Job details
Posted04 August 2026SalaryGrade 6: £33,951 – £37,694 per annumEnd date18 August 2026LocationGlasgowJob TypeResearch and TeachingReference205334Expiry18 Aug 2026 23:45
Job description
Job Purpose
You will contribute to the Project BioTIDE (Biofilter Taste-&-Odour Informed Design), an EPSRC New Investigator Award led by Dr Marta Vignola. The project develops an ecological design framework for drinking water biofiltration, addressing the removal of taste and odour compounds produced by cyanobacterial blooms, a growing challenge for water utilities under climate change.
The project combines lab-scale biofilter experiments, molecular microbiology, and quantitative microbial ecology to move biofiltration design from trial and error towards a predictive engineering discipline. The post holder will have the opportunity to contribute to this project that involves international collaboration and to work at the interface of environmental engineering and microbial ecology. 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 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 journals, 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. Carry out modest Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.
10. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
11. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
12. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.
13. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience.
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential:
A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in microbiology, biotechnology, environmental science, environmental engineering or a cognate discipline, or equivalent
A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of environmental microbiology or microbial ecology
A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism
Desirable:
B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent
B2 A Master’s degree (awarded, or submitted/near completion) in a relevant subject specialism or equivalent
Skills
Essential:
C1 Practical experience of molecular microbiology techniques, including DNA extraction from environmental matrices, PCR, and sequencing library preparation
C2 Experience of analysing and interpreting metagenomic or amplicon sequencing data
C3 Experience of flow cytometry applied to microbial quantification in environmental or water samples
C4 Experience of environmental sampling and sample processing, and of designing and running lab-scale batch or microcosm experiments
C5 Working knowledge of biosafety practice in a microbiology laboratory
C6 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate
C7 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely
C8 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach
C9 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills
C10 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate
C11 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working
C12 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach
Desirable:
D1 Experience of working with biological water treatment systems, such as sand filters, biofilters or activated carbon filters
D2 Familiarity with quantitative approaches to microbial community ecology
D3 Experience of working within interdisciplinary teams spanning engineering and life sciences
D4 Experience of working in an international research collaboration
Experience
Essential:
E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher
E2 Experience of scientific writing
E3 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner
E4 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 – £37,694 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours per week), and has funding for up to 12 months in the first instance. Please Note: If you are a current employee of the University of Glasgow, please be advised that the University would consider an internal secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for internal secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.
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 August 2026 at 23:45
