Overview
We are recruiting an enthusiastic and collaborative research associate with expertise in social sciences (e.g. sociology, geography and politics), sustainable consumption and qualitative methods. You will help to manage and deliver a work package exploring how healthcare settings (including dental practices, clinics and hospitals) engage with plastic materials, identifying barriers to and opportunities for more sustainable practices. This will include conducting interviews with healthcare professionals and using participant observation techniques to understand everyday clinical practices and material use. You will work closely with Bupa and the other project PDRAs and PhDs to identify opportunities for intervention.
The role will be based in the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub, which works at the interface between the Sustainable Futures research platform at The University of Manchester and the Henry Royce Institute, the UK’s national lab for advanced materials. The Hub supports innovation in sustainable plastics and multi-materials, with a particular emphasis on tackling industrially relevant research questions. The team is necessarily interdisciplinary, with polymer scientists working with economists, social scientists and life-cycle experts to co-create robust solutions to managing plastic from creation to end-of-life. Collaborators from across the university bring expertise in social science, life cycle assessment, chemical depolymerisation, biomedical materials science, recycling and systems to support the project.
Person specification
Essential:
- Have a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant social science discipline.
- Evidenced understanding of the broad concept of circular economy and social science approaches to circular economy and sustainable consumption.
- Proven experience in conducting all of the following: qualitative in depth semi-structured interviews; participant observation techniques; and thematic analysis.
- Excellent research project management skills, including time management and organisational skills.
- A demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment.
- Strong journal publication record appropriate to stage of career.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to liaise confidently and effectively with a range of individuals from diverse disciplinary or institutional backgrounds.
- Flexible and proactive approach to dealing with research problems as they arise.
- Willingness to learn and develop.
- Exceptional written and oral skills evidenced by conference presentations and/or publications.
- Ability to contribute to broader management and mentorship with the interdisciplinary team.
- Recognise the value of equity, diversity, and inclusion in environmental sustainability challenges.
Desirable:
- Experience of working with industrial partners.
- Evidence of conducting data collection with professional participants.
- Ability to contribute to broader management and administrative processes.
- Ability to assess and organise resources.
- Expertise in the healthcare sector and/or plastic recycling.
As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.