We are seeking to appoint an experienced Research Associate to make a leading contribution to a project MAINSTREAM: EPSRC research and partnership hub for health technologies in Manufacturing Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine, Immunotherapy and Cancer with Dr Catherine Berry.

The grant brings together the Universities of Glasgow, Strathclyde and Nottingham to work on potential therapies using adult stem cells to help tissue regeneration to repair broken bones and in chemotherapy, where they can help to regenerate healthy bone marrow.

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.

We are looking for an interdisciplinary scientist, specifically with skills in adult mesenchymal stromal (stem) cell culture, organoid models, biomaterials, hydrogels, bone regeneration, microscopy, mechanotransduction and a multidisciplinary work ethic. The successful candidate needs to be motivated in a team.

The successful candidate will be based in Glasgow’s flagship Advanced Research Centre with access to new laboratories, cutting edge microscopy eg confocal and Brillouin), cytometry, metabolomics and other techniques to analyse stem cell fate.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Catherine Berry, Catherine.Berry@glasgow.ac.uk

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

2. Document research output including 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 journals, 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 & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

5. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6. Take a leading role in 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. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).

8. Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.

9. Take the lead in 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.

10. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

11. Make a leading contribution to Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

12. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

13. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

14. Undertake any other reasonable duties as require by the head of school/director of research institute

15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential:

A1. Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) with at least 2 years post-doctoral experience in a similar or related role(s) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

A2. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism of cell and tissue engineering, especially bone regeneration.

A3. Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniques.

A4. Practical knowledge of cell culture (mesenchymal stromal cells and / or cancer cells) with biomaterials (especially hydrogels and polymeric scaffolds).

A5. Practical knowledge of extracellular vesicle techniques, including isolation and characterisation.

A6. Practical knowledge of PCR, western analysis, flow cytometry and / or omics and bioinformatics.

Skills

Essential:

C1. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

C2. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

C3. 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.

C4. Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication

C5. Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage

Experience

Essential:

E1. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a field related to cell and tissue engineering, appropriate to an early career researcher.

E2. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E3. Experience in undertaking independent research

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Catherine Berry, Catherine.Berry@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,247 - £45,163 per annum.

This post is full-time and fixed term for up to 24 months.

Closing date: 25 February 2025 at 23:45

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

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.