Website University of Glasgow
Job description
Job Purpose
To contribute / make a leading contribution to an MRC Programme grant entitled “Targeting the primary afferent drivers of neuropathic pain,” working with Dr Greg Weir and his wider neurobiology of pain lab.
Our laboratory aims to define the pathological changes that occur in the nervous system following injury and that give rise to neuropathic pain. We use this fundamental understanding to develop innovative strategies to reverse these changes and ultimately treat pain. This project is a close collaboration between our group in Glasgow and the laboratory of Professor David Bennett at the University of Oxford. The postholder will have access to a wide range of cutting-edge experimental approaches, including opto- and chemogenetics, omics technologies, and stem cell culture, to interrogate both in vivo and in vitro systems. They will be fully supported in developing their scientific career within the inclusive and collaborative environment of the wider Spinal Cord Group.
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
Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator:
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. 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.
10. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
11. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
12. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager and the Head of School.
13. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with University strategy.
For appointment at Grade 7
14. 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.
15. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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).
21. 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.
22. 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.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
A1 SCQF level 10 (Honours Degree). May be working towards post-graduate qualification such as a Masters (SCQF level 11) or PhD (SCQF level 12) in Neuroscience or another relevant subject. OR equivalent professional qualifications in relevant academic / research discipline, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the field of somatosensation and pain, or related neuroscience subjects
A3 Well-developed working knowledge of neuroscience research methods, technical models, equipment and techniques relevant to the study of somatosensation and pain
For appointment at Grade 7
A4 SCQF level 12 (PhD) qualification, 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, with experience in Neuroscience, Pain Biology or Molecular Biology.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate
C2 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely
C3 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach
C4 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills
C5 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate
C6 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working
C7 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach
For appointment at grade 7
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 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.
C10 Effective organisation skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities.
C11 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
C12 Good team leadership skills
C13 Ability to foster existing strategic relationships between the University and industry or other partners.
Experience
Essential
E1 Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.
E2 Developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the School’s research profile in accordance with School objectives.
Desirable:
F1 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit the economy and wider society.
F2 Experience of contributing to the design and delivery of teaching and assessment in higher education or other relevant environments.
F3 Experience of working with RNA/ATAC sequencing datasets
F4 Experience of behavioural testing of rodent models
F5 Experience of advanced in vitro methods for modelling somatosensation and pain, including those based on induced pluripotent stem cells.
For enquiries regarding this post please contact Dr Gregory Weir, Gregory.Weir@glasgow.ac.uk
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,951 – £37,694 / £41,064 – £46,049 per annum
This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding available until 31 January 2031.
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: 23 June 2026 at 23:45
To apply for this job please visit www.jobs.gla.ac.uk.
