desirable:
B1 Knowledge of kinase studies and protein phosphorylation assays.
B2 Knowledge of conducting measurements of chloroplast movement.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Proven research skills in protein biochemistry or plant molecular biology relevant to the project.
C2 Knowledge working with Arabidopsis thaliana model plant, equipment or techniques and proven experience in plant cell biology.
C3 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.
C4 Excellent communication skills [oral and written], including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.
C5 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.
C6 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.
C7 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.
C8 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.
C9 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.
For appointment at Grade 7:
C10 Proven ability to deliver quality research outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
C11 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.
C12 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources, and practices that support replication.
C13 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism with specialist knowledge in receptor protein signalling and proteomics technologies.
Experience
Essential:
E1. Sufficient relevant research experience [or equivalent] appropriate to an early career researcher.
E2. Project or subject specific experience, including experience in plant receptor signaling, protein biochemistry and plant physiology.
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:
Essential:
E6. A track record of scientific presentations and publication of research results in quality peer reviewed journals/ presentations at international conferences.
E7. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.
E8. Experience in undertaking independent research.
E9. Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.
E10. Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design and analysis of experiments and drafting of papers.
E11. Proven experience in protein biochemistry and plant physiology relevant to the project, including but not limited to protein production/purification, immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation and live cell imaging based approaches to monitor protein localization/interactions.
E12. Experience in routine lab running, working within a large research group and training of colleagues/ students.
Desirable:
F1. Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
F2. Proven experience for working with tomato plant models.
F3. Participation in public engagement activities.
For enquiries regarding this post please contact Professor John Christie, John.Christie@glasgow.ac.uk
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding available for up to 24 months in first instance.
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: 1 June 2026 at 23:45