Research Assistant

Job Purpose

We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher with experience of applying qualitative systems science (e.g. systems thinking, group model building, process tracing, contribution analysis, future analysis methods) to public health, social policy and environmental sustainability research.

In the first instance, the candidate will contribute to two large-scale interdisciplinary research programmes: GALLANT is a £10.2 Million NERC-funded research programme that works closely with Glasgow City Council and other partners to help maximise health and social equity co-benefits from climate solutions implemented during the transition to NetZero (i.e. policies in the “just transition” space). The post holder will be co-producing research with our policy and practice partners, with a focus on understanding policy levers, opportunities, and anticipating the intended and unintended effects of policies under consideration. In the year, the postholder will also have the opportunity to contribute to SIPHER, which focuses on the health equity impacts of policies that affect people’s income and housing. SIPHER is in its final year of funding, so the focus is on supporting the delivery of research that is currently underway, and the production of policy-facing and formal academic outputs. Further information on both programmes is provided at the bottom of the Job Description.

You will have a strong background in systems approaches and significant experience of communicating research findings to a range of academic and non-academic audiences. You will be able to demonstrate interest in and awareness of the nexus of climate change, health inequalities and/or social justice issues and will have engaged with practitioners or decision-makers in applied policy contexts

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct these complex and challenging projects as opportunities allow.

This fixed-term post will be line managed by Prof Petra Meier, SIPHER Director and GALLANT co-lead. Informal enquiries are welcome: [email protected]

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator:

1. Contribute to qualitative research that seeks to understand the systemic impacts of environmental and social policy options, especially health and wellbeing outcomes, including inequalities.

2. Contribute to applied and methodological research into the links between changing health, environmental, social and economic systems.

3. Produce and document research outputs that support policy decision making, including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

4. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

5. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6. Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

7. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community (partner organisations/stakeholders).

8. Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

9. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

10. Engage non-academic audiences in or with your research – as partners, participants, collaborators and research users.

11. Contribute to the Unit’s public engagement and knowledge exchange activities to ensure research evidence reaches and influences a broad range of stakeholders.

12. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

13. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate, in particular seeking to expand existing methods skills.

14. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute/Line manager.

15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1. SCQF Level 10 [Honours degree] in a relevant subject.

A2. Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of qualitative systems science.

A3. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of public health, social science, environmental science, systems/complexity or related disciplines.

A4. Familiarity with current issues and future research directions related to health inequalities, social justice and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

A5. Applied knowledge of qualitative systems methodologies (e.g. systems thinking, group model building, process tracing, contribution analysis, future analysis methods).

Desirable

B1. An awarded [or recently submitted or near completion] PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

B2. Prior study or work in social, ecological or public health systems research.

Skills

Essential

C1. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability.

C2. Excellent, confident communication skills (oral and written), including report writing, briefings, presentations and ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.

C3. Highly developed organisation and dissemination skills, e.g. planning of successful workshops or dissemination events.

C4. Excellent interpersonal skills including experience of working with stakeholders and colleagues from different thought traditions.

C5. Appropriate workload/time/project/people management skills.

C6. Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.

C7. Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

Experience

Essential

E1. Sufficient relevant research experience [or equivalent] appropriate to an early career researcher.

E2. Experience of scientific writing, including an emerging track record of published

academic articles in a relevant field.

E3. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E4. Ability to demonstrate experience of effective teamwork.

E5. Experience of working with policy stakeholders, using system transformation, participatory mapping or theory of change-type methods

Desirable

F1. Prior experience working in interdisciplinary teams, especially those spanning environmental, social, health and/or economic sciences.

Additional information on GALLANT

Glasgow has set itself the goal to become climate resilient whilst at the same time alleviating deep-rooted social, health and economic inequalities. Frameworks such as Doughnut Economics are useful in helping us think holistically about the interconnectedness between the ecological and social conditions required for human thriving and leave no-one in doubt about the urgency to provide a fully joined-up response.

We have secured major funding from NERC for a 5-year transdisciplinary programme of research (2022-2027) that is designing and implementing action on the ground to transition the environmental, social, and economic dynamics of one of the UK’s largest cities and surroundings. Called GALLANT (Delivering a Climate Resilient City through City-University Partnership: Glasgow as a Living Lab Accelerating Novel Transformation) we aim to develop whole-systems solutions for a just and sustainable transition delivered at the city scale.

Emphasising the importance of a joined-up response, GALLANT has a central, cross-cutting workstream focussed on Systems Transformation. This workstream engages with policy actors and stakeholders across relevant sectors of policy, society and business, and uses systems methodologies to support stakeholders in engaging with the complexity of the challenge to co-create solutions. As a result of a year-long engagement process to develop a Thriving Cities Portrait, Glasgow City Council has adopted a set of ambitious Thriving Definitions to guide council activities. The next step of the process, which the postholder will play a leading role in, will be to continue the engagement with researchers and stakeholders to develop theories of change, map ambitions to policy levers, strategies and changemakers and scientifically evaluate both change processes and progress towards climate resilience, health equity and social wellbeing.

Additional information on SIPHER

UKPRP-funded £5m SIPHER (2019-2025) develops complex systems modelling to support a health in all policies approach. Up-to date understanding, evidence, data, and modelling can help decision-makers to explore and anticipate the possible outcomes of different policies and interventions, to make better informed choices about which policies would most likely achieve the desired outcomes.

Over the past five years we have worked to understand the intervention systems in three areas: policies that affect income, housing, and public mental health. We are working with four policy partners (Sheffield City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government), with embedded researchers employed by our policy partner organisations, sharing our approach, developing and integrating SIPHER methods and insights into everyday policy development practice and ensuring our evidence is suitable to use in decision-making processes.

The postholder will contribute to the critical final phase of SIPHER which will focus on 1) formalising our learning about the policy systems and sharing this learning in academic and policy-facing outputs and presentations, 2) creating legacy by ensuring effective transfer into policy settings and to researchers who wish to adopt our data products, methods and tools into new research projects and 3) developing spin-off grants in the systems science in public health/policy space.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £32,332 - £36,024 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding until 31 July 2026.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.