Manchester Performance Matrix Research Assistant

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Manchester Met­ropolitan University invites current students to join a Research Associate role. The post supports the Manchester Performance Matrix (MPM) R&D, assisting with data collection, analysis and dissemination across academic, cultural and industry contexts, with a primarily hybrid setup at Grosvenor East / SODA / Computing & Mathematics.

The role runs 9 November 2026 – 28 May 2027, at 7 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Doctoral study with data collection and quantitative or qualitative work.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to engage external stakeholders.
• Experience in data collection.
• Experience presenting complex information.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of performance, theatre, movement, and digital archiving.

Responsibilities

• Support development of MPM infrastructure through stakeholder engagement.
• Undertake evidence-based research and literature reviews.
• Map stakeholders and gather requirements.
• Assist with governance and ethics planning.
• Prepare and present findings to research team.

Skills

Writing skills

Verbal communication

Stakeholder engagement

Data collection

Research analysis

Qualitative research

Literature review

Ethics & governance

Funding literacy

Microsoft Office

Independent work

Team collaboration

Requirements gathering

Education

Doctoral study

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

The current opportunity is available for current Manchester Met students, to apply you must be based in the UK for the duration of the role.

The main purpose of this role is to provide research support to colleagues and support staff for the Manchester Performance Matrix (MPM) R&D by assisting with research data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of findings to appropriate research groups and contacts related to the project. The MPM aims to be an international research, artistic and commercial digital infrastructure bringing together researchers in Performance, the School of English, School of Digital Art and the School of Computing and Mathematics with colleagues from industry. When it is built, the MPM will be a key tool to describe, capture, store, search, use, analyse, and remix human movement for a variety of creative, academic, and commercial uses in an accessible and ethical manner. This R&D will allow us to explore the wider potential to develop partnerships and pathways to funding for its future development.

This role will support the development of new areas in the field of performance capture and digital archiving.

Dates: 9 November 2026 - 28 May 2027

Hours: 7 hours per week

Location: Grosvenor East / SODA / Computing & Mathematics (primarily hybrid)

Key Tasks

Research Activities

The Research Associate will support the development of the Manchester Performance Matrix (MPM) infrastructure through stakeholder engagement, horizon scanning, qualitative research, policy and literature review, workshop facilitation, evidence synthesis, report writing, data collection and funding development. The postholder will work across academic, cultural, and industry contexts to capture partner needs, analyse opportunities and constraints, support the development of governance and technical frameworks, and contribute to strategic planning for future investment for the project.

Undertaking quantitative and qualitative research using a range of methods, the RA will do the following:

1. Map and engage stakeholders
2. Undertake evidence-based research
3. Review existing performance capture technologies / partners and interoperable formats
4. Requirements gathering and analysis
5. Contribute to research strategy and funding development
6. Support governance and ethics planning
7. Workshop and event support
8. Contribute to the writing of key project outputs, including, stakeholder and user requirements, workshop findings and other findings to support the development of the MPM roadmap and future funding proposals.

The RA will be expected to:

• Plan and prioritise own work and resources, within research project framework, in order to determine the most effective way to achieve agreed research objectives.
• Conduct literature and database searches using standard techniques and methods.
• Write up results of own research and prepare for presentation to research team and relevant stakeholders.
• Use initiative and judgement to develop appropriate techniques in order to facilitate research work and resolve problems affecting the achievement of objectives and deadlines.

Liaison and Networking

• Present research to the team and in appropriate articles for publication, such as academic/professional journals or conferences.
• Participate in internal and external partnerships and networks in order to develop the performance matrix, aid the dissemination of research findings, to share best practice, and to enhance the reputation of the University.

Service Provision

• Proactively and effectively engage with quality assurance procedures to ensure that University standards are upheld.
• Collaborate with academic colleagues on research development and future direction.

Team Working

• Actively participate as a member of the research team, offering general help and guidance to others and PhD students who may be assisting with the research project.
• Attend Faculty, Department and Programme meetings/boards as appropriate to proactively contribute to decision making.

Miscellaneous

You have a legal duty, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that you do not endanger yourself or anyone else by your acts or omissions. In addition, you must cooperate with the University on health and safety matters and must not interfere or misuse anything provided for health, safety and welfare purposes.

You are responsible for applying the University's Equal Opportunities Policy in your own area of responsibility and in your general conduct.

You have the responsibility to promote high levels of customer care within your own areas of work.

Such other relevant duties commensurate with the grade of the post as may be assigned by the Manager in agreement with you. Such agreement should not be unreasonably withheld.

You have the responsibility to engage with the University's commitment to Environmental Sustainability in order to reduce its waste, energy consumption and carbon footprint.

You have the responsibility to engage with the University's commitment to delivering value for money services that optimise the use of resources and therefore should consider this when undertaking all duties and aspects of your role.

Person Specification

This role is only open to current Manchester Met students who meet the criteria below.

Essential

• Doctoral study at any level which has involved stakeholders and data collection and quantitative or/qualitative work
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships with external stakeholders.
• Ability to undertake research by preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments and/or field work.
• Ability to use initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches in order to further research.
• Proficiency in the use of relevant software packages such as Microsoft Office etc.
• Possess sufficient breadth or depth of knowledge to work within an established research team.
• Experience of data collection
• Experience of presenting and communicating complex information to a range of audiences, both orally and in writing
• Experience of prioritising work independently and as part of a team in order to deliver individual and team objectives
• Experience of some or all of the following:
  • Qualitative Research Skills
  • Literature Review and Desk Research
  • Stakeholder and Partnership Research
  • Data Analysis and Synthesis
  • Funding and Research Development Literacy
  • Ethics and Governance Awareness
• Ability to critically review and synthesise themes in research and technical documents across theatre, performance and digital technologies
• Ability to translate stakeholder needs into clear requirements in light of the critical review

Desirable

• Knowledge - A good understanding of performance, theatre, movement, data capture and/or digital archiving, including an understanding of relevant research methods and techniques in the area.
• The RA does not need to be a motion capture engineer or AI developer but should understand:
  • Motion capture workflows.
  • Digital archives and metadata.
  • AI models and embeddings at a conceptual level.
  • User-centred design processes.
  • Awareness of motion representation standards e.g. C3D, SMPL
  • An understanding and/or appreciation of performance and the arts in general would be beneficial.

If you have any questions about this role please contact Josh Edelman ([email @[e-mail]]) or Michael Pinchbeck ([email @[e-mail]]).

Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to supporting the rights, responsibilities, dignity, health and wellbeing of staff and students through our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

We are committed to providing accessible and inclusive recruitment. If you require or would benefit from support or reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in work, please contact us by e-mailing [email @[e-mail]]. This information will only be used and shared with those who require it to implement any change(s) and only at the point this is required.

If you have any queries, or need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.