Job Purpose
We are seeking a motivated Research Associate/Assistant to join the Plasticity Lab, led by Dr Cassandra Sampaio‑Baptista, to support a Wellcome Trust‑funded project. The post holder will play a key role in leading a research programme investigating how ageing and brain activity influence oligodendrocyte dynamics and behaviour and whether myelin‑targeted interventions can enhance cognitive‑motor function in ageing and related disorders. We welcome applicants with a background in cellular neuroscience or similar and a strong interest in brain plasticity, myelin and/or ageing.
Key Information
• Full‑time, 3‑year fixed‑term contract
• Salary Grade 6/7: £33,951 – £37,694 / £41,064 – £46,049 per annum
• Minimum of 10 CPD days annually
Main Duties And Responsibilities
* Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables.
* Document research output, including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintain records and databases, draft technical/progress reports and papers.
* Develop and enhance your research profile, contributing to publications of international quality and enhancing the research impact of the University of Glasgow.
* Present work at international and national conferences, internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops.
* Identify potential funding sources and assist in developing proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies.
* Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group meetings, seminars, workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.
* Organise, supervise and mentor undergraduate and postgraduate students and less experienced team members.
* Perform administrative tasks related to the research group and School, including budgets and expenditure.
* 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 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.
For Appointment At Grade 7
* Perform duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.
* Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.
* Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills And Experience
Knowledge and Qualifications
* Essential
• SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in neuroscience or a related field or equivalent.
• Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge in cellular neuroscience or similar.
• Comprehensive and up‑to‑date knowledge of the wider subject area or specialism.
* Desirable
• Knowledge of rodent behavioural assessments and analysis.
• Knowledge of immunohistochemistry and microscopy.
For Appointment At Grade 7
* A4 Normally SCQF level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level with the requisite experience.
Skills
* Essential
• Excellent technical skills for the conduct and subsequent analysis of mouse behavioural and histological analysis.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.
• Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.
• Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.
• Self‑motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.
• Problem‑solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.
* Desirable
• Commitment to open research (open data, open code, open educational resources, and practices that support replication).
Experience
* Essential
• Experience in handling rodents and behavioural tasks/assessments.
• Experience including immunohistochemistry and/or microscopy (e.g., confocal microscopy).
• Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in high‑quality peer‑reviewed journals or preprints.
* For Appointment At Grade 7
• Comprehensive and up‑to‑date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the relevant research disciplines.
• Well‑developed working knowledge of research methods, technical models, equipment and techniques relevant to the project.
• Ability to communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature and to be effective both orally and in writing at an appropriate level.
• Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.
• Developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the School’s research profile in accordance with School objectives.
• Experience of making distinct contributions to identifying and pursuing research funding (or equivalent business development) applications.
• Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage, including some experience of research project supervision.
• Effective organisation skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities.
• Commitment to open research (open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication).
* Desirable
• Experience with acquisition and analysis of preclinical (rodent) MRI data or electrophysiology data or other methods measuring brain activity in animal models (e.g., calcium imaging, PET).
• Experience in managing (transgenic) mouse colonies.
• Experience in supervising or co‑supervising undergraduate, MSc students or PhD students.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,951 – £37,694 / £41,064 – £46,049 per annum. This post is full‑time, fixed‑term for up to 3 years from start date. 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. The post may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect: A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture; an excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full‑time staff, pensions and benefits; a flexible approach to working; a commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6‑month UofG Sport membership for all new staff; and a focus on equality, diversity, inclusion and the principles of Athena Swan.
Closing date: 24 October 2025 at 23:45.
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