Research Associate

COLLEGE OF MEDICAL VETERINARY & LIFE SCIENCES SCHOOL OF INFECTION AND IMMUNITY 

Grade 7

We are seeking to recruit an experienced Research Associate/postdoctoral researcher to work within an Wellcome Trust-funded project on mitochondrial and RNA biology in parasites with the lab of Prof. Lilach Sheiner at the University of Glasgow https://lilachsheiner.wixsite.com/sheinerlab-wtcmp

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to carry out cutting-edge research to understand the mitochondrial biology and function in the apicomplexan parasites Plasmodium falciparum, the major cause of malaria mortality, and Toxoplasma gondii, the cause of toxoplasmosis and a leading model organism for the phylum. The core approaches will be to carry out parasite culturing, genetic manipulation and cell biology assays.

Your primary focus will be on carrying out outstanding academic research leading to impactful publications, providing substantial scope for innovation, creativity and scientific judgement. You will work as part of a highly collaborative and dynamic team, so collaboration, communication and collegiality are key attributes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Routinely culture Plasmodium and/or Toxoplasma parasites

2. Routinely carry out genetic manipulations and cell biology analyses 3. Provide support and guidance for other members of the team, including graduate students and research assistants, as required

4. Contribute to the lab working environment, contributing in a collegial and active manner to matters of organisation and health and safety 5. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the University of Glasgow including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

6. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project and subject area, and implement a suitable research strategy.

7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the organisations and wider parasitology and cell biology communities.

8. Take a leading role in group meetings and organisation research activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the organisation.

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

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

13. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Director of Research. 14. Contribute to the enhancement of both Universities international profile

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential / desirable criteria.

Knowledge & Qualifications

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.

A2. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge related to the field of research.

Desirable:

B1. Basic working knowledge of linux/shell

Skills

Essential:

C1. Excellent skills of sterile cell culturing evidenced through publication

C2. Ability to deliver high-quality scientific outputs, as evidenced through publication record.

C3. Excellent organizational, communication and record-keeping skills

C4. Ability to demonstrate initiative for achieving progress on the research project and driving it towards completion in an independent way.

Desirable:

D1. Skills in multiple biochemical and cell-biology techniques (e.g. cell fractionation, immunoprecipitation, western blotting, growth assays, enzyme activity assays).

Experience

Essential:

E1. Experience in culturing Plasmodium parasites and general tissue culture techniques as evidenced through publication.

E2. Experience with protein purification techniques and/or cell biology assays

E3. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E4. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities 

E5. Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design and analysis of experiments and drafting of papers

Desirable:

F1. Experience in undertaking independent research

Further Information

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Sheiner via email lilach.sheiner@glasgow.ac.uk

​

Terms and Conditions

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

This post is full-time and has funding until 31 December 2026.

Closing Date:  26 March 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.

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.