Research Associate

Research Associate

COLLEGE OF MEDICAL VETERINARY & LIFE SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF INFECTION AND IMMUNITY

Research and

Grade 7

We are seeking to recruit an experienced Research Associate/postdoctoral researcher to work within an MRC-funded project on structural biology in parasites.

PLEASE NOTE: This role will be split between the School of Infection and Immunity under the supervision of Professor Lilach Sheiner https://lilachsheiner.wixsite.com/sheinerlab-wtcmp (Glasgow, UK) and HiLIFE - Helsinki Institute of Life Science under the supervision of Dr Alexander Mühleip https://www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-helsinki-institute-life-science/units/institute-biotechnology/breakthrough-discoveries/biomolecular-structure-and-function-research-program/alexander-muhleip-group (Helsinki, Finland).

The successful candidate will be contracted to spend a significant period of time (likely a year) in Glasgow under UofG terms and conditions and then contracted (up to two more years) in Helsinki at the Institute of Biotechnology under Helsinki terms and conditions.

Expected start date: 15/02/2025 (TBC)

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to carry out cutting-edge research to understand the structure and function of complexes essential for organelle biology and function in the apicomplexan parasites Plasmodium falciparum , the major cause of malaria mortality, and Toxoplasma gondii , the cause of toxoplasmosis and a leading model organism for the phylum. The first core approach will be to carry out high-volume parasite culturing and complex biochemical approaches for organelle and protein isolation.

The second and main core approach will be collection and analysis of structural data, primarily via single-particle cryoEM analysis.

Your primary focus will be on carrying out outstanding academic research leading to impactful publications, providing substantial scope for innovation, creativity and scientific judgement. You will work as part of two highly collaborative teams, and particularly closely with another team member carrying out synergistic genetic engineering and biochemical work on the same topic, so collaboration, communication and collegiality are key attributes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Routinely culture Plasmodium and/or Toxoplasma parasites and carry out biochemical isolation of fractions or proteins

2. Routinely perform data collection and structural analysis, which includes extensive analysis via relevant software packages.

3. Provide support and guidance for other members of the team, including graduate students and research assistants, as required

4. Contribute to the lab working environment, contributing in a collegial and active manner to matters of organisation and health and safety

5. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the Universities of Glasgow and Helsinki, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high-quality peer-reviewed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

6. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project and subject area, and implement a suitable research strategy.

7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the organisations and wider parasitology and cell biology communities.

8. Take a leading role in group meetings and organisation research activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the organisation.

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.

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 the Director of Research.

14. Contribute to the enhancement of both Universities international profile

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential / desirable criteria**.** If you do not address each criterion in the format explained above you will not be shortlisted for an interview.

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential

A1. Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) with at least 2 years' post-doctoral experience in a similar or related role(s), or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience.

A2. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge related to the field of research.

Desirable

B1. Basic working knowledge of linux/shell

Skills

Essential

C1. Excellent skills of culturing parasites, or similar skill, as evidenced through publication and/or skills of data collection, processing and analysis, as required for single-particle structural analysis, or relevant skills that would enhance getting up to speed with this method.

C2. Ability to deliver high-quality scientific outputs, as evidenced through publication record.

C3. Excellent organizational, communication and record-keeping skills (E);

C4. Ability to demonstrate initiative for achieving progress on the research project and driving it towards completion in an independent way.

Desirable

D1. Skills in multiple biochemical and cell-biology techniques (e.g. cell fractionation, immunoprecipitation, western blotting, growth assays, enzyme activity assays).

Experience

Essential

E1. Experience in culturing *Plasmodium *and/or Toxoplasma parasites and general tissue culture techniques as evidenced through publication.

E2. Experience with protein purification techniques and/or cellular fractionation or organelle isolation and/or experience with software for data processing and analysis (for example, smart EPU, RELION, cryoSPARC).

E3. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E4. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E5. Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design and analysis of experiments and drafting of papers

E6. Experience in undertaking independent research

Desirable

F1. Experience of solving structures via single particle cryoEM, as evidenced through publication.

Further Information

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Sheiner via email lilach.sheiner@glasgow.ac.uk and/or Dr. Alexander Mühleip alexander.muhleip@helsinki.fi

This post has approved funding on a full-time basis, the first year is in Glasgow university. The following up to two years is in Helsinki.

About The School of Infection and Immunity The School of Infection and Immunity is part of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow. The School hosts scientists and clinical investigators of global repute, including members of the Glasgow Centre for Parasitology who are world experts in parasitology research, from genetics, molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry through to immunologists and host-parasite interactions. Our global expertise is supported by state-of-the-art facilities in imaging, flow cytometry, bioinformatics and protein characterisation. The University of Glasgow placed 87th overall in THE World University Rankings 2024, performing particularly strongly in the categories of Research Quality and International Outlook - ranking 32nd and 30th in the world respectively.

About the Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki

The Institute of Biotechnology is an independent research institute within the University of Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and at the global forefront of life science research with state-of-the-art research core facilities in genomics, biological imaging and structural biology. According to the 2024 Times Higher Education World University survey, the University of Helsinki is ranked among the top 80 universities world-wide in life science research. The University of Helsinki is committed to providing a welcoming environment for international researchers, offering comprehensive services and support for relocating to Finland-a country known for its high quality of life, excellent education system, and robust support for research and innovation.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,247 - £45,163 per annum.

This post is full time and has funding for up to 12 months (University of Glasgow) plus up to 2 yearsin Helsinki.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

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.

Vacancy Ref : 160351 Close Date : 31-Dec-2024 23:45