Research Assistant/Associate
Research Assistant/Associate
- Posted 18 May 2026
- Salary 6/7, £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
- LocationGlasgow
- Job Type Research and Teaching
- Reference199313
- Expiry 15 Jun 2026 23:45
Job description
College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences
School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Research Assistant (G6)/Research Associate G7)
Job Purpose
You will make a leading contribution to a project aimed at analysing genomic data to investigate the genetic basis of inherited diseases in companion animals, joining Dr. Andrea Talenti’s team. 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:
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 duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Director of School/PI.
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.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & 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 genomic and epigenetic data analysis, including, but not limited to[RB1] , variant calling from whole genome sequencing data.
A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism
A4 Knowledge of at least a programming language, such as python, R or perl.
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.
A6 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism
A7 Knowledge of project specific technical models, equipment or techniques
Desirable:
B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Project or subject specific skills
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
C9 Proficiency in the use of Unix systems command lines
Experience
Essential:
E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher
E2 Project or subject specific experience
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 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences
E7 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities
E8 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.
E9 Experience in undertaking independent research
E10 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher
E11 Experience in using high performance distributed compute systems (HPC)
E12 Demonstrable experience in whole genome assembly and epigenetic data analysis (e.g. RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, methylation)
Desirable :
F1 An emerging national or international reputation
F2 Molecular laboratory experience, primarily for sample preparation (e.g. DNA/RNA extraction)[RB2]
Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential/desirable criteria.
Additional Information
Our School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our Athena Swan Silver award demonstrates our commitment to best practice in recruiting and supporting the career development and progression of female scientists, addressing gender inequalities in higher education. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/athenaswan/
The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) has 8 Schools that bring staff together around thematic strengths, across the strategic pillars of education, research and innovation. More information on the College can be accessed here: MVLS College Futures 2033
The School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine (SBOHVM) is home to researchers studying organismal biology and animal health across a diverse range of systems, approaches and disciplines with existing strengths in infectious disease, physiology, ageing, veterinary epidemiology, and evolution among others. The post holder would be based on the University of Glasgow’s Garscube campus, where the majority of veterinary teaching and research infrastructure is located, and where Dr Talenti’s group is based. This includes the Small Animal Hospital (a recent £15M investment) and our Veterinary Diagnostic Services , offering excellent opportunities for collaborative research at the clinical and translational interface, especially with respect to companion animals. Other relevant units located on the Garscube campus include the Glasgow Equine Hospital & Practice the Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health & Food Safety , the CRUK’s Beatson Institute for Cancer Research and the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research . The post holder will further benefit from recent College investment and reorganisation of shared research facilities, providing access to high-level equipment and support for protein, molecular and cellular analyses as well as bioinformatics and research computing.
For enquiries regarding this post please contact Dr Andrea Talenti, Andrea.Talenti@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.
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: 15 June 2026 at 23:45