19426BR
Welsh School of Architecture
Research
Advert
This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.
Internal Applicants Only - Research Associate: Comfortable and Energy Efficient Classrooms – Sustainability through Living Labs
The Welsh School of Architecture (WSA) is looking to appoint a Research Associate to work on an exciting project that will build our understanding of children’s agency for sustainability in primary schools. The successful candidate will work within an interdisciplinary team engaging with primary schools to implement child-led Living labs in schools to investigate environmental comfort and sustainability in schools. They will apply age-appropriate social science methods and co-production participatory research to propose child-led activities where children explore the performance of their own schools through Living labs and citizen science activities, and evaluate their contribution to sustainable learning and the school curriculum. The researcher will be a valuable member of the academic team, contributing to research design, analysis, interpretation and dissemination, including academic publications.
We welcome applications from candidates from appropriate disciplinary backgrounds, which could include, but are not limited to: Education (particularly sustainability education); Children’s Geographies; Citizen Science; and Social Sciences.
For informal enquiries about the post please contact Dr Gabriela Zapata-Lancaster (Principal Investigator, Welsh School of Architecture) ZapataG@cardiff.ac.uk / Dr Tom Smith (Co-Investigator, School of Geography and Planning) smitht19@cardiff.ac.uk
This post is full-time (35 hours) and is fixed-term for 24 months from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027.
Salary: £40,247 - £45,163 per annum (Grade 6)
It is not expected to appoint above the first point of the scale; £40,247 per annum.
Closing date: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.
Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Job Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities
To work within an interdisciplinary team to test and implement child-led Living labs in schools with the aim to promote environmental comfort and sustainability initiatives led by pupils.
To conduct research on child-led living labs and environmental comfort and sustainability in schools and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.
Research
- To conduct research within child-led living labs and environmental comfort and sustainability in schools and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of outputs including analysis and interpretation of data, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and bidding for funding.
- To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local, national and international level as required.
- To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
- To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
- To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
- To participate in School research activities.
- To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.
Other
- To engage effectively with public sector organisations, particularly schools and local councils, as well as professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
- To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to, and which will enhance performance.
- To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
- Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications And Education
- Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant work-based experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields (although not strictly limited to):
- Education (particularly primary)
- Children’s Geographies
- Social sciences (co-production; children and sustainability)
- Sustainability education
- Citizen Sciences
- Knowledge of the current status of research in co-produced and/or participatory research; creative and citizen-science based methods with children and young people; children’s Geographies; or other relevant fields.
- Proven ability to publish in nationally and internationally recognised journals, presentations at relevant academic conferences, and/or other research outputs (i.e. experience of research reporting, policy briefs, etc.)
- Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies
Communication and Team Working
- Proven ability in effective communication, particularly team-working within research teams, and/or with children, young people and educators.
- Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.
Other
- Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
- Proven ability to work without close supervision.
Desirable Criteria
- Relevant professional qualification(s) – these could include but are not limited to: teaching qualifications at any level; any qualifications related to working with children and young people.
- Evidence of collaborations with relevant stakeholders related to the education sector, schools, and local councils.
- Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
- Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.
Additional Information
The Welsh School of Architecture
The Welsh School of Architecture (WSA) is consistently ranked amongst the top schools of architecture in published UK and Worldwide league tables and has been ranked within the top 100 of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Rankings.
The WSA also had 90% of its research impact judged as outstanding (4*) in the 2014 REF (Research Excellence Framework). This placed us at the top of the table for impact in the assessment panel for Architecture, Built Environment and Planning.
Our research underpins the BSc and MArch degree programmes as well as the specialisms we teach through advanced Masters programmes that cater to graduates across the broad spectrum of built environment professions. We set high standards for our students and expect great things from them, this is why we stand by the quality of our graduates and are proud of what they achieve.
The distinctiveness of this School lies in its tradition of combining creativity with the understanding needed to realise designs through practice, its reputation for high quality research, the calibre of its staff and in its unique location in a friendly, liveable and affordable capital city that is a gateway to the stunning landscape of Wales.
Salary Range Min.
40247
Salary Range Max.
45163
Job Category
Academic - Research
Grade
Grade 6
