Research Fellow, 'Fixing the Future: The Right to Repair and Equal-IoT'

Job title: Research Fellow - Part Time (0.5 FTE), Fixed Term (until 30 Sept 24)

Job reference: 0000019989

Date posted: 21/03/2023

Application closing date: 18/04/2023

Salary: £34,308 - £40,931 per annum, pro rata (Grade 5)

Package: Excellent benefits including hybrid/flexible working, 20.8% employer pension contributions, min 46 days annual leave (pro rata) and much more.

Contractual hours: 17.5

Basis: Part Time

Job description
Research Fellow – Part Time (0.5 FTE), Fixed Term (until 30 Sept 2024) 

We’re looking for a Research Fellow to join an ongoing 2-year £1.2million interdisciplinary research project “Fixing the Future: The Right to Repair and Equal-IoT” funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. 
 
The project will investigate how the lack of repairability in the consumer Internet of Things (IoT) will adversely impact citizen inclusion, cybersecurity, and sustainability in the digital economy. Our programme of research explores how to build more equitable IoT devices that redress poor long-term cybersecurity, exploitative uses of data, and lacking environmental sustainability that define the current IoT. 
 
This is an excellent opportunity to work with academics from various Universities including Edinburgh, Nottingham, Lancaster, and Napier, across a wide range of expertise (law, ethics, computing, human computer interaction, design, and digital humanities). 
 
The project will also work closely with our project partners including repair communities (The Making Rooms, Blackburn), consumer rights groups (Which?), artists (Rachel Jacobs/Active Ingredient), government bodies (Canadian Government) and cybersecurity firms (NCC Group). 
 
The Role 
 
You will join our Edinburgh Napier University team to contribute to the creation of the Equal-IoT Toolkit as part of the effort to disseminate the output of the project. You will also have the opportunity to work with the wider research team in their activities to support the project as a whole. 
 
You will be responsible for identifying and evaluating the most suitable approach for the toolkit, based on the output of the other packages. 
 
Using your excellent research experience, you will have the opportunity to lead and develop the toolkit and collect and gather data to evaluate the effectiveness of the toolkit.  
 
You will have the opportunity to work closely with key stakeholders to establish the toolkit as a sustainable long-term artefact. 
 
Please note, occasional travel within the UK may be required for milestone project meetings and workshops. 
 
For the full role profile, please click here. 
 
What we’re looking for
 
This is an interdisciplinary role that will benefit someone with: 

• PhD (or near completion) in Computer Science, Information Science, Digital Humanities, user analysis, or closely related discipline. Ideally, in an area that involves emerging smart technologies, Interaction, Experience or Game Design, UX, HCI, or a related subject. Or significant relevant experience (either in industry or practice).
• Strong research experience including background in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Excellent communication skills to build relationships and work closely with diverse user communities and local groups.
• Organised and work effectively as part of a team, as well as showing initiative to work independently.

 
What’s in it for you? 
 
Salary: £34,308 - £40,931 per annum, pro rata (Grade 5) 
Hours: 17.5 per week (flexible working pattern) 
 
We offer a great working environment where we support ambition, recognise achievement, and offer an attractive benefits package.
 
This includes:

• hybrid working and flexible working opportunities
• minimum of 46 days annual leave including 10 fixed holidays (pro-rata)
• a generous pension scheme (employer contribution of 20.8%)
• nationally agreed pay increases each year
• various learning and development opportunities
• discounted access to onsite and local gym facilities and a wide range of other staff discounts

For more information on our wide range of benefits, click here.
 
Additional information 
 
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr Dimitrios Darzentas (D.Darzentas@napier.ac.uk). 
 
For general recruitment queries, please contact recruitment@napier.ac.uk. 
 
Application closing date: Tuesday 18 April @ 11:59pm 
Interview date: Friday 28 April 
 
Edinburgh Napier is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels proud, confident, challenged and supported and are holders of Disability Confident, Carer Positive and Stonewall Diversity Champion status. Please see here for more information.