Closing Date: 09/10/2026
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join anexciting project investigating the health risks associated withartificial engineered stone (AES), a material increasingly linked tocases of occupational silicosis in workers.
The successful candidate will work with the group of PI Dr FionaMurphy and contribute to the development and validation ofinnovative, non-animal approaches for assessing the toxicity ofrespirable particles generated during AES processing. Workingwithin a multidisciplinary research team, you will use the Galleriamellonella (wax worm larvae) model to evaluate and comparethe hazards posed by different AES products.
The project is structured around three complementary workpackages designed to develop, apply and validate a noveltoxicity testing platform for artificial engineered stone (AES)particles. Initial milestones focuses on establishing andoptimising the Galleria mellonella model for assessing silicaparticle toxicity. This includes characterising engineered stonedusts and reference silica materials, refining exposure protocols,and determining suitable toxicity endpoints through acute andsub-chronic studies. Subsequent work will use the optimisedmodel to investigate the hazards posed by AES particles,examining survival, immune responses, tissue damage, fibrosisrelated changes, oxidative stress, and molecular signaturesidentified through proteomic and metabolomic analyses. Thesestudies will help identify biomarkers and biological pathwaysassociated with particle-induced disease and assess the extentto which responses in G. mellonella reflect known mechanismsof human lung fibrosis. The final work package focuses onvalidation, dissemination and capacity building, comparingfindings from the G. mellonella model with existing in vitro andhuman data to demonstrate its relevance for hazard assessment.The work package will also support knowledge exchangethrough scientific publications and conference presentationswhile integrating project activities into undergraduate andpostgraduate teaching.
This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience intoxicology, occupational health research, and alternative testingmodels while contributing to research with direct impact onworker safety and future health regulations.
Applicants may use tools such as AI to support their application;however, all submissions must accurately reflect their ownexperience and understanding. The University reserves the rightto verify the authenticity of application materials and may rejectapplications where concerns arise.
Initial interviews have been scheduled forweek commencing 12th October 2026.
For informal enquiries, please contactFiona Murphy, Senior Lecturer atf.murphy@strath.ac.uk
Department: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
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