Senior Research Assistant
| Posting date: | 22 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £33,002 to £38,784 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 07 September 2025 |
| Location: | Hatfield, Hertfordshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | University of Hertfordshire |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | REQ000162 |
Summary
Post title: Senior Research Assistant
SBU/Department: School of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Clinical, Pharmacological and Biological Sciences
FTE: 0.6fte (working 22.5 hours per week)
Duration of Contract: Fixed term for 12 months
Salary: UH6 £33,002pa pro rata to £38,784pa pro rata by annual increments on achieving 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 seeking a talented and motivated researcher to join Dr Cristina Barrero-Sicilia’s team to explore novel strategies for enhancing photosynthesis in rice using biocompatible Quantum Dots (QDs) derived from agricultural waste.
The successful candidate will contribute to the investigation of plant molecular and physiological responses to environmental stimuli and innovations in sustainable agriculture. This particular project focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which QDs improve photosynthetic performance and influence biochemical and molecular pathways in rice. The aim is to contribute to the development of climate-resilient, yield-optimised rice varieties using nanobiotechnological approaches.
This is a multidisciplinary project at the interface of plant physiology, nanomaterials, and molecular biology, conducted in collaboration with colleagues at University of Putra Malaysia. The successful candidate will play a key role in addressing knowledge gaps around QD–plant interactions and optimising their application for enhanced photosynthesis in paddy fields.
More information about the team, research interests, and publications can be found here: [https://researchprofiles.herts.ac.uk/en/persons/cristina-barrero-sicilia].
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the research team in achieving specific project milestones. This support will include things like attending meetings, handling data collection and analysis, and proactive contributions to the design and organization of the project, whilst contributing to academic research papers and presentations.
As part of the role of senior research assistant you will be required to supervise undergrad and post-grad student projects closely linked to the research area, assist with collating and writing the final project reports and working papers and project administration and take an active part in the academic life of the school through participation in seminars and other events.
Skills and experience required
Experience working in a research team in a Higher Education Institution or in the public, voluntary or community sectors is essential for this role. You should have demonstrable research experience at undergraduate level, for example a final year project. You will have good IT skills, including the use of MS Office, with knowledge of appropriate databases for the discipline and ability to conduct literature searches in the discipline using appropriate electronic resources.
You will be able to work to tight deadlines, dealing with conflicting priorities working accurately under pressure with a methodical approach and attention to detail. You will be numerate and literate with accurate keyboard skills and the ability to collect, process and present data, supported by excellent interpersonal and presentation skills in spoken and written English.
You should be able to deal with sensitive material with strict confidentiality, possessing tact and diplomacy. You will work effectively within a team setting, adopting flexibility and adaptability to team and workload requirements. You should be able to demonstrate initiative and the ability to learn new skills, with a can-do attitude to problem solving.
Qualifications required
Educated with a minimum of a degree or equivalent level 6 qualification, or proven experience in a relevant field is essential for this role.
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.
We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.
Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Dr. Cristina Barrero Sicilia, Senior Lecturer. For informal enquiries, please contact: c.barrero-sicilia@herts.ac.uk
Closing Date: 07 September 2025
Interview Date: TBC
Reference Number: REQ000162
Date advert placed: 22 August 2025
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
Apply online at: https://ce0997li.webitrent.com/ce0997li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=26210100HV&VACANCY_ID=9816711E7g
SBU/Department: School of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Clinical, Pharmacological and Biological Sciences
FTE: 0.6fte (working 22.5 hours per week)
Duration of Contract: Fixed term for 12 months
Salary: UH6 £33,002pa pro rata to £38,784pa pro rata by annual increments on achieving 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 seeking a talented and motivated researcher to join Dr Cristina Barrero-Sicilia’s team to explore novel strategies for enhancing photosynthesis in rice using biocompatible Quantum Dots (QDs) derived from agricultural waste.
The successful candidate will contribute to the investigation of plant molecular and physiological responses to environmental stimuli and innovations in sustainable agriculture. This particular project focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which QDs improve photosynthetic performance and influence biochemical and molecular pathways in rice. The aim is to contribute to the development of climate-resilient, yield-optimised rice varieties using nanobiotechnological approaches.
This is a multidisciplinary project at the interface of plant physiology, nanomaterials, and molecular biology, conducted in collaboration with colleagues at University of Putra Malaysia. The successful candidate will play a key role in addressing knowledge gaps around QD–plant interactions and optimising their application for enhanced photosynthesis in paddy fields.
More information about the team, research interests, and publications can be found here: [https://researchprofiles.herts.ac.uk/en/persons/cristina-barrero-sicilia].
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the research team in achieving specific project milestones. This support will include things like attending meetings, handling data collection and analysis, and proactive contributions to the design and organization of the project, whilst contributing to academic research papers and presentations.
As part of the role of senior research assistant you will be required to supervise undergrad and post-grad student projects closely linked to the research area, assist with collating and writing the final project reports and working papers and project administration and take an active part in the academic life of the school through participation in seminars and other events.
Skills and experience required
Experience working in a research team in a Higher Education Institution or in the public, voluntary or community sectors is essential for this role. You should have demonstrable research experience at undergraduate level, for example a final year project. You will have good IT skills, including the use of MS Office, with knowledge of appropriate databases for the discipline and ability to conduct literature searches in the discipline using appropriate electronic resources.
You will be able to work to tight deadlines, dealing with conflicting priorities working accurately under pressure with a methodical approach and attention to detail. You will be numerate and literate with accurate keyboard skills and the ability to collect, process and present data, supported by excellent interpersonal and presentation skills in spoken and written English.
You should be able to deal with sensitive material with strict confidentiality, possessing tact and diplomacy. You will work effectively within a team setting, adopting flexibility and adaptability to team and workload requirements. You should be able to demonstrate initiative and the ability to learn new skills, with a can-do attitude to problem solving.
Qualifications required
Educated with a minimum of a degree or equivalent level 6 qualification, or proven experience in a relevant field is essential for this role.
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.
We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.
Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Dr. Cristina Barrero Sicilia, Senior Lecturer. For informal enquiries, please contact: c.barrero-sicilia@herts.ac.uk
Closing Date: 07 September 2025
Interview Date: TBC
Reference Number: REQ000162
Date advert placed: 22 August 2025
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
Apply online at: https://ce0997li.webitrent.com/ce0997li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=26210100HV&VACANCY_ID=9816711E7g
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