Total 6 Junior Executive level Science / R&D / Research job vacancies in Edinburgh, EH8 8BG

Grade UE06: £33,882 to £39,105 per annum
School of Biological Sciences / Institute of Cell Biology
Full time: 35 hours per week
Fixed Term: for one year (1st March 2025 – 28th February 2026)

We are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated research assistant to join an innovative project investigating the novel roles of kinetochore proteins in brain development. This project builds on a pioneering discovery made by the Cheerambathur Lab, which revealed that kinetochore proteins, traditionally known for their role in chromosome segregation during cell division, also have a cell division-independent function during neurodevelopment.

The Opportunity:

As a member of our multidisciplinary research team, you will have the unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of model systems, including C. elegans and in vitro mammalian cell cultures, and employ cutting-edge techniques in genetics, fluorescence microscopy, quantitative image analysis and biochemistry. This is a fantastic opportunity for candidates who are eager to expand their expertise and to thrive in a stimulating and inclusive academic environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. You will have access to a wealth of resources, including training courses and conferences, to support your growth as a scientist and work on your own professional development.

Candidates with a degree in cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, or neuroscience and knowledge or experience in cell culture and/or biochemical techniques are strongly encouraged to apply.

The start date for this position is flexible and will be funded through a Wellcome Trust grant. Requests for informal enquiries should be sent to Dr. Dhanya Cheerambathur (dhanya.cheerambathur@ed.ac.uk).

Your skills and attributes for success:

Strong motivation to learn new skills and collaborate effectively within a team.
Excellent time management, communication, and organizational skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
Proficiency in standard molecular biology techniques.
Knowledge of biochemistry and/or experience with cell culture (mammalian cells) or model organisms is a plus.

Grade UE04 - £24,533 - £27,181 per annum
College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine - Clinical Sciences
Full time - 35 hours per week
Fixed terrm contract - 2 years

The Opportunity:

We are seeking an Administrative Assistant to join the MND-SMART clinical trial management team. The post-holder will provide administrative support to the trial management team to ensure that the study runs efficiently and vital documents are prepared and stored according to strict governance requirements.

Duties will include filing, photocopying, scanning and document organisation; meeting organisation; travel booking; dealing with email and phone enquiries; maintaining stocks of consumables; data entry. The post-holder will gain experience in clinical trial management.

MND-SMART is the largest-ever clinical drugs trial for motor neuron disease in the UK. It is open at 22 sites across the UK and has recruited over 850 people.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and based on-campus at Edinburgh BioQuarter.

Your skills and attributes for success:

Previous experience working in an office or data management environment
Experience with Microsoft 365 software and confidence to learn new IT systems
Organised and able to prioritise tasks effectively
Excellent attention to detail; able and willing to work in accordance with strictly defined procedures
Informal enquiries should be sent to Judith Newton, Anne Rowling Clinic Deputy Director, on Judith.Newton@ed.ac.uk.

UE02- £21,978-£22,134

Public Engagement, Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Full Time- 35 hours per week

Fixed Term- Until 31st March 2025


We are looking for a recent school, FE college or university leaver to provide scientific technical support for the Roslin Institute’s award-winning Public Engagement with Research (PER) programme. The role is based in the Roslin Institute Public Engagement team at the University of Edinburgh’s Easter Bush Campus, and most of the PER programme is delivered on campus at the Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre (EBSOC), a laboratory space purpose-built for public engagement.


The Opportunity:

This role is a unique opportunity to support the Roslin Institute’s award-winning PER programme, which aligns with and is supported by strategic research funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. This funding supports research into genes and traits for healthy animals, and prevention and control of infectious diseases, allowing Roslin’s experts to develop the Institute’s overall research themes of sustainable agriculture, controlling diseases and enhancing health.

The PER programme includes in-person and online activities for primary, secondary and international schools, FE colleges, adult learners and teachers; as well as events for community groups and the wider public.

The job will involve supporting the delivery of up to three activities per week, most of which are based on campus at the Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre (www.ebsoc.ed.ac.uk), a purpose-built engagement laboratory where we deliver a variety of hands-on science workshops to school pupils and the wider public.

The job will initially focus on technical and administrative tasks in the Easter Bush Outreach Centre; as you develop in the role you will also be supported to get involved in the delivery of our PER programme.

You will need to be interested in science, and enthusiastic about hands-on learning and science engagement. Successful candidates will have basic laboratory skills in biology and/or chemistry and a strong interest in developing these skills further, as well as good all-round communication skills.


Your skills and attributes for success:

-Demonstrable interest in biology and/or animal science
-Enthusiastic, reliable and willing to learn new skills
-Good written and oral communication skills
-Experience of high school level laboratory work and basic laboratory skills
-Ability to work in a team and develop good working relationships with colleagues

UE06: £32,982.00 - £38,205.00 Per Annum.

CMVM / MGPHS / USHER Institute.

Fixed Term - available from from 1st October 2024 - for 12 months in the first instance.

Full Time - 35 hours per week.

