Research Assistant Grade 6

Job Purpose
You will contribute to a project on 'regulation of UVR8 photoreceptor function' working with Professor Gareth Jenkins. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

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 publications, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
4. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national 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 reasonable duties as required 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 Strategy.

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 plant molecular biology.
A3 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of the molecular basis of plant responses to endogenous or environmental stimuli.
A4 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism.
A5 Knowledge of specialist IT software as appropriate.

Knowledge/Qualifications — Desirable
B1 An awarded (or recently submitted) PhD in plant molecular photobiology or equivalent.
B2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of the molecular basis of plant responses to light, ideally responses to UV-B radiation mediated by the UVR8 photoreceptor.
B3 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of protein structure, post-translational modification by phosphorylation and protein:protein interactions.
B4 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of the regulation of gene expression.

Skills — Essential
C1 Skills in: using molecular genetic approaches in plants; growing plants and giving experimental treatments; making protein extracts, protein electrophoresis and immunodetection; studying protein function, protein:protein interactions and/or protein modifications.
C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.
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 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.
C7 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.
C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

Skills — Desirable
D1 Skills in: growing Arabidopsis; treating plants with specific light qualities, ideally UV-B; analysis of photoreceptor mutant phenotypes; working with transgenic Arabidopsis; co-immunoprecipitation assays, including in Nicotiana transient expression; functional analysis of protein modifications, in particular phosphorylation.

Experience — Essential
E1 Experience of studying the molecular basis of plant responses to endogenous or environmental stimuli.
E2 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher.
E3 Experience of scientific writing.
E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
E5 Evidence of an emerging track record of high-quality research publications in a relevant field.

Experience — Desirable
F1 Experience of: working with Arabidopsis; functional characterisation of mutants and/or transgenic plants; examining responses to specific light qualities, ideally UV-B; working on photoreceptor (ideally UVR8) structure, regulation and/or function; studying protein:protein interactions using different approaches; studying protein phosphorylation.

Terms and Conditions
This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding for up to 36 months.

Benefits include: 41 days of leave for full time staff, generous pension package, benefits and discount packages, flexible working, health and wellbeing support including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff.

The University of Glasgow is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Applications are particularly welcome from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community and other under-represented groups. The University endorses the principles of Athena Swan and holds bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.