Research Assistant Uk Visa Sponsorship
Job Description
JOB SUMMARY
Job Purpose
We are looking for a motivated researcher with experience applying qualitative systems science (e.g., systems thinking, group model building, process tracing, contribution analysis, and future analysis approaches) to public health, social policy, and environmental sustainability studies.
Initially, the candidate will participate to two large-scale multidisciplinary research programmes: GALLANT is a £10.2 million NERC-funded research programme that collaborates with Glasgow City Council and other partners to maximise the health and social equity co-benefits of climate solutions deployed during the NetZero transition (i.e. “just transition” policies). The position holder will collaborate with our policy and practice partners to conduct research, with an emphasis on understanding policy levers and possibilities, as well as anticipating the intended and unexpected consequences of policies under consideration. Throughout the year, the postholder will have the opportunity to contribute to SIPHER, which focusses on the health equality implications of policies affecting people’s income and housing. SIPHER is in its final year of funding, therefore the emphasis is on advancing ongoing research and producing policy-relevant and formal academic results. More information on both programs can be found at the bottom of the job description.
You will have a solid expertise in systems techniques and extensive experience conveying research findings to a variety of academic and non-academic audiences. You will be able to exhibit interest in and awareness of the intersection between climate change, health inequities, and/or social justice issues, as well as engaging with practitioners or decision-makers in applied policy contexts.
The chosen candidate will also be expected to contribute to the development and submission of research articles and research proposals, as well as assist in managing and directing these complex and hard initiatives as opportunities arise.
Prof. Petra Meier, SIPHER Director and GALLANT co-leader, will oversee this fixed-term position. Informal enquiries are welcome at petra.meier@glasgow.ac.uk.
Main duties and responsibilities
Perform the following tasks in collaboration with and under the supervision of the Principal/Co Investigator:
1. Contribute to qualitative research aimed at understanding the systemic effects of environmental and social policy alternatives, including health and wellbeing outcomes, including disparities.
2. Contribute to applied and methodological study on the interactions of evolving health, environmental, social, and economic systems.
3. Create and document research outputs that support policy decision making, such as analysing and interpreting all data, keeping records and databases, and draughting technical/progress reports and papers as needed.
4. Develop and improve your research profile and reputation, as well as that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, by contributing to international quality publications in high-profile/quality refereed journals, increasing research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering esteem indicators.
5. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, as well as internal and external seminars, colloquia, and workshops, in order to develop and improve our research profile.
6. Help identify prospective funding sources and build bids to seek financing from internal and external agencies for future research.
7. Collaborate with colleagues and attend team/group/meetings/seminars/workshops throughout the research group/school/college/university and the larger community (partner organisations/stakeholders).
8. Help organise, supervise, mentor, and train undergraduate and/or postgraduate students, as well as less experienced members of the project team, to ensure their successful development.
9. Perform administrative tasks relating to the research group’s and School’s activities, such as budgeting and expenditure.
10. Involve non-academic audiences in your study, either as partners, participants, collaborators, or research users.
11. Contribute to the Unit’s public engagement and knowledge exchange initiatives to ensure that research evidence reaches and influences a diverse set of stakeholders.
12. Stay current on the latest developments in the field/discipline.
13. Participate in continuing professional development programs as needed, focussing on expanding existing techniques abilities.
14. Perform any other reasonable duties as assigned by the Head of School/Director of the Research Institute/Line Manager.
15. Contribute to the University’s international reputation in accordance with the Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.
Knowledge, qualifications, skills, and experience.
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
A1. SCQF Level 10 [Honours degree] in a relevant discipline.
A2. Expert theoretical and practical knowledge of qualitative systems science.
A3. A thorough and current understanding of public health, social science, environmental science, systems/complexity, or related fields.
A4. Familiarity with current concerns and future research directions in health disparities, social justice, and climate change mitigation/adaptation.
A5. Practical understanding of qualitative systems approaches (e.g., systems thinking, group model building, process tracing, contribution analysis, and future analysis methods).
Desirable
B1. An awarded [or recently submitted or near completion] PhD in topic specialisation, or equivalent.
B2. Prior study or experience with social, ecological, or public health systems research.
Skills
Essential
C1. Research inventiveness and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills.
C2. Excellent, confident communication abilities (oral and written), including report writing, briefings, presentations, and the ability to express difficult topics effectively and concisely to a wide range of audiences.
C3. Advanced organisational and dissemination skills, such as the ability to design effective seminars or dissemination events.
C4. Strong interpersonal skills, especially experience working with stakeholders and colleagues from other intellectual traditions.
C5. Effective workload, time, project, and people management skills.
