Research Assistant​/Associate

Job details
Posted 04 March 2026
Salary: GRADE 6/7, £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum

Location:

Glasgow
Job Type: Research and Teaching
Reference: 194373
Expiry: 01 April 2026 at 23:45

The post holder will be based at the Cancer Research UK-Scotland Institute (CRUK‑SI) in Glasgow https://, working with Principal Investigator, Dr Stephen Carter, and in collaboration with Prof. Martin Bushell at the CRUK‑SI. CRUK‑SI is one of the world's leading cancer research centres. It supports cutting‑edge discovery research into the molecular mechanisms of cancer development. This ambitious project is funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF), initially for 18 months with the potential for a three‑year extension and is focussed on investigating the architecture of PML bodies and other nuclear condensates.

We are looking to recruit a structural or cellular biologist to develop and apply ultra structural methodologies at the heart of this project using cryo‑electron tomography (cryo‑ET) combined with cryogenic correlated light and electron microscopy (cryo‑CLEM) and cryo‑focused ion beam (cryo‑FIB) milling. This programme will involve state‑of‑the‑art imaging approaches to visualise molecular details of the intricate relationships between chromatin and nuclear condensates.

The successful candidate will be trained in how to apply cryo‑ET coupled with fluorescence to map key functional proteins and contribute to the study of the molecular mechanisms governing the assembly, composition and function of PML bodies and other nuclear condensates. The ideal candidate will have experience in molecular biology, cryo‑EM sample preparation techniques, processing skills of cryo‑tomograms, and be self‑motivated in designing and executing cryo‑ET experiments.

• Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group/meetings/seminars/workshops with our Cancer Research UK‑Scotland Institute colleagues, the MRC‑University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR), and the wider community.
• Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and the research strategy of the Cancer Research UK‑Scotland Institute.
• Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
• Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of the Cancer Research UK‑Scotland Institute, including contributing to publications of international quality in high‑profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and CRUK‑SI, including Budgets/Expenditure.
• Carry out modest Teaching activities [e.g. demonstrating etc.] and associated administration as assigned in consultation with the Principal Investigator.
• Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
• Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Principal Investigator.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

• Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership, and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating, and publishing research, and mentoring…