Internal Applicants Only – Research Assistant

Job title:

Internal Applicants Only – Research Assistant

Company

Cardiff University

Job description

School / DirectorateSchool of MedicineAdvertThis post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.Internal Applicants Only – Research Assistant
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life SciencesWe are looking for a Research Assistant to join the Dr Gaynor Smith Lab in the School of Medicine and UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University.In this role, you will:

• Support a Race Against Dementia (RAD) funded research project, working closely with post-doctoral research associates, technicians and PhD students to complete several experiments.
• Contribute to general lab organisation and cleanliness.
• Help maintain a Drosophila (fruit fly) collection – perform husbandry and make fly food.
• Carry out experiments in the wet lab and fly lab and collect data.
• You will have opportunities to develop your technical skills (microscopy, data collection & analysis), supporting an interdisciplinary team of researchers working in translational neuroscience.

We’d like to hear from you if you:

• Are an enthusiastic and ambitious Research Assistant with a drive to work in neuroscience, dementia and neurodegeneration-focused research;
• Are excited to support a collaborative project, and contribute to the wider objectives of a translational research team;
• Have research experience handling Drosophila with an interest in Alzheimer’s disease

This post is based at the Hadyn Ellis Building, Cathays campus.The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed.Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.How we will support you in performing in this role –There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience. We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:1. Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2. An experienced and supportive team around you
3. Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4. A mentoring schemeFor informal enquiries please contact Dr Gaynor Smith – smithga@cf.ac.ukThis post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1 October 2025 and fixed term until 31 March 2027.Salary: £33,482 – £36,130 per annum (Grade 5). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.Closing date: Tuesday, 1 July 2025External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:Post Reference Number20193BRJob DescriptionJob Purpose
To contribute to research within the Dementia and Drosophila fields, carrying out supporting work that helps lead to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.Duties and ResponsibilitiesKey Duties

• To undertake research, e.g. by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments.
• Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners
• To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages
• To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate
• To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

Other

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Salary Range Max.36,130GradeGrade 5Salary Range Min.33,482Job CategoryAcademic – Research, Health, Medical & DentalAdditional InformationIMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria.As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to you application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance, 20193BRCareer PathwayResearchPerson SpecificationEssential CriteriaQualifications and Education * A degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience
Knowledge, Skills and Experience * Knowledge of research methods and techniques within specialist field

• Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately
• Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

Communication and Team Working * Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences

• Excellent organisational and team-working skills

Other * Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work

• Has extensive experience in Drosophila Husbandry techniques

Desirable Criteria * Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

• Proven ability to work without close supervision
• Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
• Evidence of work in the Alzheimer’s disease field.
• Evidence of work with high resolution confocal microscopy

Expected salary

£33482 – 36130 per year

Location

United Kingdom

Job date

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:30:20 GMT

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