Research Assistant Analysis and Dissemination of Social Science

14898BR

Welsh School of Architecture

Research

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Research Assistant: Analysis and dissemination of social science
Welsh School of Architecture (WSA), Cardiff University

The Low Carbon Built Environment (LCBE) project is part of SPECIFIC (Sustainable Product Engineering Centre for Innovation in Functional Coatings) which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, by Innovate UK and EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council).
The SPECIFIC 2 Operation, led by Swansea University, is addressing the challenge of low carbon electricity and heat by enabling buildings to generate, store and release their own energy, in one system. LCBE (Low Carbon Built Environment) was one of the research themes within the LCRI (Low Carbon Research Institute) Convergence Energy Programme and has continued to be led by the WSA, Cardiff University as part of the SPECIFIC 2 Operation.
An interdisciplinary team at the WSA have spent the past 6 years planning, designing, demonstrating and monitoring a combination of new-to-the-market low carbon energy technologies within the built environment that significantly contribute towards carbon reductions and stimulate Welsh low carbon technology supply chain. Replicable and appropriate technologies have been installed in properties and evidence is being generated through monitoring to understand their performance in practice. Occupants have been engaged the process from design to operation and a range of data has been collected from questionnaires, surveys and monitoring equipment.

The post holder will contribute to research within the areas of social science and dissemination to promote the LCBE component of the SPECIFIC 2 programme. The post holder will also pursue excellence in research and inspire others to do the same.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during August, definite dates will be provided after shortlisting.

For informal enquiries about the role and the Welsh School of Architecture, please contact:

• Dr Joanne Patterson, [email protected] or Emmanouil Perisoglou, ([email protected]) 

For further details about working in Cardiff University please visit the Cardiff University Website http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/

This post is available immediately on a full time (35 hours per week) basis and is fixed term until 31st March 2023. Applications for a flexible working or job share arrangements will also be considered.

Salary:   £27,924 - £32,344 per annum (Grade 5). We do not anticipate an appointment being made above point 26, £30,497 per annum.

Date advert posted: Monday, 8 August 2022

Closing date: Monday, 22 August 2022

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

“Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”  

Job Description

Main tasks
•    Undertake data processing and analysis of social data collected throughout the planning to operational stages of the LCBE demonstration buildings/communities where low carbon systems have been installed including experiments /field work/desktop research/questionnaires. This will include data processing and analysis of building occupant data to be collated with building performance, technology performance, system performance and building modelling results. 

•    Present results in an appropriate and informative manner for a broad audience including. This material will be prepared with guidance from LCBE colleagues. 

•    To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.

•    Assist with the preparation of a range of dissemination materials focussing on social science outcomes but aligned with wider results from across the project with guidance from senior team members. This material will be targeted at a broad range of stakeholders include social housing, the supply chain and local and national Government disseminated through written and online media to provide evidence for wider stakeholders and future projects. It will include the preparation of visuals and written work using appropriate packages such as MS Office systems, web and desktop publishing software.

•    Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners.
•    Contribute and support research funding bids as required.

•    To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting

•    Contribute and support the development of research publications and presentations as required.

•    Maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

•    Generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate

•    To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team

Other
•    Undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to, and which will, enhance performance.

•    Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.

•    Participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.

•    To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity

•    Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1.    A degree in a relevant discipline such as social sciences.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    Knowledge of research methods and techniques and/or industrial experience within the field of social sciences associated with the built environment and/or energy use/efficiency.
3.    Proven ability to obtain and analyse complex data, summarise appropriately and present it for an appropriate audience.
4.    Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be help develop applications to funding bodies.

Communication and Team Working
5.    Proven excellent communication skills, particularly written work using appropriate language for a range of stakeholders.
6.    Excellent organisational and team-working skills.

Other
7.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within a work environment.
8.    Demonstration of excellent oral, writing, grammar and editing skills, illustrating a critical attention to detail.
9.    Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria

10.    Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.
11.    Evidence of collaboration with non-academic organisations.
12.    Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
13.    A willingness to take responsibility for academically related administration.

Additional Information

The Welsh School of Architecture

The Welsh School of Architecture (WSA) is consistently ranked amongst the top schools of architecture in published UK and Worldwide league tables and has been ranked within the top 50 of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Rankings for the past 5 consecutive years.

The WSA also achieved the highest possible score for our research environment in the 2021 REF (Research Excellence Framework) 100% of which is considered conducive to producing research of world-leading quality. Additionally, 100% of our impact case studies and 93% of our outputs were assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent, placing us 4th in the UK for Architecture, the Built Environment and Planning.
Our research underpins the BSc and MArch degree programmes as well as the specialisms we teach through advanced Masters programmes that cater to graduates across the broad spectrum of built environment professions. We set high standards for our students and expect great things from them, this is why we stand by the quality of our graduates and are proud of what they achieve.

The distinctiveness of this School lies in its tradition of combining creativity with the understanding needed to realise designs through practice, its reputation for high quality research, the calibre of its staff and in its unique location in a friendly, liveable and affordable capital city that is a gateway to the stunning landscape of Wales.

Important note: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 14898BR.

Job Category

Academic - Research