Research Assistant / Associate

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Assistant/Associate to join our team in the School of Biodiversity, One Health &Veterinary Medicine.

You will contribute to/make a leading contribution to analysing and interpreting genetic data for the nematode parasite Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm) to support the ongoing global campaign to eradicate Guinea worm, working with Professor James Cotton, Dr Elizabeth Thiele (Vassar College, NY, USA) and other members of the Guinea worm eradication program at The Carter Centre.

The successful candidate will assist with developing appropriate population genetic analyses to evaluate the parasite’s transmission dynamics and population history, develop computational pipelines to perform variant calling and statistical analyses necessary to interpret the large-scale genetic data being generated by the program, and produce interpretable and accessible outputs for broad audiences including program epidemiologists, modellers, and partner countries and organisations.

The data include Illumina sequence data from mitochondrial genomes and from a massively parallel nuclear microsatellite panel from tens of thousands of samples, as well as extensive epidemiological records and metadata, providing a uniquely detailed resource for a eukaryotic pathogen. The ideal candidate will have experience in some or all of molecular epidemiology, population genetics and bioinformatics, and a passion for using genetic data to inform real-world public health applications.

While the focus is on data analysis, this position will include working with international partners and will require presenting high-level and professional results to diverse audiences.

The post will be based in Glasgow, with opportunities for travel to Vassar College (New York, USA) and The Carter Center (Georgia, USA) for collaborative work and eradication program meetings. The successful candidate will be required to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as make a significant contribution to the management and direction of this complex and challenging project.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding available until 30 June 2027, but with a possibility of renewal.

For enquiries regarding this post please contact Professor James Cotton, James.Cotton@glasgow.ac.uk 

For more information and to apply please click the 'Apply' button above.

Closing Date: 5 October 2026 23:45

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/ 

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/

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