C6. Self-motivation, initiative, and ability to think and work independently.
C7. Problem-solving abilities, including a flexible and pragmatic mindset.
Experience
Essential
E1. Sufficient relevant research experience [or equivalent] for an early career researcher.
E2. Experience in scientific writing, including an emerging track record of publications
Academic papers on a relevant subject.
E3. Demonstrated capacity to produce quality results in a timely and effective manner.
E4. Ability to demonstrate experience with effective teamwork.
E5. Experience engaging with policy stakeholders using system transformation, participatory mapping, or theory of change methodologies.
Desirable
F1. Previous experience working in interdisciplinary teams, particularly those that combine environmental, social, health, and/or economic sciences.
Additional information on GALLANT
Glasgow has set a goal of being climate resilient while also addressing long-standing social, health, and economic inequities. Frameworks like Doughnut Economics can help us think holistically about the interconnection of the ecological and social circumstances required for human thriving, and they make it clear how urgent it is to give a fully integrated response.
We have received significant money from NERC for a 5-year transdisciplinary research initiative (2022-2027) that will develop and implement action on the ground to transform the environmental, social, and economic dynamics of one of the UK’s largest cities and surroundings. The GALLANT project (Delivering a Climate Resilient City through City-University Partnership: Glasgow as a Living Lab Accelerating Novel Transformation) aims to develop whole-systems solutions for a just and sustainable transition at the city scale.
GALLANT’s central, cross-cutting workstream is focused on Systems Transformation, emphasising the significance of a coordinated response. This workstream collaborates with policy actors and stakeholders from key sectors of policy, society, and business, and using systems approaches to assist stakeholders in confronting the complexity of the situation and co-creating solutions. Following a year-long engagement process to create a Thriving Cities Portrait, Glasgow City its has established a set of ambitious Thriving Definitions to govern its operations. The postholder will lead the next step of the process, which will involve continuing to engage with researchers and stakeholders to develop theories of change, mapping ambitions to policy levers, strategies, and changemakers, and scientifically evaluating both change processes and progress towards climate resilience, health equity, and social wellbeing.
Additional facts on SIPHER
The £5 million UKPRP-funded SIPHER (2019-2025) project explores complex systems modelling to promote a health-in-all-policies approach. Up-to-date information, evidence, data, and modelling can assist decision-makers in exploring and anticipating the potential impacts of various policies and interventions, allowing them to make more informed decisions about which policies are most likely to accomplish the intended results.
Over the past five years, we have worked to better understand intervention systems in three areas: income, housing, and public mental health. We are collaborating with four policy partners (Sheffield City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Public Health Scotland, and the Scottish Government) and embedded researchers employed by our policy partner organisations to share our approach, develop and integrate SIPHER methods and insights into everyday policy development practice, and ensure our evidence is suitable for use in decision-making processes.
The postholder will contribute to the critical final phase of SIPHER, which will focus on 1) formalising our learning about policy systems and sharing this learning in academic and policy-facing outputs and presentations, 2) creating legacy by ensuring effective transfer into policy settings and to researchers who wish to adopt our data products, methods, and tools into new research projects, and 3) developing spin-off grants in systems science in public health/poli
Terms & Conditions.
The annual salary for Grade 6 will be £32,332 – £36,024.
This position is full-time and has funding until July 31, 2026.
As a member of Team UofG, you will be part of a globally changing, inclusive community that values ambition, excellence, integrity, and curiosity.
The University of Glasgow is responsible for ensuring that all personnel are eligible to reside and work in the UK. If you need a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you must first complete the visa route’s eligibility conditions before being awarded a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please keep in mind that if tradeable points are allowed under the Skilled Worker visa criteria, this post may be eligible for sponsorship. For further information, go to https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a respected part of our team, you should expect:
1 A friendly and engaging organisational culture in which your skills are fostered and cultivated, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An good employment package with generous terms and conditions, including 41 days of leave for full-time employees, a pension (pension handbook: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/), benefits, and discount packages.
3. A flexible approach to employment.
4 A commitment to your health and well-being, including a complimentary 6-month UofG Sport membership for all incoming University personnel (https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/).
We think that we can only attain our greatest potential by combining the talents of everyone. Our ideals prioritise equality, diversity, and inclusion. Applications are encouraged from all members of our communities, particularly those from the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) populations, as well as those with other protected characteristics who are under-represented at the University. Read more about how the University encourages and integrates all aspects of equality and diversity into our community at https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We support the concepts of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and have bronze, silver, and gold awards throughout the University.
We are investing in our company, and we will also invest in you. More information can be found on our website at https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs.
