Research Associate
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What you'll do
- 1. 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.
- 2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
- 3. 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.
- 4. 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.
- 5. 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.
- 6. 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.
- 7. 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).
- 8. 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.
- 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. 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.
- 12. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
What they're looking for
- A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
- C1 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the relevant research disciplines as outlined in the Job Purpose including radiocarbon sample preparation and analysis and data collection by EA-IRMS, PIMS or AMS.
- C2 Well-developed working knowledge of research methods, technical models, equipment and techniques relevant to the project/discipline as outlined in the Job Purpose.
- C3 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.
- C4 Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.
- C5 Practical experience of modifying or optimising EA-IRMS operation and developing protocols for carbon analysis.
- C6 Developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the School’s research profile in accordance with School objectives.
- C7 Experience of making distinct contributions to identifying and pursuing research funding (or equivalent business development) applications.
- C8 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage, including some experience of research project supervision.
- C9 Effective organisation skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities.
- C10 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
Nice to have
- D1 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit the economy and wider society.
- D2 Experience of contributing to the design and delivery of teaching and assessment in higher education or other relevant environments.
- D3 Experience of bio-content verification through radiocarbon analysis.
- D4 An understanding of bio-content validation standards, regulations and methodologies.
- D5 Practical experience of modifying or optimising liquid chromatography operation and developing protocols for analysis.
Summarised by NextRaise from the employer’s description, which follows in full below.
Full description from employer
Research Associate
Job Purpose
To make a leading contribution to the development of biofuel and bioplastic validation using radiocarbon measurements by Positive Ion Mass Spectrometry (PIMS), working within the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) Group at SUERC. The post holder will play a key role in the development of robust, automated analytical workflows for 14C analysis, with a particular focus on the operation, optimisation, and integration of an elemental analyser (EA) with the PIMS instrument. This will involve hands-on experimental work to test, refine, and troubleshoot instrumentation, develop and validate analytical methods, and ensure reliable routine performance aligned with project deliverables. The role includes the development of analytical protocols, data handling and system control, and engagement with industrial partners to ensure methods meet practical user requirements and support technology demonstration. The successful candidate will also contribute to research outputs, including publications and reports, as appropriate.
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 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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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).
8. 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.
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. 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.
12. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
13. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
14. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager and the Head of School.
15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with University strategy.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Qualifications
Essential:
A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential:
C1 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the relevant research disciplines as outlined in the Job Purpose including radiocarbon sample preparation and analysis and data collection by EA-IRMS, PIMS or AMS.
C2 Well-developed working knowledge of research methods, technical models, equipment and techniques relevant to the project/discipline as outlined in the Job Purpose.
C3 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.
C4 Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.
C5 Practical experience of modifying or optimising EA-IRMS operation and developing protocols for carbon analysis.
C6 Developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the School’s research profile in accordance with School objectives.
C7 Experience of making distinct contributions to identifying and pursuing research funding (or equivalent business development) applications.
C8 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage, including some experience of research project supervision.
C9 Effective organisation skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities.
C10 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
Desirable:
D1 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit the economy and wider society.
D2 Experience of contributing to the design and delivery of teaching and assessment in higher education or other relevant environments.
D3 Experience of bio-content verification through radiocarbon analysis.
D4 An understanding of bio-content validation standards, regulations and methodologies.
D5 Practical experience of modifying or optimising liquid chromatography operation and developing protocols for analysis.
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 for up 2 years 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.
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.
Closing Date: 18 October 2026 at 23:45pm
Company
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