Laboratory Research Assistant

UHI Inverness is one of the largest partners of UHI, a partnership of colleges and research institutions that comprises Scotland’s newest university. As the UK’s leading tertiary education provider, UHI delivers both further and higher education courses - and that makes us different from traditional institutions. Through an innovative approach to learning and some of the best online learning technologies, we offer our students the complete learner journey, where they have choice and flexibility to study from access level right through to PhD.

UHI Inverness is at the heart of the Highlands and Islands community. Working closely with businesses and stakeholders, our curriculum and research capacity is designed to meet the ever-evolving needs of industry and support the strengths and ambitions of the region. Through a personalised approach, we help our students discover their right path, providing them with a combination of qualification and job-ready skills to succeed in the workplace.

The Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation (IBFC) at UHI Inverness, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), is hiring a part-time Laboratory Research Assistant (0.6 FTE) to support its work in applying genetic tools to biodiversity conservation and management. We are seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated member of staff for an initial two-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of renewal and progression to a permanent post. The Research Assistant will be based at the new and expanding Inverness Campus (www.invernesscampus.co.uk)

IBFC (https://www.inverness.uhi.ac.uk/research/institute-for-biodiversity-and-freshwater-conservation/) supports the management of biodiversity through research, training, and education. To this end, IBFC staff and graduate students work with local communities, natural resource managers, businesses, and government agencies, and collaborate with researchers across the UHI network, at other UK universities, and worldwide. Current research programmes include: environmental DNA approaches for species conservation and ecosystem monitoring; conservation genomics of freshwater and marine bivalves; application of genetics to the management of Scottish salmon populations; development of genetic tools for aquaculture; and monitoring the consequences of beaver reintroductions. IBFC has state-of-the art molecular genetics laboratories including dedicated facilities for working with environmental DNA and high-throughput sequencing capability. We also have a well-equipped field laboratory. IBFC staff have office space in the UHI Inverness Research Hub, where they interact closely with other researchers in the Centre for Living Sustainability. All staff are encouraged and supported to advance their career through training and other opportunities. The leave entitlement for this position is 39 days pro rata (=23.4 days at 0.6 FTE), including 15 days of fixed College closure days. Following a qualifying period, an incremental salary rise will be made annually until the top of the scale for this post is reached.

We are seeking a suitably skilled and qualified research assistant to work in our genetics laboratories at the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation. You will have a good first degree in a suitable subject and experience of working in a molecular genetics laboratory or similar laboratory environment. Experience in performing molecular genetic tasks such as DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, next generation sequencing, working with eDNA, and methods development and optimization would be beneficial.

The research assistant will:

· Provide technical laboratory assistance on specified research and knowledge exchange projects.

· Support other research and knowledge exchange activity.

· Provide laboratory assistance and training for research postgraduates and laboratory visitors.

· Assist with the day to day running of the IBFC’s Molecular Genetics Laboratory, including purchasing and maintenance of the sample database.

· Assist with other IBFC research activities (e.g. fieldwork), if required.

There may be scope to combine this position with part-time study towards a graduate degree.

Application Closing Date: Midnight on 1st October 2023

Shortlisting will take place on:  4^th October 2023

Interviews will be held on: 9-12 October 2023

If you have any queries about the application process please contact the Human Resources Department on recruitment.ic@uhi.ac.uk or on 01463 273210.

Eligibility: The successful applicant will need to provide proof of their right to work in the UK and pass a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme check through Disclosure Scotland prior to commencing employment.

For further information about the role please visit the vacancies section of our website via the apply link.