Research Assistant

UE06: £34,610 - £39,906 per annum

CSE / Institute of Molecular Plant Science / School of Biological Sciences

Full Time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: 31 May 2028

The Opportunity:

Grow your career in a city full of stories. Unlocking Edinburgh. 

We offer careers and roles in just about every area you can think of. Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your current specialism, explore a new challenge, or broaden your experience, we offer opportunities where you can flourish and make a real difference. Our people come from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their abilities and experiences to our organisation, helping us thrive and innovate together. 
 

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area. We offer the full range of academic roles and have a genuine focus on our students performance and wellbeing.
 

We are looking for a Research Associate to assist our study of the role of ZHOUPI genes in the cell death and breakdown of the embryo-surrounding maternal tissues of the model liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and several other non seed plant models.  The post is in the group of Prof. Justin Goodrich in the Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences and will be supported by a full time Post Doctoral Research Assistant (PDRA).
 

The aim of the project is to characterize genes that control the programmed cell death and cell separation that occurs during the breakdown of the maternal tissues that surround the developing embryo in plants.  We are mainly working with the model liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, for which we have developed extensive genetic tools, but will extend this to several other distantly related plant species (a hornwort, a club moss, a pine).  Ultimately our results will inform how  the endosperm of flowering plant seed, a key tissue for human nutrition, has evolved. The RA will work closely with and support a full time PDRA, for example by helping with plant transformation, molecular cloning, maintaining genetic stocks and mutant screens.  The Goodrich group collaborate with the neighbouring Hetherington lab, with relevant expertise in club mosses (Selaginella apoda), with Moritz Nowack’s group (University of Ghent) with expertise in programmed cell death analysis and several other leading plant research groups.

People have always been at the heart of our work. Our people are at the centre of the University community and everything we do. We value colleagues with drive, determination and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome and offer a range of policies and benefits designed to support you in building the right meaningful flexibility that works for you.

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle: 

• Professional development and subject matter expertise 
• Opportunities to develop new skills and broaden your experience 
• Leading-edge research 

For informal enquiries please contact the hiring manager Justin Goodrich at [email protected]

This post is full-time (35 hours per week).

View the full job description 

How to apply

 Please 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, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the 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 a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality. 

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)

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 26 August 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone. 
Interviews will be held as soon as possible after the advert closing date.