Job details: 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 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. The Candidate will work on: labelling and live‑imaging tumourigenesis within the optically translucent Drosophila pupa; establishing RNA sequencing protocols for implementation with Drosophila tumour models (bulk, single‑nucleus sequencing, spatial transcriptomics); 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 and help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
* Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and the research strategy of the project, group, school, or college.
* Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintain records and databases, draft technical and progress reports and papers as appropriate.
* Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of the University and research group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high‑profile refereed journals.
* Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops.
* Identify potential funding sources and help develop proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies.
* Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team and group meetings, seminars and workshops across the research group, school, college, university and wider community.
* Supervise, mentor and train undergraduate and postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team.
* Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and school, including budgets and expenditure.
* Carry out modest teaching activities and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with the Principal Investigator.
* Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field and engage in continuing professional development activities.
* Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School or Director of Research Institute.
* Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan.
Knowledge, Qualifications and Skills
* 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 areas:
o Drosophila melanogaster and its genetics
o Fluorescence‑based confocal microscopy
o Insect transcriptomics
* A3 – 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.
* Essential Skills:
o C1 – Significant practical laboratory training in Drosophila genetics.
o C2 – Experience preparing Drosophila for in‑vivo, time‑lapse imaging.
o C3 – Knowledge and experience of conducting transcriptomics in Drosophila, including downstream analytical pipelines.
o C4 – Research creativity and cross‑disciplinary collaborative ability.
o C5 – Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
o C6 – Excellent interpersonal skills and team working.
o C7 – Appropriate workload, time, project, budget and people management skills.
o C8 – Extensive IT and data analysis and interpretation skills.
o C9 – Self‑motivation, initiative and independent working.
o C10 – Problem‑solving skills with a flexible and pragmatic approach.
* Essential Experience:
o E1 – Sufficient relevant research experience and a strong early‑career research background.
o E2 – Project or subject‑specific experience.
o E3 – Experience of scientific writing.
o E4 – Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
o E5 – Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.
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.
We have a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If a Skilled Worker visa is required, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship. This post may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used. For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As a valued member of our team, you can expect a warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, flexible approach to working, excellent employment package and strong support for health and wellbeing including a free 6‑month UofG Sport membership. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and especially people from BAME and other protected characteristics who are under‑represented within the University. We endorse Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
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.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. For more information please visit https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/
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