Research Associate

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

41 days leave for full-time staff

Relocation assistance

Job summary

University of Glasgow invites applications for a research fellow to work on Moduli spaces in low dimensions with Rachael Boyd. Based in Glasgow, you will contribute to algebraic topology and related areas, with no teaching requirements, and travel support.

The post is funded by an ERC Starting grant, offers generous leave and relocation assistance, and requires PhD-level qualifications with a track record in independent research and publication.

Qualifications

• PhD normally required or equivalent professional experience.
• Knowledge of current issues and directions in topology.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and conduct of research per project deliverables.
• Document research outputs and maintain data records and progress reports.
• Establish and sustain a strong research profile with international publications.
• Survey literature and develop strategies to meet project requirements.
• Present work at conferences and seminars to enhance research impact.
• Identify funding opportunities and assist in proposals.
• Lead collaborations with colleagues and external partners.
• Lead team meetings and group activities to share knowledge.
• Supervise and train undergraduate/postgraduate students.
• Perform administrative tasks for the research group and School.
• Stay up to date with advances in the field.
• Engage in professional development and career planning.
• Undertake other duties as required by the line manager.

Skills

Research planning

Scientific writing

Oral communication

Time management

Collaborative work

Education

PhD or equivalent

Advanced research degree in topology or related area

Job description

Job Purpose

To make a significant contribution to the project “Moduli spaces in low dimensions” working with Rachael Boyd at the University of Glasgow. This project is funded by an ERC Starting grant, and is centred on applying techniques from algebraic topology to study moduli spaces of 3- and 4-manifolds, and embedding spaces of links. It builds on work of Boyd and collaborators, which is available at https://www.maths.gla.ac.uk/~rboyd/.

Applicants are therefore expected to have research experience in algebraic topology or low dimensional topology. Expertise in manifolds, knot theory, operads, or diffeomorphism groups is desirable.

The successful applicant will be based in Glasgow, where we have a large and vibrant topology group.

There are no teaching requirements, although teaching opportunities at Glasgow are available. The position has a generous travel allowance.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• 1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of 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. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the University of Glasgow/School/Research Group/area, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
• 4. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy to deliver project/area requirements and opportunities.
• 5. Present work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research and/or impact profile.
• 6. 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 and impact.
• 7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/area/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. academic and industrial partners).
• 8. Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group/area activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
• 9. 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.
• 10. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including budgets/expenditure.
• 11. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
• 12. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
• 13. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager and the Head of School.
• 14. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with University strategy.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

A1 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.

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions in the wider subject area or subject specialism.

Desirable:

B1 Well-developed working knowledge of project-specific research methods and techniques.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

C2 Ability to communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature and to be effective both orally and in writing at a level appropriate to the activity.

C3 Effective organisation skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities.

Desirable:

D1 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience appropriate to an early career researcher.

E2 Evidence of an emerging track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

E3 Experience in undertaking independent research.

Desirable:

E1 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.

For informal enquiries, please contact Rachael Boyd ([e-mail]).

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), and has funding available for up to 3 years. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

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.

• 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/.
• 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 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 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: 10 November 2026 at 23:45pm