Research Assistant/Associate

Job Purpose

You will make a leading contribution to a 5-year BBSRC-funded project, “A radical cost to warming: Does mitochondrial efficiency regulate the production of oxygen radicals and ageing in a warming world?”, led by Dr Neal Dawson at the University of Glasgow. The project investigates how mitochondrial energy-production efficiency, reactive oxygen species (ROS), growth, survival and ageing interact in fish exposed to warming temperatures.

The successful candidate will develop and lead experimental research within the project, with particular responsibility for genetic and genomic analyses, mitochondrial physiology, and associated molecular and whole-animal measurements. A key component of the role will be to establish and maintain multigenerational zebrafish selection lines and to investigate the genetic basis and heritability of variation in mitochondrial efficiency, growth and thermal resilience. The postholder will contribute to the integration of physiological and genomic data to identify genetic markers associated with climate resilience. They will contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals, collaborate with project partners and facilities, and help manage and develop the research programme as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities with a high degree of independence and in conjunction with the Principal Investigator and project collaborators:

1. Plan and conduct research investigating the links between mitochondrial efficiency, temperature, ROS production, growth, survival and ageing in fish, in accordance with project objectives, milestones and research strategy.
2. Design, optimise and conduct experimental studies using zebrafish, including controlled temperature acclimation, fish handling, phenotypic selection and breeding experiments.
3. Establish and maintain replicate selection lines across multiple generations, collect phenotypic and genetic data, and analyse and interpret variation in mitochondrial efficiency, growth and thermal performance.
4. Contribute to molecular, genetic, genomic, cellular and imaging approaches, including DNA and RNA extraction, genotyping, long-read RNA sequencing and other genomic analyses, telomere analysis, mitochondrial ultrastructure/imaging and relevant molecular assays. Integrate genomic data with physiological and phenotypic measurements to identify genetic variation associated with mitochondrial efficiency, growth, ageing and thermal resilience.
5. Contribute to complementary molecular, cellular and imaging approaches, which may include Western blotting, enzyme activity and antioxidant metabolite assays, telomere analysis, mitochondrial ultrastructure/imaging and long-read RNA sequencing/genomic analyses, working with relevant specialist facilities and collaborators.
6. Lead or contribute substantially to multigenerational selection experiments designed to test the heritability and genetic basis of mitochondrial efficiency and growth rate. This will involve maintaining replicate zebrafish lines, applying phenotypic selection across generations, collecting samples for genetic and genomic analysis, and evaluating responses to selection.
7. Develop and apply genetic and genomic approaches to identify candidate genes, genomic regions or molecular markers associated with variation in mitochondrial efficiency, thermal performance, growth and ageing, and integrate these findings with physiological measurements to test whether genetic variation can predict climate resilience.
8. Contribute to the supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students, research technicians and less experienced members of the project team, as appropriate.
9. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in research group meetings, seminars, workshops and activities across the School, College, University and wider research community.
10. Present research findings at national and international conferences, seminars and workshops, and contribute to appropriate public engagement and knowledge‑exchange activities.
11. Contribute to the identification of future funding opportunities and development of research proposals arising from the project.
12. Manage research resources appropriately, including project‑specific consumables, equipment and experimental scheduling, and contribute to relevant administrative tasks.
13. Keep up to date with current developments in mitochondrial physiology, thermal biology, fish biology, ageing and related fields, and engage in continuing professional development.

For appointment at grade 7

Perform the above duties with a high degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to experimental planning, data analysis, publication, collaboration and mentoring.

1. Perform the above duties with a high degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to experimental planning, data analysis, publication, collaboration and mentoring.
2. Establish and sustain a track record of independent and collaborative research outputs and develop an expert reputation in quantitative genomics, mitochondrial physiology, thermal biology or a closely related field.
3. Survey the research literature and wider research environment, identify emerging research challenges and opportunities, and develop and implement appropriate research strategies.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and 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 mitochondrial physiology, cellular metabolism, thermal biology, genetics/genomics, fish physiology, or a closely related discipline.
• A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism, including relevant experimental, genetic/genomic and quantitative approaches.

For appointment at grade 7:

• 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.

Desirable:

• B1 Experience of working with fish, particularly zebrafish, or experience with controlled temperature experiments and/or animal-based physiological research.
• B2 Experience with fish rearing and creating breeding lines using zebrafish or other fish species.
• B3 Experience with genetic or genomic approaches, such as genotyping, population/genetic variation analyses, transcriptomics, genome sequencing, genetic mapping or integration of genomic and phenotypic datasets.
• B4 Experience of experimental breeding, artificial selection or multigenerational studies in fish or other model organisms.

Skills

Essential

• C1 Specialist research skills relevant to mitochondrial physiology, genetics/genomics, respirometry, metabolic physiology, ROS/oxidative stress, molecular biology or related experimental disciplines.
• C2 Research creativity and the ability to work across disciplines, including effective collaboration with researchers using physiological, genetic/genomic, molecular, imaging and quantitative approaches.
• 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 Strong IT, quantitative and data-analysis skills, including experience with statistical analysis and interpretation of complex physiological, phenotypic and genetic/genomic datasets.
• C7 Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working
• C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

For appointment at grade 7:

• C9 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions in mitochondrial biology, thermal physiology, climate‑change biology, ageing or a related field.
• C10 Knowledge and practical experience of relevant technical approaches, ideally including high-resolution respirometry, mitochondrial assays, ROS measurement, molecular biology, genetic/genomic analysis, fish husbandry or related techniques.
• C11 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher

Experience

Essential:

• E1 Sufficient relevant research experience appropriate to an early career researcher, normally including postdoctoral research experience.
• E2 Experience relevant to the project, such as mitochondrial physiology, metabolic physiology, genetics/genomics, fish biology, thermal biology, oxidative stress, ageing or a related area.
• E3 Experience of scientific writing and preparing research findings for publication.
• E4 Proven ability to deliver high-quality research outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
• E5 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.

For appointment at grade 7:

• E6 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals and conferences.
• E7 Experience of making a leading contribution to research activities and collaborative projects.
• E8 Ability to demonstrate research independence through assessment of literature, experimental design, genetic/genomic and physiological data analysis, interpretation and drafting of scientific papers.
• E9 Experience of undertaking independent research and developing research objectives.

Desirable :

• F1 An emerging national or international reputation in a relevant research field.

Additional Information

Our School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The Athena Swan Silver award demonstrates our commitment to best practice in recruiting and supporting the career development and progression of female scientists, addressing gender inequalities in higher education. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/athenaswan/

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) brings staff together across eight Schools around thematic strengths spanning education, research and innovation. The post will be based within the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine and will provide access to specialist facilities for fish husbandry, mitochondrial physiology, electron microscopy and genomics. More information on the College can be accessed here: MVLS College Futures 2033

For enquiries regarding this post please contact Dr Neal Dawson, Neal.Dawson@glasgow.ac.uk

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 until 31 December 2032.

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 – pension 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: 29 October 2026 at 23:45

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