Research Assistant in Computer Science

Job Description

You will be part of the ESRC Digital Good Network, on the funded project ‘Digital Mattering: A Philosophical Anthropology of Mobile Messaging as Everyday Human Goodness’. This project explores the concept of ‘digital mattering’ and how mobile devices may allow individuals to carry others with us in daily life. Drawing on research expertise in human-computer interaction and philosophy this research will focus on how the fundamental human desire to be connected to others is scaffolded by technology. We are looking for a motivated research assistant to join our team to conduct this research, which includes co-investigators at both Newcastle and James Madison University. 

This is an interdisciplinary project, and would suit those from a computing, human-computer interaction, sociology or psychology background (other subjects may be considered if candidates can demonstrate they meet the criteria in the Person Specification). An interest in the philosophy of what connects people together is desirable but no specialist knowledge is required. The work will require strong communications skills to conduct qualitative research interviews with participants. 

This is a 0.5FTE post for a period of 8 months, with a degree of flexibility on the working pattern to be agreed with the PI. 

ABOUT THE TEAM

This Research Project is being delivered within the Department of Computing and Information Sciences (https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/computer-and-information-sciences/). You will be part of the Northumbria Social Computing (NorSC) research group working with the Principal Investigator Dr Effie Le Moignan. This is an international project, with co-investigators at both Newcastle University and James Madison University in the USA.

ABOUT YOU

This is an interdisciplinary project, and would suit those from a computing, human-computer interaction, sociology or psychology background (other subjects may be considered if candidates can demonstrate they meet the criteria in the Person Specification). An interest in the philosophy of what connects people together is desirable but no specialist knowledge is required. The work will require strong communications skills to conduct qualitative research interviews with participants. 

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact the Principal Investigator: effie.lemoignan@northumbria.ac.uk

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'.  Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.  

ABOUT US

At Northumbria, we embrace tomorrow. We pursue new thinking, forge new partnerships, create, and exchange new knowledge, and find new solutions. Our inspirational academics, partners and students work together to tackle tomorrow’s challenges head on. We are ready for the future whatever it may hold. 

Awarded the title of University of the Year in the 2022 Times Higher Education Awards, Northumbria University is a research-intensive modern university with a global reputation for academic excellence. 

Northumbria recorded the biggest rise of any UK university for research power in the Research Excellence Framework for the second time in 2021 and is now ranked top 25 for this measure. 

One of the largest universities in the UK with over 37,000 students from 137 countries, filled with world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and students at the heart of an outstanding experience, Northumbria is a new kind of excellent university.  Discover more about us.  

Northumbria University is a great place to work.  We empower our exceptional people to achieve shared ambitions and promote a positive work life balance.  To say thank you, we offer a wide range of benefits including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, a generous holiday entitlement, continued commitment to your learning and development and more. 

Our Northumbria Values are guiding principles that define who we are, what we do and what is important to us. Our Values are: Academic Excellence; Innovation; Inclusivity; Collaboration; and Ambition.

Our Behaviours describe how we do things and how we work together at Northumbria, reflecting our culture and our decision-making. Our Behaviours are: We listen and learn, we support one another to success, we respect everyone and their contributions, we trust in ourselves and each other and we are bold.

Our Behaviours were co-created by colleagues from a range of roles across the University, who worked collaboratively to consider what it feels like to work for Northumbria, and where we need to continue to transform together to achieve what’s important to us. 

Please visit Our Values and Behaviours page to find out more.

We are an on-campus organisation where colleagues work regular patterns of hours and on campus, with some flexibility on the timing of their hours and the location of their work in discussion with their manager.

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our staff.  We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community.  The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme.  We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. 

The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.