Research Assistant

College of Science and Engineering / School of Biological Sciences / Institute of Ecology and Evolution

Part Time (28 hours per week)

Fixed Term (48 months)

The Opportunity:

The Collins group does experimental evolution and ecophysiology with marine phytoplankton, focusing on the roles of multiple environmental changes on marine microbes at different timescales. We are looking for a Research Assistant to provide support on laboratory experiments investigating the physiological and evolutionary responses of marine diatoms to ocean change, as well as to assist with laboratory management of a 4-person group. Our group carries out large experiments, often with novel or developing methodology. While much of the system-specific knowledge can be taught on the job, some knowledge of marine microbiology, biogeochemistry, or the physiology of photosynthetic microbes is useful, and the ability to learn enough about these things to have a critical view of the experiments you will be assisting with is necessary. 

This post is advertised as 80%FTE (28 hours per week). We are able to accommodate limited flexible working within these hours. There is no option for hybrid working for this position.

Your skills and attributes for success: 

• Excellent organizational and time management skills 
• Excellent communication skills, including proactively communicating with PI and other team members
• Meticulous, consistent, and transparent laboratory practices; complete laboratory notes
• Good problem solving and trouble-shooting skills, especially for practical matters related to the smooth functioning of the lab
• Our projects draw on several fields of study that are not usually connected. A demonstrated ability to learn and apply new background information, methods, and ideas is useful.

Application Information  

Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter

As a valued member of our team you can expect: 

• A competitive salary
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits 

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality. 

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. 

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 14 February 2025. 

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.