Research Associate on the Student-Centred Design at the University of Manchester Research Project

Job reference: HUM-024702

Salary: £39,592 per annum

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Humanities

Location: Oxford Road

Employment type: Fixed Term

Division/Team: SEED Administration

Hours Per Week: Full Time

Closing date: 13/03/2024

Contract Duration: From 1 April 2024 for 24 months

School/Directorate: School of Environment, Education & Development

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The Faculty of Humanities (http://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/ ) is made up of four Schools: Environment, Education and Development; Social Sciences; Arts, Language andCultures; and the Alliance Manchester Business School. With 36 discipline areas, a total income over £230m per annum, over 16,800 students, some 1290 academic and 680 professional support staff, the Faculty is equivalent to a medium-sized university in the UK. REF 2014 results confirmed The Faculty and the University of Manchester as a genuine international powerhouse, with exceptional performances in a wide range of disciplines
(http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/ref-2014 ).

The University of Manchester is inviting applications for the position of Research Associate in the field of Student-centred Design. This role offers an opportunity for an individual with expertise in person-centred design, facilitation, and evaluation to further understanding of higher education and student experience enhancement. As person-centred design methodologies gain traction in UK higher education, this role will explore how these approaches can be leveraged to enrich university education and student life.

The research project, "Student-centred Design at the University of Manchester," is led by Professor Sarah Dyer, Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning (Flexible and Distance Learning) within the Faculty of Humanities. Professor Dyer has a track record of collaborating with person-centred designers to lead and assess educational enhancement projects. This includes initiatives like the "Innovation Lab," a 10-week program for academics and students conducted during her tenure as Director of the Exeter Education Incubator. Additionally, she recently secured an Advance HE Collaboration grant to explore the processes and values of Design Thinking within the context of the UK Professional Standards Framework, facilitating educators' practical adoption of Design Thinking.

This research associate will work on the university-funded ‘Student-centred design at the University of Manchester’ project. We are seeking a design researcher who is a confident and experienced facilitator. They will undertake and evaluate design interventions with the aim of enhancing students’ education and experience. The successful candidate will be based in the Manchester Instiute of Education and have the opportunity to work with wider networks of others interested in person-centred design in universities.

Please refer to the job description for full details of the role including Key responsibilities, accountabilities, and duties and for Essential and desirable skills, knowledge and qualities. Informal inquiries may be made to Professor Sarah Dyer at [email protected] .

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.  All appointments are made on merit and will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Blended working arrangements may be considered               

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Sarah Dyer

Email: [email protected]

General enquiries:

Email: [email protected]

Technical support:

Jobtrain: 0161 850 2004

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.