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13168 - Research Assistant

Job details
Posting date: 06 October 2025
Salary: £34,610 to £39,906 per year, pro rata
Hours: Part time
Closing date: 20 October 2025
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Remote working: On-site only
Company: University of Edinburgh
Job type: Contract
Job reference: 13168

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Summary

Grade UE06: £34,610 to £39,906 per annum pro rata

CSE / School of Biological Sciences / Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences

Part time: 21 hours per week

Fixed Term: 1st November 2028



We are looking for a research assistant to lead efforts to generate 3D reconstructions of fossil plants to characterise the evolution of phyllotaxis. The project is based in the lab of Dr Sandy Hetherington (The Molecular Palaeobotany and Evolution Group https://www.ed.ac.uk/biology/groups/hetherington) in the Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences.



The Opportunity:

The aim for the project is to characterise the evolution of phyllotaxis in Early Carboniferous fossil plants from Scotland. This will require creating new 3D reconstructions of fossil plants from CT data and manipulating these datasets to investigate leaf arrangement. Alongside this role the candidate will also work closely with other lab members who are generating 3D reconstructions to provide advice, support and training on computer software for 3D segmentation.



Your skills and attributes for success:

A degree in appropriate subject area or experience of 3D segmentation and visualisation.
Experience of generating 3D digital reconstructions of plants.
Experience manipulating 3D reconstructions for phyllotaxis analysis.
A passion for working in a team, providing advice, support and training for digital segmentation and visualisation.

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