Research Associate
- Posted 21 April 2026
- Salary Grade 7 £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
- End date 05 May 2026
- LocationGlasgow
- Job Type Research and Teaching
- Reference197633
- Expiry 05 May 2026 23:45
Job description
Research Associate: chronic rodent electrophysiologist
Background
We are looking for a postdoctoral Research Associate to undertake a BBSRC-funded project working with Professor Kate Jeffery and Dr Mick Craig, investigating the activity of neurons in the anterior thalamus of rats, using tetrodes and Neuropixels silicon probes. We aim to understand how these neurons may be involved in memory consolidation. You will be working in a vibrant and beautiful city, and have the chance to interact with other related research groups in a lively intellectual environment.
Job Purpose
To make a leading contribution to a BBSRC-funded project on the neural processing of space in the thalamus of freely behaving rats. The successful candidate will be expected to set up and run the behavioural electrophysiological experiments, analyse data and contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy, as well as in accordance with ethical constraints as specified both in law and in local ethical guidelines and policies.
2. Take responsibility for ensuring that relevant research equipment is safe and maintained in good working order, and that users of the equipment are appropriately trained and supervised.
3. Undertake organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of less experienced members of the project team, such as undergraduate and/or postgraduate students, as required by the line manager.
4. Document research output including maintaining records and databases as well as analysis and interpretation of all relevant data.
5. Contribute to the preparation, submission and revision of papers and other outputs to be submitted to appropriate peer reviewed journals or other for a, collaborating with others as appropriate, and respecting principles of Open Science where possible.
6. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
7. Work in a collegial manner with colleagues, including appropriately acknowledging all team members’ contributions, and participating in collaborative events such as joint research projects, or journal clubs and other similar activities, as required by the line manager.
8. Present work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops so as to develop and enhance our research profile.
9. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with School/College/University regulations as well as desired career trajectory.
10. Contribute to the overall activities of the research team and department, including provision of a limited amount of undergraduate teaching (lectures and seminars), and administrative tasks as required by the line manager.
11. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the line manager/Centre head/Head of School.
12. Actively follow University of Glasgow policies including Fire and Health & Safety Regulations as well as Equal Opportunities and Race Equality policies.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential:
A1 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.
A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism
A3 Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniques
A4 Knowledge of the relevant legislation pertaining to animal experiments
Skills
Essential:
C1 Single-neuron electrophysiological recording in awake, behaving rodents
C2 Data analysis using relevant software including cluster-cutting (e.g., Klustakwik, Tint etc) and analytic software (e.g., Matlab, Python, R etc)
C3 Paper-writing, submission and revision
Experience
Essential:
E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience (including experiments, data analysis and write-up), appropriate to an early career researcher and revealing ability to work independently
E2 Delivery of quality outputs (posters, papers etc) in a timely and efficient manner
E3 Contribution to local research community via activities such as journal club presentation, supervision of student projects, organisation of seminars etc
Informal Enquiries should be directed to Professor Kate Jeffery, Kate.Jeffery@glasgow.ac.uk
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.
This post is full time, and has funding up to 26 May 2028
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 : 5 May 2026 @23:45