Application closing date: 05/01/2020
Salary: £26,715 - £31,865 per annum (Grade 4) (pro rata)
Package: Excellent benefits package

Job description

Research Assistant, School of Applied Sciences - Part time, 0.5 FTE, 1 Year FTC

We are currently looking for a Research Assistant to join our School of Applied Sciences on an 18-month part time contract. The successful candidate will contribute to a new research project 'local roots and global branches' funded by the Natural Environment Research Council.

The 'Local Roots Project' will provide research and policy guidance on how to incorporate Blue Carbon (specifically from mangroves but potentially from other blue carbon ecosystems) into nationally determined contributions (NDC's) to climate change. It will consider how successful established local carbon projects can best be accommodated in a national framework and how these experiences can be shared internationally, with focus on Kenya as a case study. The staging of the conference of the parties (COP) meeting in Glasgow in 2020 will provide a strong policy focus. The project is being implemented by Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute in Kenya. We are looking for a high calibre, self-motivated and experienced researcher with postgraduate expertise in relevant fields such as blue carbon and environmental policy, who will work with an international team on this high profile policy area.

With over 19,500 students and 1500 staff, Edinburgh Napier University is a leading, modern university with a reputation and impact that stretches far beyond our shores. We are an inclusive University with strong links to industry and are clear that it is our 'applied' focus that sets us apart. Our strategy is set around four key pillars of growing our academic reputation, delivering an excellent personalised student experience, internationalising our work, and building innovation, enterprise and citizenship. It is an exciting place to work with a clear growth agenda.

The role

Main responsibilities will include helping in day to day running of the projects, literature searching, policy document searching and analysis, data analysis, report writing and preparation of papers for different audiences, including academics, the public and policy makers.

Who we are looking for

Educated at least to degree (and preferably to postgraduate) level, you will be able to demonstrate strong experience in research and the planning of research projects, ideally in the area of science/policy interface or blue carbon. You should be able to maintain consistently high standards of research, confidently able to assemble, sort, analyse and interpret project data, and to present it in an appropriate form. In addition, you will be a good team member, whilst also able to work on your own initiative. You will be expected to work mostly in Scotland but should be willing to travel, if necessary, for project meetings.

For a detailed list of the requirements, you can read the full role profile here.

Benefits we offer

Salary: GBP 26,243 - GBP 31,302 per annum (Grade 4) (pro rata)

Further information about our benefits can be found here 

Additional information

Application closing date: Sunday 5 January 2020 (Midnight)

Interviews will be held on Thursday 16 January 2020

Informal enquiries about this position may be made to Mark Huxham - M.Huxham@napier.ac.uk

The University is committed to inclusion, demonstrated through our work in respect of our diversity awards and accreditations (Advance HE's Athena SWAN Charter) and hold Disability Confident, Career Positive and Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champion status. More details can be found here.