Research Assistant

Posted 25 March 2026 Salary Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum Location Glasgow Job Type Research and Teaching Reference 195395 Expiry 07 Apr 2026 23:45

Job description

Job Purpose

We have a fully funded Research Assistant position available in the laboratory of Dr. Andrew Davidson as part of a recently awarded Wellcome CDA.

You will contribute to projects on understanding how cell death contributes to tumourigenesis using Drosophila combined with live-imaging and RNA transcriptomics. As part of this project, the candidate will be working on:

1: Labelling and live-imaging tumourigenesis within the optically translucent Drosophila pupa.

2: Establishing RNA sequencing protocols for implementation with a Drosophila tumour models (bulk, single-nucleus sequencing, spatial transcriptomics).

3: Creating bespoke analytical pipelines for analysis of Drosophila spatial transcriptomics data.

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 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. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including contributing to 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. 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/group meetings/seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/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 duties of equivalent standing as assigned 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’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

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

A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge in the following:

-Drosophilamelanogaster and its genetics

-Fluorescence-based confocal microscopy

-Insect transcriptomics

A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism

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

Skills

Essential:

C1 Significant practical laboratory training in Drosophila genetics e.g. as part of PhD study or other equivalent experience.

C2 Experience preparing Drosophila for in vivo, timelapse, imaging.

C3 Knowledge and experience of conducting transcriptomics in Drosophila including downstream analytical pipelines

C4 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C5 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.

C6 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

C7 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.

C8 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

C9 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.

C10 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher.

E2 Project or subject specific experience.

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.

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

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) with funding available for up to 36 months.

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: ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fskilled-worker-visa&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fskilled-worker-visa&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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 ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gla.ac.uk%2Fmyglasgow%2Fpayandpensions%2Fpensions%2F&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gla.ac.uk%2Fmyglasgow%2Fpayandpensions%2Fpensions%2F&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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 ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gla.ac.uk%2Fmyglasgow%2Fstaff%2Fhealthwellbeing%2F&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gla.ac.uk%2Fmyglasgow%2Fstaff%2Fhealthwellbeing%2F&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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 ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gla.ac.uk%2Fmyglasgow%2Fhumanresources%2Fequalitydiversity%2F&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gla.ac.uk%2Fmyglasgow%2Fhumanresources%2Fequalitydiversity%2F&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.gla.ac.uk/­myglasgow/­humanresources/­equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gla.ac.uk%2Fmyglasgow%2Fhumanresources%2Fequalitydiversity%2Fathenaswan%2F&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gla.ac.uk%2Fmyglasgow%2Fhumanresources%2Fequalitydiversity%2Fathenaswan%2F&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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 ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gla.ac.uk%2Fexplore%2Fjobs%2F&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gla.ac.uk%2Fexplore%2Fjobs%2F&module=jobs&id=3224314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.gla.ac.uk/­explore/jobs/ for more information.

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