Location: Usher Building, 5-7 Little France Road, Edinburgh BioQuarter - Gate 3, Edinburgh, EH16 4UX

The Centre for Population Health Sciences at the Usher Institute, within The University of Edinburgh, is looking for a Research Assistant to work on a range of high impact and innovative research projects. The main project this post will support is an MRC PHIND (Medical Research Council, Public Health Intervention Development Study) study to prevent vaping in young people. In addition to this, the post holder will support other projects which are part of the research team’s portfolio. Currently this includes: a process evaluation of a paracetamol overdose study; prevention of gambling harm in secondary schools; and a feasibility study to support people in recovery from problematic drug or alcohol use to cut down or stop smoking.

The Opportunity:

This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and pro-active individual to gain research, project management, and topic expertise in applied public health research. Working with a highly experienced team of academics and third sector colleagues, the successful candidate will gain applied experience in complex health behaviour change intervention design and evaluation, particularly process evaluation. The successful candidate will require research skills in conducting and analysing qualitative or quantitative research and report writing. In addition to this, they will also have strong organisational skills to set up and co-ordinate team members to assist with fieldwork. You will have a Masters degree in a relevant area and be able to demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness and a proactive approach to help plan and conduct original research with a range of stakeholders.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Fiona Dobbie, Senior Lecturer and Director of Research for the Usher Institute, fiona.dobbie@ed.ac.uk

We will consider requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular (weekly) on-campus working. The Usher Institute expects a minimum of 40% on-campus working.

Your skills and attributes for success:
• Ability to work as part of multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work alongside people from marginalized or underserved groups
• Ability to work independently but to know when to ask for help and support
• To have a genuine interest in applied public health research and willingness to develop skills in research, analysis and dissemination.

Grade UE06: £31,396 to £36,024 per annum (A revised salary range for this grade of £32,982 to £38,205 is planned to take effect from Spring 2024)
College of Science and Engineering/School of Biological Sciences/Institute of Cell Biology
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: for 12 months



We are looking for a research assistant for a period of 12 months to work on the structural biology of the synaptonemal complex in Dr Owen Davies’ laboratory in the University of Edinburgh.



The Opportunity:

The synaptonemal complex is a supramolecular protein structure that assembles during meiosis to facilitate homologous chromosome synapsis and crossover formation. This position will study the integrative structural and cellular biology of the human synaptonemal complex, using techniques that include cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, biophysics, computation, mammalian cell culture and cellular imaging. The successful candidate will establish new projects, individually and in collaboration with other members of the laboratory. This position provides a unique opportunity for a highly enthusiastic graduate to develop their skills and gain experience in structural and cellular biology prior to undertaking a doctoral research programme.

Please contact Dr Owen Davies (owen.davies@ed.ac.uk) for further details and informal discussions about the role.

Your skills and attributes for success:

Interest in the structure of the synaptonemal complex
Interest in using structural approaches to solve fundamental problems of cell biology
Motivation to adopt integrative research approaches
Clear desire to undertake a PhD in a related area
Drive to learn new research techniques

UE02: £21,900 per annum

Public Engagement, Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Full time - 35 hours per week

Contract type - Fixed term, funding available until 31 March 2025





We are looking for an enthusiastic individual wanting to build their scientific and communication skills by supporting the Roslin Institute’s award-winning Public Engagement with Research (PER) programme. The role is based in the Roslin Institute Public Engagement team at the University of Edinburgh’s Easter Bush Campus, and most of the PER programme is delivered on campus at the Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre (EBSOC), a laboratory space purpose-built for public engagement.



This post is an ideal opportunity for a recent school or college leaver, or an individual returning to work or making a career change, who is keen to gain experience in a scientific support role and build their technical and communication skills before pursuing higher education and/or further work in science.



The Opportunity:

This role is a unique opportunity to support the Roslin Institute’s award-winning PER programme, which aligns with and is supported by strategic research funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. This funding supports research into genes and traits for healthy animals, and prevention and control of infectious diseases, allowing Roslin’s experts to develop the Institute’s overall research themes of sustainable agriculture, controlling diseases and enhancing health.



The PER programme includes in-person and online activities for primary, secondary and international schools, FE colleges, adult learners and teachers; as well as events for community groups and the wider public.



The job will involve supporting the delivery of up to three activities per week, most of which are based on campus at the Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre, a purpose-built engagement laboratory where we deliver a variety of hands-on science workshops to school pupils and the wider public.



The job will initially focus on technical and administrative tasks in the Easter Bush Outreach Centre; as you develop in the role you will also be supported to get involved in the delivery of our PER programme.



You will need to be interested in science, and enthusiastic about hands-on learning and science engagement. Successful candidates will have basic laboratory skills in biology and/or chemistry and a strong interest in developing these skills further, and good all-round communication skills.



Your skills and attributes for success:

Demonstrable interest in biology and/or animal science
Enthusiastic, reliable and willing to learn
Good written and oral communication skills
Experience of high school level laboratory work and basic laboratory skills
Ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues