Job Description

Job Category: Academic
:
Grade UE06: 34,610 to 39,906 per annum
CMVM / The Roslin Institute
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: 32 months
The Opportunity:
We have an opportunity for a Research Assistant, based at the University of Edinburgh, to contribute to a LifeArc funded project investigating a novel therapeutic strategy against the rare genetic calcification diseases Generalised Arterial Calcification of Infancy (GACI) and pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), working in the laboratories of Vicky MacRae (PI) and Patrick Hadoke (Co-I). This work forms a central part of the larger research programme of our team, investigating mechanisms of cardiovascular calcification. The post will involve working with transgenic mouse models to explore the progression of calcification in a range of tissues including aorta, skin and kidney.
The successful applicant will work closely with the group leader and other team members, including a post-doctoral research assistant. They will benefit from training in a vibrant and collaborative research environment, which offers the opportunity to develop skills in a wide range of state-of-the-art biomedical research methods.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns.
The salary for this post is 34,610 to 39,906 per annum.
Your skills and attributes for success:

• Able to work confidently with transgenic rodent models.
• Experience of histology (preparing, processing and staining samples) and tissue collection.
• A solid knowledge in molecular and cell biology techniques
• Excellent record keeping and organisational skills.
• BSc or equivalent in a biology or chemistry based area
• BSc or equivalent in a biology or chemistry based area

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Application Information
Please ensure you 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, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our

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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 Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT 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 (opens new browser tab)
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 15th January 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
About Us: As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow's greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About the Team:
The Roslin Institute receives strategic investment from the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and provides national capability to achieve sustainable agriculture, control diseases and enhance health through pioneering animal bioscience.
The Institute is a key part of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise, a joint submission by the School and Scotland's Rural College placed first in the United Kingdom for agriculture, food and veterinary sciences.
The Institute is home to over 400 staff, students and visitors, including around 65 Group Leaders and Tenure Track Fellows on a path to independence. It has a ( ) (opens in a new browser tab) of postgraduate research and a thriving student community.
Research at the Institute is organised across eight divisions (Quantitative Biology, Genome Biology, Functional Genetics, Translational Bioscience, Bacteriology, Virology, Immunology, and Epidemiology) and two Institute Strategic Programmes funded by the BBSRC from 2023-28 (Genes & Traits for Healthy Animals and Prevention & Control of Infectious Diseases).
Over 380M has been invested in physical infrastructure at Easter Bush since 2008, including for research on key terrestrial and aquatic farmed animals. This includes the National Avian Research Facility, a 24M Large Animal Research & Imaging Facility, Aquaculture facilities for fish and shellfish, and an Innovation Centre that is now fully occupied with commercial tenants. The campus serves as a key innovation hub for the Agri-Tech, Aquaculture and Animal Bioscience (3A) sector and Roslin has extensive partnerships with businesses, including animal breeding and pharmaceutical businesses able to translate its discoveries at global scale.
The Institute has a positive and inclusive culture and holds a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award in recognition of its commitment to advance the careers of women in science.
Further details of the research conducted at the Institute can be found at ( ) (opens in a new browser tab).

Skills Required