Research Assistant

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leave entitlement 41 days

Pension

Flexible working

Health & wellbeing

Equality & diversity

Athena Swan

Job information site

Job summary

University of Glasgow invites applications for a research role within the BIOPIC-Kids study, focusing on comparing a proprietary liquid diet with habitual intake in children with active Crohn’s disease treated with TNFα antagonists. You will work with clinical collaborators and a laboratory team to produce high-quality publications and proposals.

The role includes supervision, teaching activities, and involvement in budget/expenditure tasks, with a view to developing a strong research profile

Qualifications

• Essential: A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject or cognate discipline.
• Essential: A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge in life sciences, nutrition, biology, biomedical sciences equipment, or techniques.
• Essential: A3 Up-to-date knowledge of wider subject area or specialism.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct research in line with project deliverables and strategy.
• Document research output, analyze data and draft reports/papers.
• Contribute to publications and funding proposals to enhance research impact.

Skills

Nutrition knowledge

Research collaboration

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Workload management

Data analysis

Self-motivation

Problem solving

Education

Honours degree in a life sciences-related subject

PhD (Desirable)

Job description

Job Purpose

To contribute to the project Combining Enteral Nutrition With Biologics To Optimise Induction And Maintenance Therapy For Children With Active Crohn’S Disease-The Biopic-Kids Study”. The aim of the BIOPIC study is to investigate if replacement of habitual food intake with a proprietary liquid diet for 6 weeks will improve disease activity markers at 12 weeks in children with active CD treated with TNFα antagonists as their standard treatment of care. The project is funded by the Chief Scientist Office, Nestle Health Science and the University of Glasgow.

More information about the study can be found here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07522528

The postholder will work with Professor Konstantinos Gerasimidis’ clinical collaborators and laboratory-based research team. 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

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 strategy.

Knowledge Qualifications, Skills & 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 life sciences, nutrition, biology, biomedical sciences equipment, or techniques.
• A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism

Desirable

• B1 An awarded PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

Skills

Essential

• C1 Knowledge of nutrition or microbiology, biology methodology or biomedical sciences, equipment or techniques
• 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

Experience

Essential

• E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher
• E2 Experience in microbiology, molecular biology and biomedical science techniques, nutritional sciences, or food analysis.
• 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

• F1 An emerging national or international reputation
• F2 Experience in clinical research with healthy volunteers or people with illness

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Konstantinos Gerasimidis, [e-mail]

Terms and Conditions

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

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding for up to until 31 January 2029.

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.

Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG)

The University of Glasgow is committed to safeguarding children and protected adults by ensuring that individuals in regulated roles are appropriately vetted and monitored.

The University of Glasgow’sPVG policyaligns with the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 and reflects the legal requirements effective from 1 April 2025, including the mandatory PVG Scheme membership for regulated roles.

The post for which you are applying is considered to be a regulated role under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. Under the Act, individuals working in a regulated role must be a PVG Scheme member before employment. If you are successful in your application, the offer of employment will be conditional subject to a satisfactory PVG Scheme record check. We will be in touch regarding requirements related to this.

Further information is available at :https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1. 1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2. 2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3. 3 A flexible approach to working.
4. 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://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
5. 5 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://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
6. 6 We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
7. 7 We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date: 21 September 2026 at 23:45