Research Associate

This post will contribute to the joint research goals of the “Understanding the Person in Context” (WP4) and “Integrated Technologies of Care” (WP6) Work Packages within the Advanced Care Research Centre (ACRC) at the University of Edinburgh. The post-holder will work across the School of Informatics and the Advanced Care Research Centre, with a base in both spaces.

This full-time position is fixed term until 31st  December 2025 at Grade UE07 - £37,099 – £44,263 per annum. (A revised salary range for this grade of £39,347 to £46,974 is planned to take effect from Spring 2024).

Informal enquiries to be directed to Prof. Jacques Fleuriot ([email protected] ), Prof. Jane Hillston ([email protected] ), Prof. John Vines ([email protected] ) or Prof. Heather Wilkinson ([email protected] ).

The post holder will drive the people-centred aspects of our research programme. More specifically, in collaboration with the other WP4 and WP6 researchers, they will work with end-users (people in later-life, formal and informal carers, care services users, and other key user stakeholders) to uncover the barriers to i) the use of our developed and deployed devices (e.g., novel sensors), data and AI-based decision support tools in the care of the person in later life, and ii) the opportunities these technologies provide to support ‘ageing in place’.

This will involve helping with the implementation of various research protocols for data collection with end-users as the work on the technologies of care moves into its real-world deployment phase.

The post holder will work closely with colleagues in WP4 whilst being responsible for the qualitative evaluation of care technologies developed in WP6. They will collaborate with other WP6 researchers on their quantitative evaluation too, using data collected by our sensing platform.

The overall aim is to conduct research focused on the use and experiences of our novel integrated care technologies in context. The post holder will develop an evidence-base to help us understand the potential of these technologies to enhance the ability of older adults to live independently and comfortably in their own homes or communities as they age, and to intelligently support their care needs and well-being.

Essential skills for success:

• PhD (or near completion) in human-computer interaction, interaction design, science and technology studies, or related subject.
• Demonstrable knowledge of qualitative methodologies and experience of conducting qualitative research in and with communities.
• Experience of mixed-methods research and integrating qualitative and quantitative data.
• Experience of utilising user-centred research approaches in computer science and/or engineering research.
• Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, data-science techniques.
• Knowledge of design-related research methods and approaches.
• Experience of working in interdisciplinary research environments, especially at the intersection of social, technical and design perspectives on technology development and deployment.
• Demonstrated high quality of research through publication.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly, orally and in writing.

The following criteria are not yes/no factors, but questions of degree. Recruitment will aim at selecting those candidates with the best possible performance in all these criteria.

• Software and/or Systems Engineering experience.
• Experience of and/or expertise in design and evaluation of care technologies for later life and ageing, and their deployment.

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The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. Is e buidheann carthannais a th’ ann an Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann, clàraichte an Alba, àireamh clàraidh SC005336.