Research Associate
- Posted 07 April 2026
- Salary Grade 7 £41,064-£46,049 per annum
- LocationGlasgow
- Job Type Research and Teaching
- Reference196196
- Expiry 06 May 2026 23:45
Job description
Job Purpose
To make a leading contribution to discovery and translational research exploring the role of creatine and homoarginine in cardiovascular health and disease. The post is laboratory based and funded by a British Heart Foundation programme grant awarded to Dr Craig Lygate. The post holder will have a PhD in a relevant discipline with extensive hands-on experience of standard biochemistry and molecular biology techniques, e.g. protein quantification, RT-PCR, molecular cloning and cell transfection. They will have the experience and depth of knowledge to develop new assays, troubleshoot when there are problems, and help supervise the work of others in the group. The post holder will contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and proposals.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal Investigator:
1. Plan and conduct research as outlined in the BHF programme grant and according to group and School research strategy.
2. Document research outputs including analysis and interpretation of data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical reports and papers as appropriate.
3. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of the School and University, including establishing and sustaining a history of independent and joint publications in high quality international peer-reviewed journals.
4. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, webinars, colloquia, and workshops.
5. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field (i.e. cardiac energetics, homoarginine metabolism, and myocardial biology).
6. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the University and academic community.
8. Take a leading role in team meetings and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs, and culture of the school.
9. Take a leading role in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
10. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including grant budgeting and writing/reviewing SOPs, risk assessments and Health & Safety documentation.
11. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
12. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Principal Investigator or Head of School.
13. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
A1. Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in biochemistry, biomedical sciences, pharmacology or equivalent 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. Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of the following: protein biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology
Desirable:
B1. An up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area of cardiovascular science
B2. A UK Home Office Personal Licence (or equivalent training)
Skills
Essential:
C1. Extensive practical skills in biochemistry and molecular biology techniques (e.g. protein & gene expression analysis, mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, and the generation of transfected cell lines)
C2. Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely
C3. Research creativity with the ability to develop key research collaborations
C4. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach
C5. Excellent organisational and time management skills
C6. High level data analysis, statistical, and interpretation skills
C7. Excellent problem-solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach
C8. Clear ability to self-motivate and use initiative, working effectively as an individual
C9. Excellent attention to detail and ability to work methodically
Desirable:
D1. Practical skills in HPLC
D2. Practical skills in the study of protein post-translational modifications
D3. Analysis of metabolomic and proteomic datasets
Experience
Essential:
E1. Relevant research experience commensurate with an early career researcher
E2. A track record of presentation of research results at conferences
E3. Experience of scientific writing with a track record of first-author publications in quality journals
E4. Contribution to researcher development, for example through the supervision of master’s and PhD students.
E5. Contribution to the local research community via activities such as journal club
presentation, committee membership etc.
Informal Enquiries should be directed to Dr Craig Lygate, Craig.Lygate@glasgow.ac.uk
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £44,746 per annum.
Please note due to the available funding for this project we will be able to appoint the successful candidate for only up to SP35 £44,746.
This post is full time (35 hours per week) and has funding for up to 10 May 2031
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: 6 May 2026at 23:45