Research Associate

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 46,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Glasgow invites applications for a part-time, 6-month Research Post in the Centre for Robert Burns Studies to advance the Ellisland project. The role involves shaping interpretation, engaging with Ellisland staff, and coordinating dissemination across national and international audiences.

The post, based in Glasgow with some travel to Ellisland near Dumfries, includes teaching contributions and admin responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature, orally and in writing.
• Developing track record of relevant research outputs appropriate to career stage.
• Effective organisation skills to manage time and deliver outputs and admin responsibilities.
• Sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and conduct of assigned research in line with project deliverables and strategy.
• Document research output, maintain records and draft reports and papers.
• Build your research profile and reputation through publications in high quality journals.
• Survey literature, develop/implement research strategy, and engage with stakeholders.
• Present at international/national conferences and internal seminars to raise the project profile.

Skills

Communication skills

Research outputs

Organisation skills

Postdoc experience

Education

PhD level or equivalent

Subject knowledge

Research methods

Job description

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to the Centre for Robert Burns Studies (CRBS) project ‘Reinterpreting Burns’s Ellisland as a Literary Heritage Site for the 21st Century’, working in the research discipline/s of literature and heritage. This project is funded by the Glasgow Knowledge Exchange Fund and leverages CRBS’s world-leading scholarship towards the redevelopment, relaunch and visitor experience of the Robert Burns farm and museum at Ellisland: a site of national and international significance. The successful candidate will work to turn CRBS’s research into impact upon the revival of Ellisland as a tourist location. They will contribute to an interpretation strategy (initially focused on: ‘Song at Ellisland’, ‘Ellisland’s Collections’ and ‘Building and Environment’), assist in identifying physical/digital opportunities for audience engagement; and help select and prioritise poems, songs and objects for emphasis/storytelling as part of Ellisland’s visitor experience. They will work with staff at Ellisland and CRBS towards identifying and delivering project priorities and engage with other stakeholders as required.

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of reports and to the design of workshops; as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

This is a 6-month part-time position (0.5 FTE) based at Glasgow with some away working at Ellisland near Dumfries, for which the successful candidate will be paid expenses.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem where appropriate.

4. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

5. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).

8. Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College as appropriate.

9. Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development where appropriate.

10. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

11. Make a leading contribution to Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator where appropriate.

12. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

13. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

14. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the relevant research disciplines as outlined in the Job Purpose.

A3 Well-developed working knowledge of research methods, technical models, equipment and techniques relevant to the project as outlined in the Job Purpose.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Ability to communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature and to be effective both orally and in writing at a level appropriate to the activity.

C2 Developing track record of relevant research outputs appropriate to career stage.

C3 Effective organisation skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate outputs and administrative responsibilities.

C4 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

E2 Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines, applying initiative and independent judgement.

Desirable:

F1 Up-to-date knowledge of eighteenth-century literature and culture and its commemoration, or subject specialism in Robert Burns Studies.

F2 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit wider society and/or of contributing to the design to the design and delivery of public-facing events.

F3 Experience of working with archives, museums or the heritage sector.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Ronnie Young, [e-mail]

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum pro rata.

This post is part time (17.5 hours per week) and fixed term for up to 6 months.

All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK or be eligible to obtain permission to work in the UK.This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa route.For research and academic roles, we will consider whether the Global Talent visa route may be available, subject to individual eligibility.

https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/pod/visasimmigration/

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing date : 21 September 2026 @23:45