Research Assistant

18132BR

Welsh School of Architecture

Research

Advert

Research Assistant in indoor air quality and the health and well-being of residents
Welsh School of Architecture

The Welsh School of Architecture of Cardiff University is currently seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join our team and work with Dr Satish BK on a recently funded EPSRC-IAA project focusing on user behaviour and its impact on the indoor air quality and the health and well-being of ethnic minorities. This project will disseminate research findings to help housing associations better understand how the way ethnic minority householders live impacts the indoor home environment. This RA post will focus on developing a ‘good practice guide’ co-designed with the housing association (Cardiff Council) and residents through a series of workshops and data collected in case study houses.

The ideal RA candidate will hold a degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience (essential) and a postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion/submission) (desirable) in a relevant subject area such as Architecture, social-cultural anthropology, geography, environmental engineering, and science or any related field. They will have a background in mixed-methodology research (Environmental Science; data collection & analysis and Social Science; working with the community engaging residents in workshops). They will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. The RA will be well versed in graphic skills to develop the ‘good practice guide’ to communicate the outcome of engagement events. 

For informal enquiries about the role and the Welsh School of Architecture, please contact Dr Satish BK, [email protected]  

This part-time position (17.5 hours per week) is available in February 2024 and is fixed term for 7 months. Applications for flexible working or job share arrangements will also be considered. 

Salary:
£32,332 - £34,980 per annum, pro-rata for hours worked (Grade 5)  

How to apply:
In your application form or cover letter – please address how you meet the person specification criteria as identified in the job description and submit a full CV.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Closing date: Thursday, 22 February 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

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:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

To contribute to research within the area of indoor air quality and the health and well-being of residents specialist area, carrying out supporting work that helps disseminate research findings and engage in research activities  leading to  to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities 
•    To undertake research, e.g. by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of workshops and outreach event field work.
•    interact with and coordinate stakeholder activities, which includes Residents, Housing Councils, Cardiff Council and Welsh Government. /desktop research/questionnaires (delete as appropriate)
•    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
•    To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required
•    To contribute and support research funding bids as required
•    To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages
To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
•    To 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
•    To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

Other
•    To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
•    To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
•    To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
•    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, or equivalent experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. Knowledge of mixed-methodology research (Environmental Science; data collection & analysis and Social Science; working with the community engaging residents in workshops).
3. Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately

4. Knowledge  of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies  

Communication and Team Working
5. Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences

6. Excellent organisational and team-working skills

Other
7.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work

Desirable Criteria

1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
2. Relevant professional qualification(s)
3. Evidence of collaborations with industry.
4. Proven ability to work without close supervision
5. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community. 

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 4 consecutive years.

The WSA also had 90% of its research impact judged as outstanding (4*) in the 2014 REF (Research Excellence Framework). This placed us at the top of the table for impact in the assessment panel for Architecture, 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.

Job Category

Academic - Research