Research Associate

Job title:

Research Associate

Company

University of Glasgow

Job description

Research AssociateCOLLEGE OF Medical, Veterinary and Life SciencesSCHOOL OF Molecular BiosciencesGRADE 7Job PurposeThis post, funded by the Wellcome Trust is to investigate mechanisms that can prevent opioid misuse and opioid-use-disorder and hence have a major impact on the global opioid crisis. In exciting breakthrough studies, we have discovered that inhibition of the M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M5-receptor) can prevent opioid drug seeking and reduce cue-induced relapse. The implications of our findings are huge. They indicate that by co-administration of a drug that inhibits the M5-receptor with opioid analgesics we can reduce the likelihood of patients becoming addicted to opioids and for those patients in remission from opioid addiction we can reduce the likelihood of relapse. This project will work in close collaboration with leading in vivo pharmacologist Professor Carrie Jones, Vanderbilt University, Nashville USA, to understand fundamental aspects of M5-receptor biology and optimise ligands that can modulate M5-receptor activity to reduce the risk of opioid-addiction whilst retaining the drug’s analgesic properties. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will generate novel genetically engineered mice that will be used in combination with unique tool ligands in conjunction with anatomical, behavioural and molecular biology-based studies to explore how M5-receptors regulate reward-seek pathways associated with drug-addiction and validate the potential of this G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) as a therapeutic target.This is an opportunity for a highly motivated Research Associate to conduct basic research with potential for pre-clinical translation. The candidate will be responsible for defining the neurobiology of the M5-receptor in the reward pathway and the efficacy of M5-receptor ligands in regulating drug-seeking using pre-clinical models of addiction. By combining this with mapping of the neuroanatomy of M5-receptor in the brain we will validate the M5-receptor as a novel target for the treatment of addiction. The candidate will be based at University of Glasgow in state-of-the-art laboratories located in the newly built Advanced Research Centre (ARC) in the heart of the University campus and have the opportunity to spend time in our collaborator’s lab in Nashville, Tennessee.Main Duties and Responsibilities1. Take a leading role in planning and conducting assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and College research strategy.2. Conduct neuroanatomy studies and molecular biology-based experiments to understand the biological functions of M5-receptor signalling.3. Conduct in vivo mouse behavioural experiments and ex vivo analysis of tissue.4. Conduct in vitro pharmacological assays5. Document research outputs including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.6. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint 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.7. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.8. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.9. 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.10. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. academic and industrial Partners).11. Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.12. 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.13. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.14. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.15. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.16. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/ Principal Investigators.17. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.Qualifications/KnowledgeEssential:A1. Ph.D. in Neuroscience/Neurobiology/Biochemistry/Cell biology/Pharmacology with at least 2 years’ post-doctoral experience in a similar or related role(s), or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience.A2. BSc in Neuroscience/Neurobiology Biochemistry/Cell biology/ Pharmacology or a related disciplineA3. Knowledge of pre-clinical models of addiction biology, project-specific techniques and equipmentDesirable:B1. Knowledge of GPCR pharmacology and use of analytical pharmacological approachesB2: Knowledge of Opioid Use Disorder biologyB3. Microscopy and advanced imaging approachesSkillsEssential:C1. Good computing skills in MS Office suite softwareC2. Data management skills; including diligence in documenting work and adherence to data integrity requirementsC3. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approachExperienceEssential:E1. Experience of pre-clinical models of addiction and/or behavioural studies in rodentsE2. Confidence and experience in presenting data internally and externallyE3. Experience in analysis and design of experiments and basic computational analysis using data analysis software packages and databasesE4. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcherE5. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient mannerE6. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferencesE7. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activitiesE8. Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.E9. Experience in undertaking independent researchDesirable:F1. Practical experience in immunohistochemistry and tissue sectioning techniques, microscopy and analysis of imagesF2. Experience of stereotaxic surgery and/or implantation of cannula in miceF3. Experience of ex vivo assays and tissue culture, particularly primary cell cultureF4. Experience of in vitro pharmacological assaysInformal enquiries may be directed to Professor Andrew Tobin, Andrew.Tobin@glasgow.ac.ukTerms and ConditionsSalary will be Grade 7, £40,247 – £45,163 per annum.This post is full-time and has funding until 30 September 2029.As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.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.

Expected salary

£40247 – 45163 per year

Location

Glasgow

Job date

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 08:57:33 GMT

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