Research Assistant

Research Assistant

Job Purpose

You will contribute to a project (‘Scotland Beyond Net Zero: A living lab approach to decarbonizing the Scottish festival sector - a case study of reusable cups and serveware’) working with Matt Brennan and Graeme Hunt in close collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University, DF Concerts & Events, and A Greener Future.  The postholder will work across the project partnership to co-design and deliver research into the use of reusable cups and serveware at Scottish music festivals. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as contribute to project coordination and planned publication activity, under the guidance of the project lead(s).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

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

1. Plan and conduct a comparative assessment of existing reusable cups and serveware systems in Scottish festivals.

2. Plan and conduct a survey of UK/Europe festivals sector current best practice regarding reusable cups and serveware.

3. Plan and conduct interviews with Scottish festival organisers to assess barriers to the use of reusables.

4. Co-design, alongside project partners, the living-lab data collection and evaluation framework.

5. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

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

7. 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.

8. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the project team.

9. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the project.

10. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the project lead.

Knowledge,Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in the creative industries, festival and event management, and/or environmental sustainability, or a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.

A2 Theoretical and practical knowledge of desk-based and social research mixed methods including literature reviews, surveys, and interviews.

A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism.

Desirable:

B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in a relevant field.

B2 Knowledge of CO2 emissions calculations in the events sector.

B3 Knowledge of conducting life cycle assessments.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Skills in carrying out research methods including literature reviews, surveys, and interviews, and analysing and writing up resulting data.

C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability.

C3 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.

C4 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

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

C6 Office 365 and data analysis/interpretation skills.

C7 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.

C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

C9 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher.

E2 Experience of applied research involving external stakeholders, and producing reports for non-academic audiences.

E3 Experience of research report writing.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Matt Brennan, [email protected]

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum pro rata.

This post is part time (14 hours per week) and fixed term for up to 16 weeks.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa route. Candidates must therefore have an existing right to work in the UK or be able to secure this independently prior to commencing employment. For further information on alternative immigration options, please visit University of Glasgow’s UKVI Website, https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/pod/visasimmigration/

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.

Closing date : 5 November 2026 @23:45