Research Assistant/Associate

Job Details

Posted 19 March 2026 Salary Grade 6/7, £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum pro rata
LocationGlasgow
Job Type Research and Teaching
Reference193073
Expiry 09 Apr 2026 00:45

Job Purpose

You will contribute to a project Discriminating Dialects: Mitigating Bias in Automatic Speech Recognition working with Professor Jennifer Smith. The successful candidate will have knowledge and skills in statistical analysis, and experience in working with GenAI tools/ASR systems in the analysis of sociolinguistic variation. The candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals.

Job Purpose – Grade 7

To make a leading contribution to the project Discriminating Dialects: Mitigating Bias in Automatic Speech Recognition working with Professor Jennifer Smith. The successful candidate will have knowledge and skills in statistical analysis, and experience in working with GenAI tools/ASR systems in the analysis of sociolinguistic variation. The candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

Main Duties And Responsibilities – Grade 6

• Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
• Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
• Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
• Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
• Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
• Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.
• Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
• Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.
• Carry out modest Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc.) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.
• Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
• Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

Main Duties And Responsibilities – Grade 7

• Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
• Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
• Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
• Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
• Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
• Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).
• Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
• Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
• Make a leading contribution to Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.
• Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills And Experience – Grade 6 – Essential

• A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.
• A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of ASR systems and their interaction with quantitative sociolinguistic research.
• A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism.
• A4 Project or subject specific skills, including statistical analysis of language data.
• A5 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills And Experience – Grade 6 – Desirable

• B1 SCQF Level 11 (Masters degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills And Experience – Grade 7 – Essential

• A6 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
• A7 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of ASR systems and their interaction with quantitative sociolinguistic research.
• A8 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism.
• A9 Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniques, including statistical analysis of language data.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills And Experience – Grade 6 and 7 – Desirable

• B2 Knowledge of the sociolinguistic landscape of Scotland.
• B3 Knowledge of project specific data sources and archival material.

Skills – Grade 6 – Essential

• C1 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.
• C2 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.
• C3 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.
• C4 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate, and specifically with GenAI tools and the statistical analysis of speech data.
• C5 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.
• C6 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

Skills – Grade 7 – Essential

• C7 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.
• C8 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate, and specifically with GenAI tools and the statistical analysis of speech data.

Experience – Grade 6 – Essential

• E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher.
• E2 Project or subject specific experience.
• E3 Experience of scientific writing.
• E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
• E5 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.

Experience – Grade 7 – Essential

• E6 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
• E7 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.
• E8 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.
• E9 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.
• E10 Experience in undertaking independent research.
• E11 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
• E12 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum pro rata.

This post is part-time (21 hours per week) and fixed term from 13th July 2026 until 4th May 2027.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1. A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2. An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension handbook and other benefits.
3. A flexible approach to working.
4. A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6‑month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.

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.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website for more information.

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