Research Assistant - Behaviour mapping of public spaces

Cardiff Union Services Ltd; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading company in Cardiff is seeking a part-time research assistant for a short-term position focused on behaviour mapping of public spaces. The role involves data analysis, literature review, and collaboration with local communities and policymakers. Ideal candidates will hold a relevant Master’s degree and have experience in qualitative research methods. This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to impactful urban design projects.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in relevant field required.
• Experience in qualitative research and behaviour mapping essential.
• Strong skills in data analysis and presentation are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature review on observation and behaviour mapping.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Support writing and disseminating findings of the project.

Skills

Qualitative data collection

Data analysis

Behaviour mapping

Data visualisation

Interpersonal communication

Time management

Education

Master’s degree in architecture, urban planning, or social sciences

Job description

Opportunity for short term part-time research assistant post -Behaviour mapping of public spaces

We are seeking to recruit a part-time researcher for fixed term to support the analysis of data of an impact project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) - Impact Acceleration Account (IAA).

Through directly engaging with teenage girls and young women (TGYW) in the different Cardiff neighbourhoods, the project aims to map how TGYW currently use of park facilities, develop a greater understanding of TGYW’s needs and aspirations for park use, build capacity for TGYW to influence the design and development of parks and neighbourhoods, and guide decision-makers on how to (re)design neighbourhood parks and their facilities in a gender-inclusive manner.

We are seeking a researcher ideally studying for a degreedegree in architecture, urban planning, urban design, human geography, or another relevant field within the social sciences or humanities. The ideal candidate will have experience in observation and behaviour mapping of public spaces. Observation data has already been collected, and the successful candidate will be expected to support the analysis of this material. Experience and competence in qualitative research methods and data analysis is essential, and skills in the visual presentation of behaviour mapping data are desirable.

This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and ambitious researcher to gain experience of working on a collaborative project with researchers, policymakers, and local communities. It will be jointly supervised by Dr Sina Shahab, Dr Matluba Khan, Dr Neil Harris, and Dr Tom Smith.

The selected candidate should be able to start on from the 10 th of July 2025 and is expected to work around 2.5 days a week for a duration of 6-8 weeks. The ad hoc post is conditional on proof of right to work, and submission of time sheets.

Role:

• To conduct a review of literature in relation to observation and behaviour mapping of public spaces, gendered spaces and practices and design and planning for girls and women.
• To conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of data collected using behaviour mapping
• To carry out data visualisation on collected data including behaviour maps showing data points on use of public spaces.
• To support writing up of analysis of observation and behaviour mapping.
• To support the dissemination of findings, writing of reports, and visually sharing the findings.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the project, including managing data, organising meetings, liaising with partners, takingnotes and other associated project activities.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Person Specification

Qualifications / Certification

• A Master’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, human geography, or other relevant disciplines in social sciences and humanities.

D

Experience / Knowledge

• Experience and competence in qualitative data collection and analysis methods

E

• Knowledge of data management and research ethics

E

• Knowledge of research and design of studies involving observation and behaviour mapping

E

• Experience of mapping and observation

D

Skills

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

E

• Time management skill and ability to work to deadlines

E

• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal, oral, written, and graphical communication skills

E

• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team

E

• The highest ethical and professional standards in research activities

E

• Highly self-motivated and hard working

E

If you are interested in this post and would like further information or an informal discussion on this role, please email Dr Sina Shahab [e-mail]

About The Company

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