Postgraduate Research Associate (6337)

Postgraduate Research Associate

Faculty/Department

Department of Life Sciences

Salary Scale

£33,001.64 - £38,784.49 per annum (pro rata)

Contract Type

Fixed Term

Duration

01/11/2026 - 31/03/2027

Full-time / Part-time

Part-Time

Weekly Hours

18.25

Employment Visa

Non-sponsorable

Posted Date

22/10/2026

Closing Date

01/11/2026

Ref No

6337

Documents

• DLS.26.6337 Disgrifiad Swydd (Word, 1075.64kb)
• DLS.26.6337 Job Description (Word, 1077.37kb)
  
  

Job Description

The Role

What you’ll do

Who You Are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge And Skills Required

How to apply

Benefits

Employment Visa

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and enthusiastic Post-Graduate Research Associate on a new project ‘Expansion of cultivated meat research at Aberystwyth University: encompassing texture and accelerating research for economic benefit in Wales’ funded by the Welsh Government. The project seeks to explore the expansion of current cultivated meat research at Aberystwyth through the use of edible scaffolds, 3D bioprinting and AI-Machine Learning (AI-ML) driven methods to create high-throughput research pipelines.

To make an informal enquiry, please contact Dr Ruth Wonfor at rec21@aber.ac.uk.

Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date.

What you’ll do

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

The role will largely be desk based to complete a review of the current literature and industry needs to identify gaps in current knowledge, leading to the production of an Innovation plan and target areas for follow on funding or commercialisation. The role will also have some lab work in our cell culture lab to produce proof of concept data of the growth of primary bovine satellite cells on 3D bioprinted scaffolds.

The PGRA post will be based in the Department of Life Sciences in Dr Ruth Wonfor’s research group, but will also require collaboration with Prof Tossapon Boongoen in the Department of Computer Science. The project includes collaboration with a Welsh based biotech company, Copner Biotech, who the post-holder will be expected to develop a good working relationship with. There will also be opportunities to connect with other companies in the cultivated meat space to network with experts in the field whilst gaining an overview of current industry needs.

The project will be completed over 5 months and is expected to have a full time PGRA post. However, due to the nature of the project encompassing two diverse fields around cell culture/scaffolds and AI-ML, we are open to appointing two individuals on a part time basis to ensure delivery of the diverse aims.

Main Duties And Responsibilities:

• Complete a literature review of the academic and wider industry literature around edible scaffolds and 3D bioprinting and AI-ML for cultivated meat
• Support development of a professional network with industry collaborators and academic experts to foster future collaborations.
• Partake in site visits to external companies or academic institutes to assess technologies used and discuss data requirements.
• Undertake cell culture studies to assess attachment and proliferation of primary bovine satellite cells on selected edible scaffolds produced by an external company.
• Undertake ordering of lab consumables and supplies, whilst monitoring budget spend
  
  

Other Duties And Responsibilities:

• Undertake other duties as assigned by your line manager, commensurate with the role's grade.
• Engage in university-level projects and initiatives as directed, and undertake any additional duties commensurate with the role, as assigned by the line manager.
• Demonstrate flexibility by supporting colleagues during periods of high demand, including attendance at key university events such as open days and graduation ceremonies which may include weekend work.
• Promote equality of opportunity, and to support and uphold the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work.
• To support the university strategy and underlining plans, engage in continuous personal and professional development in line with the demands of the role, including undertaking relevant training and development activities to develop yourself and support the development of others.
• Fulfil health and safety responsibilities appropriate to the role, while actively promoting the personal health, safety, and wellbeing of staff and students as a member of the Aberystwyth community. Additionally, support the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability through responsible practices and engagement.
  
  

The above does not represent an exhaustive list of duties associated with this role.

Essential

Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required

• Masters or post-graduate qualification in a relevant subject area e.g. cell biology, biological sciences, tissue engineering, computer science.
• Demonstrable experience working in mammalian cell culture and utilising aseptic techniques (if a job share, this is not required for the individual covering the AI-ML).
• Ability to diligently follow defined methodologies, troubleshoot and update protocols effectively.
• Attention to detail to ensure accurate and reliable data production and literature synthesis.
• Ability to deliver tasks in a timely manner.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work effectively as a part of a team.
• Ability to work with external industry partners.
• Organisational skills, with an ability to multitask and work independently on defined tasks.
• IT and data management skills in spreadsheets/databases and word processing.
• An ability to understand the bilingual nature of the University and an awareness of the procedures in place to support working bilingually.
  
  

Desirable

• Prior experience of working in cultivated meat and/or AI-ML.
• Good knowledge of laboratory health and safety and waste management procedures.
• Experience of working on downstream cell analyses, such as immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, cell cytotoxicity.
• Ability to work flexibly with changes in research priorities.
• Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level A1*
• More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:
  
  

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/

How to apply

To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.

Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Benefits

• Flexible working policy
• Hybrid Working
• 36.5 – hour week for full-time roles
• Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
• Commitment to Professional Development
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
• Staff recognition and reward schemes
• Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
• Staff relocation bursary
• Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
• Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.
  
  

Please keep reading

Aberystwyth University generally supports hybrid working, allowing a mix of office-based and remote working for suitable roles to enhance flexibility and productivity. Job descriptions typically detail a primary work location alongside opportunities for flexible, remote, or home-based work, subject to service needs and manager approval.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.

We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Employment Visa

Under the UK Government’s points-based system scheme, this role does not meetthe criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University (AU) for a Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.