Senior Research Assistant

FTE: 0.6 fte (working 22.2 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Fixed term until 31 Dec 2028

Salary: UH6 £33,002 pa pro rata to £38,784 pa pro rata by annual increments on achieved designated skills and experience  

Annual Leave: 35 days pro rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane campus, Hatfield 

We are looking for a committed and proactive senior research assistant with experience of lab-based research to assist with an Innovate UK funded research project: Light Leaf Spot - Enhancing Resistance and reducing Susceptibility with Editing. The research assistant will have opportunities to work with a collaboration team consisting of 12 partners, including breeders, farmers, consultants and academics.

Main duties and responsibilities

The successful candidate will work with the Principal Investigator to design, organise and carry out research activities to screen gene edited materials for disease resistance, write project reports and research papers, liaise with project partners, and attend project meetings. 

Skills and experience required

Relevant research experience and the ability to work in a team are essential. The successful candidate will have knowledge in biology, microbiology, plant production, genetics and genomics. Knowledge and experience of fungal pathogens and working in lab-based research, good communication skills and the ability to work independently would be advantageous. 

Qualifications required

The successful candidate will have a degree or equivalent level 6 qualification, or higher qualification in a relevant discipline. A master’s degree (or equivalent level 7 qualification) and a PhD or close to completion of a PhD in a relevant subject area would also be advantageous. 

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Please note, this post cannot be visa sponsored unless you can evidence a PhD / Doctorate.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Potential candidates are encouraged to contact Prof Yongju Huang y.huang8@herts.ac.uk prior to applying.  

Closing Date: 15 April 2026

Interview Date: TBC 

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts

Advert information