Research Assistant [Foraging Machines]

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

Job summary

A local educational institution in Cardiff is seeking a Research Assistant to join a project on digital eco-pedagogies. The ideal candidate should have a postgraduate degree and skills in qualitative research. The role includes conducting interviews, literature reviews, and fieldwork associated with foraging practices. Flexible scheduling is expected from September 2025 to February 2026.

Benefits

Transport and accommodation covered

Specific training provided

Qualifications

• Pursuing or nearing completion of a postgraduate degree in a relevant field.
• Proven ability in qualitative research methods.
• Knowledge in Human Geography, Social Sciences, Education, or Computer Sciences.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews and qualitative data analysis.
• Perform desk-based scoping study and interviews.
• Document local foraging practices using video methods.

Skills

Qualitative research methods

Field-based observations

Teamworking

Communication

Analysis of qualitative data

Education

Postgraduate degree (PhD, MSc, or MA)

Job description

This Research Assistant will work on the interdisciplinary project ‘Foraging Machines: Understanding and Designing for Digital Eco-Pedagogies’.This would be the ideal role for a current student to contribute to an exciting interdisciplinary project at the cutting edge of Human Geography, Social Sciences, Education and Computer Sciences. This may be particularly suited to the research skills of aPhD or MSc/MA student (or experienced undergraduate candidates).

The project Foraging Machines aims to understand how digital technologies (smartphones, portable tech, AI infrastructure) is altering experiences of nature. We are using the example of foraging to explore this, using social science and ethnographic observation methods. We want to know how foraging is done recreationally, as a forms of education, and commercially, and how and where digital technologies play a role.

Role Overview:

The research assistant will work with a highly experienced, interdisciplinary researchers. The project is based in Cardiff – but the research team are drawn from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Nottingham.

The role will include the following tasks:

• Desk-based scoping study of partners who undertake local foraging in Cardiff, Pembrokeshire and South Wales.
• In -person and online interviews with foragers.
• Conducting a literature review on relevant project themes.
• Fieldwork – documenting small-scale local foraging practices in Cardiff and Pembrokeshire using video-based ethnographic techniques.
• Support a co-production workshop with partners.
• Qualitative data analysis of interview and video data.

Availability and requirements:

The research assistant post will start in September 2025 and end in February 2026. They will work a total of 30 days on the project – around 1 day per week. The project will require some flexibility, for example some weeks during fieldwork they may work 2 days in the week.

Some travel is required around Cardiff and to Pembrokeshire. There may be some requirement for working at weekends and spending a few nights away from Cardiff for fieldwork. Field sites should be accessible by public transport and/or taxi and transport and accommodation costs can be covered.

Specific training can be provided in observational and ethnographic fieldwork, and in the use of video recording during fieldwork for observations.

Please include in your application:

• Explain how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.
• Outline how your skills and experience will meet the requirements of the role.
• Include your course and year of study, and how your studies so far will help you in this role.
• Your availability to complete the work in the time period, and if any specific flexibility would be required.
• Include a full CV (you can attach this on your Jobshop portal under 'My CVs').
• How this role will contribute to your own personal and career development.

Person Specification

• Postgraduate degree – pursuing or nearing completion of PhD, MSc or MA in a related subject area or relevant experience (such as an experienced Undergraduate).
• Proven ability and skills in qualitative research methods – including (but not limited to) field-based observations, ethnography, video-based fieldwork techniques, and in-person interviews.
• Knowledge and understanding of research fields: Human Geography, Social Sciences, Education, Computer Sciences (particularly Human-Computer Interaction), or a related field.
• Skills in analysis of qualitative data.
• Experience of completing written literature reviews and research reporting.
• Proven ability in effective communication, particularly team-working within research teams or other relevant team-working experience.
• Ability to work independently, including independent fieldwork and desk-based research.
• Experience of ethnomethodology and conversation analysis techniques.
• Experience of facilitating workshops and/or other group events.
• Knowledge, experience of, and interest in foraging or similar outdoor activities.
• Experience of writing or contributing to scholarly outputs.

About The Company

Important information for working through Jobshop:

Please note, this advert may come down early if there are a high volume of applications. If you are interested in this role, we recommend you apply as soon as possible.

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If you are on an hour s- limited visa, it is your responsibility to ensure you do not exceed the working- hour restriction Monday - Sunday , each week . This is a legal restriction that must be adhered to for work completed both within and outside of Jobshop.