College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences
School of Biodiversity One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Research Assistant
Vacancy Ref: 183594
Salary: Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum
We have an exciting research opportunity for a Research Assistant to contribute to a project characterizing the immune responses of divergent Anopheles mosquitoes to Plasmodium falciparum working with Dr Virginia Howick. 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.
Candidates should have specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of Malaria Transmission Biology, Transcriptomics, RNAi in Anopheles, Insect Immunity; and experience in culturing Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes and rearing Anopheles mosquitoes for infectious feeds using the standard membrane feeding assay.
Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Virginia Howick, Virginia.Howick@glasgow.ac.uk
Job Purpose
You will contribute to a project characterizing the immune responses of divergent Anopheles mosquitoes to Plasmodium falciparum working with Dr Virginia Howick. 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:
* Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
* Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.
* 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.
* Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.
* 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.
* Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
* Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
* Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.
* 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
Essential
* A1 SCQF Level 10 [Honours degree] in Biology or a cognate discipline, or equivalent
* A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of Malaria Transmission Biology, Transcriptomics, RNAi in Anopheles, Insect Immunity
* A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism
* C1 Project or subject specific skills
* C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate
* C3 Excellent communication skills [oral and written], including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely
* C4 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach
* C5 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills
* C6 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate
* C7 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working
* C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach
* E1 Experience in culturing Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes and rearing Anopheles mosquitoes for infectious feeds using the standard membrane feeding assay
* E2 Experience analysing large scale genomic or transcriptomic datasets
* 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
Desirable
* B1 An awarded [or recently submitted or near completion] PhD in Biology, Parasitology, Genomics, Entomology or equivalent
* F1 Experience performing RNAi in Anopheles
* F2 Experience rearing non-model Anopheles species in the lab
Additional Information
Our School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our Athena Swan Silver award demonstrates our commitment to best practice in recruiting and supporting the career development and progression of female scientists, addressing gender inequalities in higher education.
The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) has 8 Schools that bring staff together around thematic strengths, across the strategic pillars of education, research and innovation.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum. This post is full time (35 hours per week), and open ended with funding available up to 30th June 2026.
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.
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