Research Assistant/Associate

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job summary

University of Glasgow invites applications for a Research Assistant or Research Associate to join the Centre for Translational Pharmacology. The role focuses on muscarinic acetylcholine receptor signalling across brain regions, with potential implications for schizophrenia and dementia.

It blends molecular pharmacology, cell biology and in vivo neuroscience in ARC labs. The post requires independent work, collaboration, and contributions to high-quality publications, grant proposals and

Qualifications

• Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Specialist knowledge of GPCR biology or signalling transduction biology.
• Awareness of current literature and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct assigned research individually or with team.
• Conduct neuroanatomy studies and molecular biology experiments.
• Perform in vivo mouse disease models including behavioural experiments.
• Conduct ex vivo tissue analysis.
• Carry out in vitro pharmacological assays to characterise ligands.
• Document outputs and maintain records and publications.

Skills

MS Office

Data management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Honours degree (SCQF Level 10)

MSc or PhD in subject

Tools

Immunohistochemistry

Microscopy

Mouse models

Job description

Research Assistant or Research Associate

COLLEGE OF Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences

SCHOOL OF Molecular Biosciences

GRADE 6 or GRADE 7 – with appointment depending on experience

Job Purpose

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Researcher to join a multi-disciplinary team focused on advancing our understanding of neurological processes such as learning, memory, locomotion and anxiety under the regulation of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) family. This research, funded by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), aims to test the hypothesis that mAChRs employ different signalling modalities in distinct brain regions/circuits to deliver specific neurological responses in a manner that can be exploited pharmacologically. This research has the potential to inform the rational design of next-generation treatments for complex diseases such as schizophrenia and dementia.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of molecular pharmacology, cell biology, and in vivo neuroscience/physiology. The successful candidate will be responsible for determining region-specific signalling modes that underlie neurophysiological responses including memory and leraning.

The candidate will join Professor Andrew Tobin’s research group at the Centre for Translational Pharmacology based in state-of-the-art laboratories located in the newly built Advanced Research Centre (ARC) in the heart of the University of Glasgow campus

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• 1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or in concert with the wider research team.
• 2. Conduct neuroanatomy studies and molecular biology-based experiments to understand the biological functions of muscarinic receptor signalling.
• 3. Conduct in vivo mouse disease models including behavioural experiments
• 4. Conduct ex vivo analysis of tissue.
• 5. Conduct in vitro pharmacological assays to characterise muscarinic ligands
• 6. Document research outputs including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
• 7. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint 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.
• 8. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
• 9. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
• 10. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

For appointment at Grade 7:

• 11. Take a leading role in the direction of all daily research activities related to the project and coordinate activities across the team.
• 12. Take a leading role in 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.
• 13. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the School/College/University and wider community (e.g. academic and industrial partners).
• 14. Take a leading role in group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
• 15. Take the lead in 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.
• 16. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Principal Investigator.
• 17. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together

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 of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) biology, or signalling transduction biology and mouse models of brain disease.
• A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism.

Desirable

• B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) MSc or PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

For appointment at Grade 7, the following Qualification criteria should also be met:

• A4 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
• A5 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) biology or signalling transduction biology.
• A6 Knowledge of project-specific equipment, techniques and technical models (including mouse models of brain disease),

Skills

Essential:

• C1 Excellent computing skills in MS Office suite software
• C2 Data management skills; including diligence in documenting work and adherence to data integrity requirements
• C3 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

For appointment at Grade 7, the following Skills criteria should also be met:

• C4 Ability to challenge theory and test hypothesis and interrogate all data/ information provided in accordance with best practice.
• C5 Excellent oral and written communication skills, evidenced by a developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the research group and School’s international profile.
• C6 Ability to communicate at all levels in a professional and personable manner and co-operate with people across disciplines.

Experience

Essential:

• E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher
• E2 Practical experience in immunohistochemistry and tissue sectioning techniques, microscopy and analysis of images
• E3 Experience of invivo murine disease models, particularly behavioural measurements
• E4 Experience of ex vivo assays; including mouse tissue disease models and primary cell culture
• E5 Experience of in vitro pharmacological assays
• E6 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
• E7 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting ofpapers.
• E8 Confidence and experience in presenting data internally and externally
• E9 Experience in using data analysis software packages and databases
• E10 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources, and practices that support replication.

For appointment at Grade 7, the following Experience criteria should also be met:

Essential:

• E11 Experience of making distinct contributions to identifying and pursuing research funding (or equivalent business development) applications.
• E12 Experience of making a leading contribution to academic activities, applying initiative and independent judgement.
• E13 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage, including experience of research project supervision.

Desirable:

• F1 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit the economy and/or wider society.

For enquiries regarding this post please contact Professor Andrew Tobin, [e-mail]

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade6/7, £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding available for up to/until 30 September 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.

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://www.gla.ac.uk/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://www.gla.ac.uk/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://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

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.

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