Research Associate/Assistant

Research Associate

COLLEGE OF MVLS

School of Medicine

Research And Teaching

GRADE 6 or 7

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to research on personalised diet advice and allergy. The post-holder will be involved in the running of the project, with active involvement in literature searching and data handling and synthesis, working with consumer surveys, food composition tables and large national databases to characterise diets. The role sits within the team led by Professor Emilie Combet, in collaboration with external partners.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Plan and conduct 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. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including contributing to 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. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
4. Contribute to the presentation of work at conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
5. 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.
6. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.
7. Contribute to 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.
8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.
9. Carry out modest Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.
10. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
11. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
12. Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.
13. Contribute to the enhancement of the University's international profile in line with the University's Strategic Plan, World Changers Welcome.

For appointment at grade 7:

1. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.
2. Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.
3. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications:

For appointment at Grade 6

Essential:

1. SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.
2. Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of Nutrition, Food Science or Dietetics.

Desirable:

1. An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent.
2. Knowledge of allergy, especially food allergy, and food labels.

For appointment at grade 7:

Essential:

1. Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
2. Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism.
3. Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniques linked to the study of nutritional status / dietary assessment.
4. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

Skills:

Essential:

1. Interpersonal skills, a team player able to communicate and work with a broad range of audiences, multidisciplinary research groups and healthcare professionals.
2. Good IT, administrative and organisational skills.
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
4. Ability to contribute to the development and progression of research objectives as an individual or team member, including the effective planning of research tasks.
5. Ability to use initiative and judgment to plan and progress work.
6. Excellent approach to working as part of a team, as well as individually.
7. Ability to work flexibly to accommodate and prioritise competing demands on time.
8. Ability to accept collegiate responsibilities and act accordingly.
9. Ability for independent thought to generate original hypothesis, and solutions to problems.
10. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

Experience

For appointment at Grade 6

Essential:

1. Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher, including practical experience of dietary assessment and data synthesis.
2. Experience of scientific writing.
3. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
4. Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.
5. Experience of independently carry out laboratory-based studies.

Desirable:

1. Experience of leading or supporting applications to relevant ethics committees.
2. Experience of working across sectors, with industry and academia.

For appointment at grade 7:

Essential:

1. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.
2. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.
3. Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.

Desirable:

1. An experience of research impact assessment.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,232 - £36,924/£40,247 - £45,163 per annum. This post is full time and fixed term for up to 8 months. Proposed start date March 2025.

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 : 162254 Close Date : 03-Jan-2025 23:45