Research Associate

Job Purpose
To make a leading contribution to a project Glasgow as a Living Lab Accelerating Novel Transformation (GALLANT) (P-I Prof. Jamie Toney), Work Package 1, ‘Flood Adaptation and Creation of Riverscapes' (Work Package),  working with Dr Giedre Jokubauskaite (Line Manager), Prof. Larissa Naylor and Dr Martin Hurst (Co-Leads of the Work Package) and the rest of the Work Package team. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research impact as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging Work Package as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the deliverables of the Work Package.  In particular, the Research Associate will:

a.  Study, document and analyse lessons learned from the two climate adaptation interventions in Edinburgh (Granton waterfront) and London (River Thames) by using semi-structured interviews and other qualitative research methods.

b. Building on the two case studies, and based on the analysis of the flood risk and adaptation mechanisms for River Clyde and beyond (e.g. Team 2100, Strategic Drainage Partnership, Climate Ready Clyde, Clyde Marine Partnership), identify effective and equitable governance arrangements and pathways for climate adaptation and flood risk management at a regional and/or at a river basin scale.

c. Building on the case studies and an in-depth understanding of the regional governance arrangements, study higher levels of governance (UK, Scotland) to identify pathways for effective flood/erosion risk and adaptation.

2.  Document research outputs including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
3.  Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow and the Work Package, 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.
4.  Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
5.  Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
6.  Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the Work Package and wider community (e.g. the GALLANT project, Academic and Industrial Partners). In particular, the Research Associate will work with the modelling team of the Work Package, and with the Work Stream 1 of the GALLAN project (Systems Science) to understand flood risk and nature-based solutions for flood hazards on the River Clyde and how those anticipated hazards can influence future governance arrangements to ensure climate resilient development on the Rive Clyde (prior experience working with modelling teams is not required or expected).
7.   Take a leading role in organising team/group meetings/seminars/workshops with stakeholders at different levels (Glasgow City Council, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, etc.) and other research activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the of the Work Package and the GALLANT project.
8.   Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the Work Package, including Budgets/Expenditure.
9.   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.
10. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
11. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
12. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Line Manager and the Leads of the Work Package.
13.Contribute to the enhancement of the University's international profile in line with the University's Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential 
A1.Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in a relevant academic discipline (e.g. Political Science, Anthropology, Environmental Law, Development Studies, Human Geography, Planning, or other related fields), or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
A2 comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism
A3 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient doctoral or postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

Skills 

Essential:
C1 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design and drafting of papers.
C2 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

Desirable:
D1.A knowledge of environmental/climate/development/planning governance in Scotland/UK through relevant research and/or in practice.

Experience 

Essential: 
E1.Experience of conducting research on the issues of environmental and/or climate governance
E2.Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities and/or demonstrable experience of research leadership (e.g. coordinating research activities, sessions at conferences).
E3.Experience in undertaking independent research.

Desirable: 
F1.Experience of working with non-academic stakeholders, e.g. conducting research involving practitioners across sectors.
F2.Experience interpreting environmental risk analysis.
F3.Experience working in interdisciplinary research teams.

Informal enquiries about the role are welcomed, and should be addressed to Dr Giedre Jokubauskaite, [email protected]

It is an anticipated that interviews will be held at the end of March.

Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term for up to 2 years 9 months.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

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 - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
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  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. 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. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ 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 https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.