Research Associate: Biochemist in Glasgow

Job Purpose: To make a leading contribution to a Department of Defence Treat Reduction Agency (DTRA) funded project titled ‘Iterative simulation, artificial intelligence and machine learning-guided design of cyclic peptide aptamers based on structural characterisation of alpha-conotoxin/nAChR interactions’ working with Professor Andrew Jamieson in the research disciplines of Biochemistry and Chemical Biology. 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/disciplinary area as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
• Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the University of Glasgow/School/Research Group/area, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality, 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, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy to deliver project/area requirements and opportunities.
• Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research and/or impact profile.
• Take a leading role in 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 and impact.
• Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/area/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. academic and industrial partners).
• Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group/area activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
• 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.
• Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including budgets/expenditure.
• Contribute as appropriate to teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating, etc) and associated administration, as may be assigned through the School in consultation with your line manager.
• Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
• Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager and the Head of School.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with University strategy.

Knowledge and Qualifications:

• A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD), plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment (for example postdoctoral research experience), or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
• A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within protein biochemistry and chemical biology.
• A3 Well-developed working knowledge of research methods, technical models, equipment and techniques relevant to protein biochemistry and the project/discipline as outlined in the Skills and Experience.

Skills:

• C1 Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of Membrane Protein Biochemistry: Demonstrated experience in the isolation, purification, and stabilisation of membrane proteins, preferably ligand-gated ion channels such as nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), including detergent selection, affinity purification, and reconstitution strategies.
• C2 Receptor Biophysics and Binding Assays: Proven expertise in quantitative biophysical techniques to characterise ligand–receptor interactions, including surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and fluorescence polarisation (FP) assays, with experience determining binding kinetics and affinities.
• C3 Handling and Processing Biological Tissue: Practical experience working with animal-derived tissues for membrane protein preparation, including homogenisation, membrane fraction isolation, and receptor enrichment from complex biological samples.
• C4 Structural Biology of Membrane Receptors: Knowledge of the structural biology of membrane proteins, particularly ion channels or GPCRs, and experience interpreting structural data from methods such as cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, or computational modelling to inform ligand design.
• C5 Good appreciation of computational and AI-assisted molecular design: Familiarity with computational chemistry or AI/ML-driven approaches for peptide or ligand design, including molecular docking, structure-based design, or generative models to guide optimisation of receptor-binding peptides.
• C6 Excellent skills in lab safety (COSHH, Risk assessment) and effective lab management.
• C7 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.
• C8 Ability to communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature and to be effective both orally and in writing at a level appropriate to the activity.
• C9 Effective organisation skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities.

Experience:

• E1 Experience of planning and progressing work activities within Membrane Protein Biochemistry and Receptor Biophysics and Binding Assays, applying initiative and independent judgement.
• E2 Developing track record of research outputs with experience of scientific writing that is compatible with enhancing the research group and School’s research profile in accordance with group and School’s objectives.
• E3 Experience of making distinct contributions to identifying and pursuing research funding applications.
• E4 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage, including some experience of undergraduate/postgraduate research project supervision.
• E5 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
• E6 Experience of milestone driven research and working to deadlines.

Desirable:

• F1 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit the economy and wider society (for example outreach activities).
• F2 Experience of contributing to the design and delivery of teaching and assessment in higher education or other relevant environments.

Terms and Conditions: Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum. This post is full time (35 hours per week), and has funding available until 30 April 2027 in the first instance. 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.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared. An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages. A flexible approach to working. A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: We believe that 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. We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

Closing Date: 11 May 2026 at 23:45.