Research Associate

This BBSRC funded position is for a plant cell and membrane biologist working in Karnik laboratory, researching CO2- sensing complexes impacting stomatal function and water use efficiencies. The project includes cross-disciplinary research in collaboration with Prof Mike Blatt’s laboratory and MVLS Neil Bulleid Integrated Protein Analysis Shared Research Facilities at the University of Glasgow. The candidate will take a leading role in training and driving research for the formulation and submission of research publications to advance this cutting-edge and exciting project as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Undertake planning and conduct of assigned research individually and working within the research team, in consultation with Principal Investigator, and in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

2. Document research output including observations 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 publications, 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. Contribute to generating new research data that will feed potential new research proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

7. Contribute to developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).

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

9. Contribute to organization, 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 and contribute to the general running of the laboratory in consultation with Principal Investigator.

11. Contribute to Teaching activities (e.g project supervision 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 required by the Head of School.

15. Contribute to and take a leading role in Public Engagement activities led by the laboratory.

16. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University Strategy, World Changing Glasgow 2025.

17. Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.

18. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

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) oralternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s) working with membrane biochemistry, plant cell biology and plant physiology.

A2. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area and subject specialism in Protein Biochemistry, Membrane Biology, Ion transport and Vesicle trafficking.

A3. Sufficient depth/ research experience in working with membrane trafficking, molecular biology, and sufficient knowledge of protein-protein interactions studies in vitro  and in vivo  as appropriate to an early career researcher.

Desirable: 

B1. Knowledge of membrane transport studies using electrophysiology techniques.

B2. Knowledge of working with crop models.

Skills

Essential: 

C1. Proven research skills in cell biology and membrane transport and/or vesicle trafficking relevant to the project.

C2. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism with specialist knowledge in eukaryotic protein complexes, membrane transport and proteomics technologies.

C3. Knowledge working with Arabidopsis thaliana  model plant, equipment or techniques and proven experience in plant cell biology.

C4. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher

C5. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate

C6. Excellent communication skills [oral and written], including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C7. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C8. Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills

C9. Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate for the project.

C10. Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C11. Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

C12. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher

Experience

Essential: 

E1. Sufficient relevant research experience [or equivalent] appropriate to an early career researcher

E2. Project or subject specific experience, including experience in optimization to achieve high quality protein preparations, binding assays and sample analysis.

E3. Experience of scientific writing

E4. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E5. Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field

E6. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner, including planning and execution of experimental work through discussions with the group lead.

E7. A track record of  scientific presentations and publication of research results in quality peer reviewed journals/ international conferences

E8. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E9. 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.

E10. Experience in undertaking independent research

E11. Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.

E12. Proven experience in protein biochemistry and analytical approaches to study protein complexes, relevant to the project, including but not limited affinity and ion exchange chromatography, proteomics, live cell imaging-based assays for protein-protein interactions.

E13. Experience in routine lab running, working within a large research group and training of colleagues / students.

Desirable:

F1. Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.

F2. Proven experience for working with plant models.

F3. Participation in public engagement activities is desirable

Terms and Conditions

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

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 36 months (depending on start date).

​

Closing date: 12 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.

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 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.