Part time Post-Doctoral Research Assistant - Sustainable Fashion and Behaviour Change (Fixed Term)

Bath Spa University; Bath; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Bath Spa University’s Future Fashion Works invites applications for a Part-time Post-Doctoral Research Assistant in Sustainable Fashion and Behaviour Change. The role develops evaluation tools and delivers research with community hubs, aiming to inform a national strategy and playbook for sustainable fashion hubs.

Required is a PhD or equivalent research experience, and a track record in participatory or community-focused research.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent doctoral-level research experience in a relevant discipline with high-quality outputs.
• Experience designing and delivering research on sustainable fashion, behaviour change or climate action.
• Experience working with communities or external partners and adapting methods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a focused research and evaluation programme with partners.
• Design and carry out research into clothing consumption, repair and reuse using mixed methods.
• Establish baselines, track change, and explore barriers to participation.
• Coordinate ethical approvals and data protection; support partners with data collection.
• Contribute to funder reports and publish findings for practitioners and communities.

Skills

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Community engagement

Ethical data handling

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

Part time Post-Doctoral Research Assistant - Sustainable Fashion and Behaviour Change (Fixed Term)

Application Deadline: 3 December 2026

Department: Creative Engagement Unit

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Part Time

Location: Bath, Somerset

Compensation: Grade Ac2 - Starting from £23,736 rising to £26,611 per annum, pro rata £39,560 – £44,352

Description

What helps people repair, reuse and care for their clothes, and what gets in the way? Join Bath Spa University’s Future Fashion Works to research how community hubs can make sustainable fashion more accessible through Restitch the Future, a four-year programme delivered with A Single Thread CIC and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund.

This is a part time role, with a working pattern of 22.2 hours per week (0.6 FTE).

About the Role

• Develop and deliver a focused research and evaluation programme with Future Fashion Works, A Single Thread CIC and participating community hubs.
• Design and carry out research into clothing consumption, repair and reuse, using appropriate qualitative, quantitative and participatory methods.
• Establish baselines and track change across selected hubs, exploring what supports lasting behaviour change and how to reach people who have not previously taken part.
• Investigate barriers to participation and work with the project’s EDI Advisory Board and delivery partners to make research and feedback accessible to underrepresented communities.
• Develop practical research tools, support hub partners with data collection and analyse the findings. Secure ethical approvals and follow University requirements for consent, safeguarding and data protection.
• Use the findings to inform the national community engagement strategy and practical playbook for sustainable fashion hubs. Contribute evidence to funder reports and produce peer-reviewed publications, conference contributions and accessible outputs for practitioners and communities.

About You

• A completed PhD or equivalent doctoral-level research experience in a relevant discipline, with evidence of high-quality research outputs appropriate to career stage.
• Experience of designing and delivering research relevant to sustainable fashion, consumption, behaviour change, communities, sustainability or climate action.
• Experience of working with communities or external partners, building trust and adapting research methods to different participants and settings.
• Ability to select appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative methods, analyse evidence and explain its limitations, with knowledge of research ethics and responsible data management.
• Ability to plan and prioritise a focused research programme, meet agreed deadlines and communicate findings clearly to academic, practitioner and community audiences.

Additional Information

Salary Grade Ac2 - Starting from £23,736 rising to £26,611 per annum, pro rata £39,560 – £44,352

The salary range shows the potential maximum pay progression in addition to any annual inflationary increase to your pay. Please note that our default position is to appoint into the lower end of the range, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

This is a Part Time 0.6fte Fixed Term Contract for 1 Year in the first instance, with the opportunity to extend until 30th August 2030. Interview Date - 16th December 2026. Special Conditions.

• The role requires regular in-person working at SOMER in Bath and with project partners and community hubs. UK travel and occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

Due to the nature of this post regretfully we cannot accept applications that do not have the Right to Work/Live in the UK therefore your application will be rejected.

We offer a wide range of great benefits at BSU, including

• Generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme/Teacher's Pension Scheme). This is a defined benefit pension scheme which pays members a secure income for life, post-retirement
• Enhanced paid leave - 41 - 46 days depending on the role (Full Time) - more details here: https://apphub.bathspa.ac.uk/StaffBenefits
• Family friendly policies including hybrid working, flexible work environment, on-site nursery, and a sector-leading enhanced maternity scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme which offers access to on-demand GP appointments, wellbeing support and advice, and access to counselling
• Transport schemes including Electric Vehicle Scheme and Cycle to Work
• Wide range of discounts and financial benefits, accessed through and easy-to-use app

For further details about all our staff benefits, have a look at our rewards page: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/work-at-bath-spa/rewards-and-benefits/

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.