Graduate Research Assistant

The work undertaken by The James Hutton Group is at the top of the global agenda tackling problems such as the impact of climate change and threats to food, biodiversity, soils, and water security.

The Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences (SEGS) department includes researchers using a range of quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods, and often taking interdisciplinary and/or participatory perspectives. We seek to address major contemporary social and economic research challenges, including investigations of sustainable behaviours, place-based policy, natural resource governance, climate change, land use, natural capital and ecosystem services valuation, community vibrancy, and sustainability transitions.

Main Purpose of Job

We are seeking to appoint 4 Graduate Research Assistants to help us deliver a number of our ongoing projects across our research portfolio. This role is a six-month, developmental position – our aim is to enable you to gain valuable experience working on interdisciplinary projects in an applied research setting. You will have an opportunity to work within our research teams supporting delivery of a range of projects through data collection, analysis, and presentation of research findings. There will also be an opportunity to participate in and contribute to wider initiatives across the department.

This position would be ideal for someone with an undergraduate social science degree, who is considering a career in social research and is looking to develop their research skills and practice.

Main Duties of Postholder

• Provide support for, and undertake primary data collection (e.g. questionnaires, interviews, experiments, focus groups)
• Undertake literature reviews and background research
• Assist with data analysis (including use of software packages such as SPSS, RStudio, and NVivo) and the writing up of research for academic and non-academic audiences
• Support research data management (e.g. anonymisation; preparation of data for submission to open data repositories)
• Support research project administration
• Other duties as required

Education/Experience/Skills

Essential

• Bachelor’s (Honours) degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. social sciences, psychology, economics, human geography, anthropology, etc.)
• Experience in academic literature searching and reviewing
• Experience of collecting data for research projects
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• An interest in and familiarity with the research undertaken within the SEGS Department.
• Ability to work well as a member of a team
• An interest in supporting research relating to sustainability and environmental challenges.
• Fit with the ethos of the department and wider Institute
• Experience of working with MS Office (Word, Excel)

Desirable

• Familiarity with relevant data analysis methods (including use of relevant software e.g. NVivo/R/SPSS etc)
• An interest in interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary research
• An awareness of the open science movement, and an interest in applying open science principles within the social sciences

Additional notes/Requirements

• Interviews are likely to be held at the end of July or beginning of August, with an intended start date in September.
• Please apply with your CV and covering letter through the online application system.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact either [email protected] (Graduate Assistant co-ordinator) and [email protected] (Head of Department).

What We Offer

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.

Annual Leave – Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.

Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.

Self-managed hours and Flexible Working – option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.

We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.

The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Bronze Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.

The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.