Researcher 1A (FTC 6 months)

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Glasgow Caledonian – the largest and leading modern university in Scotland - is a vibrant, values-led university with campuses in the heart of Glasgow and London. With a strong commitment to high quality education and research which supports the communities we serve, we have strong partnerships with employers to ensure our students get the careers they dream of and deserve.

In 2023 we rocketed into the top 40 universities in the UK in the highly regarded Guardian University Guide, were ranked the UK’s 2nd top performing modern university in the inaugural Daily Mail guide, and entered the top highly coveted 50 UK universities in the 2024 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for the first time. We are the top performing modern University in Scotland in all three guides. We are the only Scottish university with EcoCampus Platinum accreditation and were ranked second in Scotland for sustainability in the most recent People and Planet league table.

With a wide range of professionally accredited courses and links with over 300 industry partners, we have the highest proportion of undergraduate level graduates in highly skilled occupations (83%) compared to other Scottish modern universities - with 91% of our students in employment or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA 2023). We are Scotland’s leading provider of Graduate Apprenticeships and we have transnational partnerships around the world, supporting more than 22,000 students from nearly 120 countries.  We are committed to widening participation, helping more people from diverse backgrounds into university.

Guided by our values – integrity, responsibility, creativity and confidence - we transform the lives of the people and communities we serve.

The Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) in the School of Health & Life Sciences has an international reputation for delivering high impact research. In the recent Research Excellence Framework assessment (2021) 91% of GCU’s health related research has been formally classified as world-leading or internationally excellent. Moreover, the impact of GCU’s applied health research was classified as ‘outstanding’ and surpassed by only one other UK institution. The University's outstanding record for delivering impact for the common good against the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals was also highlighted in the recent THE Global Impact Rankings with GCU 1^st in Scotland for SDG3, good health and wellbeing.

Biomedical Sciences is an interdisciplinary department with a particular focus on impactful, translational-oriented research. This includes multiple research topics including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The purpose of the role will be to evaluate the efficacy of a new therapeutic peptide for the treatment of heart failure patients. In this Novo Nordisk funded project we will work with researchers in Belgium who will attain human hearts and expose them to peptide to assess whether they can increase activation of calcium signalling pathways in the hearts. These will then be frozen and shipped to Glasgow where they will be assessed using assays of protein-protein interactions and protein phosphorylation.

We are looking for a candidate with an undergraduate degree in physiology/biochemistry or related subjects. With a PhD (awarded or close to completion). They should be familiar with biochemical assays such as Western blot, immunofluoresence and Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA).

The candidate will have to liaise with the collaborators and the PI to ensure tissue is stored and analysed correctly. In depth knowledge of in cardiac calcium signalling is desirable.  Good organisation skills and the ability to troubleshoot technical issues are highly desirable.

Candidates can contact Dr Niall Macquaide by e-mail (niall.macquaide@gcu.ac.uk) if they wish to discuss any particulars of this position.

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do.  As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process that is free from bias so that we can attract and retain a high performing workforce which makes a critical contribution to our success​.

The University holds the prestigious Athena SWAN Silver institution award, which recognises our significant record of activity and achievement in promoting gender equality across different disciplines.

As a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, we are striving to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Although the Disability Confident 'Committed' level does not guarantee an interview for disabled applicants, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during the recruitment process.

The University also holds the Carer Positive ‘Engaged’ employer award, which recognises our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities.

Glasgow Caledonian University are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception).