Research Assistant

*2 positions available*

Part time (50%FTE)
Fixed term until 31 October 2026

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 28 May 2023.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The University of Stirling is seeking to appoint two researchers in Food Systems within its world-leading Institute of Aquaculture (IoA) on the EU funded SAFE Project. These appointments come at an exciting time for individuals who want to help shape our ambitious strategic plan and new state-of-the-art facilities under development. Our research ranked first in the UK for impact in the REF2021 for Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science. The IoA recently won the coveted Queen’s Anniversary Prize for global impact of its research into sustainable food security, and we hold an Athena Swan Bronze award in recognition of our approach to Equality Diversity and Inclusion.

The positions in food systems, in an age of rapid climate change, require a demonstrated knowledge around circular economy and systems thinking for real world food production scenarios, encompassing a wide multidisciplinary approach. Producing more aquatic foods is no longer enough for a broad range of stakeholders and partners that now demand ESG (Environmental Social Governance) approaches to support policy change and investment. Through the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Value Chain Analysis (VCA) and financial models the research on SAFE will contribute to current Blue Economy forums that are shaping future environmental and societal impacts located in a wider governance framework.

The successful applicants should demonstrate experience of applying LCA and VCA, including knowledge of LCA software and databases. Applicants should have good working knowledge and ideally practical experience of production systems across a range of aquaculture species and geographical contexts. Applicants should have an interest in applying and testing their research in commercial scenarios by applying financial feasibility models.

The post holder will be expected to contribute and lead on the delivery of internationally excellent publications and contribute to co-creating a strong research culture including mentoring postgraduate students.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Engage in individual and collaborative research as part of a team, delivering directly to objectives of the SAFE project, and disseminate results through regular publication in high impact journals, books and conference proceedings
• Continually update knowledge, skills and understanding in field or specialism
• Conduct literature and database searches
• Contribute to the development of questionnaires and conducting surveys
• Engage with the SAFE research team at Stirling as well as across the EU-wide project and contribute to collaborative decision making with colleagues in areas of research

Teaching support

• Contribute to the supervision and teaching of research students as required, particularly when aligned with project activities, assist in the development of student research skills, and providing direction, support and guidance
• Contribute to introductory courses on the use of research methods and analysis used within the project
• Be involved in the assessment of student knowledge and supervision of projects

Communication, networking and outreach

• Deal with routine communication using a range of media
• Communicate complex, specialist or highly technical information, orally, in writing and electronically, including the results of collaborative research in reports and publications
• Liaise with colleagues and students
• Make internal and external contacts and build networks to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration and funding
• Participate in the Faculty’s international engagement activities as required
• Participate in the administrative processes of the Division/Faculty/University
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post

Additional Information / Special Conditions

The successful candidate will be expected to travel for fieldwork and attend conferences as required within the research group and project team.

• Knowledge of international aquatic food systems and value chains
• Demonstrable experience in use and development of sustainability assessment tools such as Life Cycle Assessment, and metrics developed to assess aquaculture and its place within food systems and a circular economy
• Knowledge in Value Chain Analysis, stakeholder perception and assessment in food systems

• PhD in relevant discipline or close to successful completion
• Evidence of a developing publication record in aquaculture from a food systems perspective
• Evidence of strong collaborative and individual work ethic
• Experience of overseas fieldwork and data collection

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Faculty of Natural Sciences

The Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) encompasses the Divisions of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computing Science and Mathematics, Psychology and the Institute of Aquaculture. FNS is a distinctive academic arena where new fundamental understandings of the complex and challenging inter-relationships between human behaviours, technologies, biological and environmental systems are created, explored and tested. The most recent national assessment of research - REF2021 -confirmed that 80% of our research is classed as world leading and internationally excellent. It is supported through UK Research Councils, European Union and a range of research charities We work with businesses and public service organisations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems. Substantial investment aligned with the City, Region, and Growth deals is supporting major new infrastructure developments linked to the Faculty including Scotland's International Environment Centre and the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub.

Aquaculture

We are a global leader in aquaculture research and teaching, supporting the development of aquaculture worldwide. In REF2021 the Institute ranked first in the UK for impact in the field of Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science with 100% of its research having outstanding impact. Our world-class researchers pioneer aquaculture as a solution to the challenges of feeding a growing global population. We're driven by our belief in aquaculture helping to create a world without hunger. Our expert staff, facilities and networks make us the first choice for research partners from across the globe. We have academics working across research groups focused on reproduction, genetics, aquatic animal health and welfare, nutrition, production systems, environments, markets, and social and economic impacts. We have collaborative research and training partnerships and links with many other leading academic institutions, and industry partners throughout Europe and overseas. We also offer a long-established and successful research service to support the development of new technology. The recent City Deal investment will provide four aquatic research facilities to cover the full range of marine environmental conditions.

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling’s research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 120 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The campus – also home to 1,700 staff – has its own loch and castle, and a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment has delivered modern, flexible, and digitally connected study and social spaces at the heart of campus, including enhanced student support and retail and catering outlets.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019). Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and its recently redeveloped world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni