Research Associate in Immunology
COLLEGE OF MEDICAL VETERINARY & LIFE SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
Research and Teaching
GRADE 7
Job Purpose
We are seeking to appoint an experienced Research Associate to work within the School of Infection and Immunity under the supervision of Professor Gwo-tzer Ho [Principal Investigator]. This post forms the exciting new Gut Translational Research Group led by Professor Ho in the School of Infection and Immunity. This project will focus on the role of host danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and their importance in driving inflammation in the human Inflammatory Bowel Diseases as part of the Scottish-wide MUSIC IBD (Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee) study into mucosal healing (www.musicstudy.uk).
The project
The Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), Crohn’s and Ulcerative colitis are lifelong immune-conditions that affect ~300,000 individuals in the UK. As part of a wider strategy to develop a deep human experimental medicines platform, this project aims to mainly focus on using novel human in vitro platforms using IBD gut stem cells, epithelial and immune cells in a more complex co-culture settings to study IBD-specific mechanisms and patient-centric outcomes such as fatigue and wellbeing. This study will employ significant multi-omic datasets available from our current IBD projects and requires the postholder to work closely in a multidisciplinary team of immunologists, clinical researchers and data scientists. In this project, the postholder will focus on DAMPs-mediated inflammation, particularly the cGAS-STING pathway in IBD immune-signalling, gut regeneration and repair as a translational target. The postholder is expected to have a combination of good lab experience and experience in molecular data handling (single-cell and spatial biology). This post will offer career development opportunities for the postholder to work towards fellowships applications. The postholder is expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of reports, research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this exciting project as opportunities allow.
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 the group research strategy.
2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting progress reports and papers as appropriate and in a timely manner.
3. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high-quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
4. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project and subject area, and implement a suitable research strategy.
5. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the School and wider community.
6. Take a leading role in group meetings and School research activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School.
7. 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.
8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including budgets/expenditure.
9. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
10. Make a leading contribution to teaching activities such as supervising BSc/MSc/PhD students and associated admin as assigned by Professor Ho.
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 Head of School.
14. Present work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University's international profile in line with the University's Strategic Plan – World Changers Together.
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 interview.
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
1. A1. Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 [PhD] in immunology or a cognate discipline with at least 2 years’ post-doctoral experience in a similar or related role(s).
2. A2. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge in gut biology and immunology more generally.
3. A3. Knowledge of designing and implementing human experimental studies (e.g. organoids, myeloid and immune cells from humans).
4. A4. Knowledge of advanced techniques for characterising immune responses at a cellular (high dimensional flow cytometry, confocal microscopy) and molecular level (RNA-seq, spatial technologies).
5. A5. Knowledge of gene manipulation techniques such as CRISPR and metabolic experimental techniques such as Seahorse, SCENITH for examples.
Desirable:
1. B1. General knowledge in IBD.
Skills
Essential:
1. C1. Excellent skills in a range of immunology techniques, including multiparameter flow cytometry.
2. C2. Skills in handling RNA, RT-PCR amplification and analysis.
3. C3. Skills in microscopy (immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence).
4. C4. Skills in tissue culture of immune system cells and organoid culture.
Desirable:
1. D1. Skills in RNA sequencing analysis, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics.
2. D2. Skills with bioinformatic analyses.
3. D3. Familiarity with spatial technologies.
Experience
Essential:
1. E1. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience in a research laboratory or similar environment, including evidence of previous professional development.
2. E2. Experience with human experimental approaches such as organoids, co-culture systems with immune and epithelial cells.
3. E3. Experience in working with human primary cells such as gut tissue and immune cells.
4. E4. Experience with immunological techniques such as cell isolation, high-dimensional flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, cell stimulation assays.
5. E5. Proficiency in molecular biology techniques such as preparation of material for transcriptional profiling e.g., qPCR, bulk RNA-seq.
6. E6. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
7. E7. Evidence of presentation and publication of research results in quality publications/conferences.
8. E8. Experience of making a valuable contribution in academic activities including patient involvement and engagement activities.
9. E9. 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.
10. E10. Commitment to generating and maintaining a positive research environment and contribution to the wider research community.
Further Information
Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Gwo-tzer Ho via email gwo-tzer.ho@glasgow.ac.uk.
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 3 years from start date.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
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 here, benefits and discount packages.
3. A flexible approach to working.
4. A commitment to support your health and wellbeing here.
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 here.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan here 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 here for more information.
Closing Date: 28 April 2025 at 23:45
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