Research Assistant

COLLEGE OF MVLS

SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING

GRADE 6

Job Purpose

You will contribute to a project, The role of socioeconomic deprivation in future cancer and advanced adenoma risk after bowel screening colonoscopy - biology, healthcare systems and the patient working with Professor Katie Robb and Dr Stephen McSorley. This is an exciting opportunity to join an innovative and multidisciplinary team focused on improving bowel cancer outcomes.  The successful applicant will work closely with Professor Robb and Dr McSorley to understand and improve bowel surveillance participation in patients from areas of higher socioeconomic deprivation. The research is funded by Bowel Cancer UK.

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 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, including contributing to publications of international quality in high quality refereed publications, enhancing the research impact in terms of 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 meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research 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 reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

13.  Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University Strategy.

Knowledge/Qualifications

A1.  SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent

Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of subject area.

A2.  A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism

A3.  Knowledge of patient factors in bowel screening and colonoscopy

Desirable

B1.  An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

Skills

Essential:

C1.  Able to use R programming language for statistical analysis

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

Experience

Essential:

E1.  Experience in analysing RNAseq data using, for example, DeSeq

E2.  Experience in analysing clinical and pathological data within human cancer datasets

E3.  Experience in working with participants from diverse backgrounds

E4. Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher

E5.  Project or subject specific experience

E6.  Experience of scientific writing

E7.  Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E8. Evidence of an emerging track record of high-quality research publications in a relevant field

Desirable

F1.  Previous engagement with bowel cancer patients, clinicians and other bowel cancer, screening or surveillance stakeholders

F2.  Previous multi-partner working in relation to bowel surveillance, screening or cancer

F3.  Experience in analysing mutational data from gene panels in human tissue using, for example, MAFtools or Annovar

For informal enquiries regarding this post please contact Professor Katie Robb Katie.Robb@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,232 - £36,924 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 2 years.

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.

​

Closing Date: 12 March 2025at 23:45