Research Associate

University of the Highlands and Islands; Inverness; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

42 days leave (pro rata)

Hybrid working

USS pension scheme

Employee discounts

Career development

Job summary

University of the Highlands and Islands invites applications for a fixed-term Research Associate (Internal Applications). The post is currently only available to internal applicants and offers a salary range of £51,632 to £54,778 per annum pro-rata.

The role will be based on a hybrid working pattern and is tied to AY2026/27 funding, with 133 hours total across the period. The appointment will provide strategic leadership and development capacity to consolidate and extend the work of the CSG

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and developmental capacity to consolidate and extend the work of the CSG Education Research Assistant, initiated during AY2025/26, and support the next phase of Education research development across the academic partnership.

Job description

UHI is the United Kingdom’s leading integrated university encompassing both further and higher education. We are more than a college and more than a traditional university: a diverse, flexible partnership, rooted in our communities and driven by their needs. Our network of colleges, specialist teaching centres and internationally recognised research institutes delivers supported, flexible learning from access level to PhD.

To support our work we are recruiting to the following role:

Research Associate (Internal Applications)

Please note This role is currently only available to internal applicants.

Salary range £51,632 to £54,778 per annum pro-rata

Duration September 2027

Working hours 133 hours total

Location Hybrid

Closing Date Friday 23 October 2026

Cognate Subject Group (CSG) Education

An internal temporary Research Associate is sought through Executive Office during AY2026/27. The post will be funded from a set budget with equivalence of approximately 19 days of activity at Grade 8. The appointment will provide strategic leadership and developmental capacity to consolidate and extend the work of the CSG Education Research Assistant, initiated during AY2025/26, and support the next phase of Education research development across the academic partnership.

The role will ensure the ongoing development of a sustainable CSG Education research culture, post 2029 REF preparedness, growth of external research partnerships, support with proposed Education Doctorate (EdD) pathway and potential student funding routes such as through SGSSS, staff scholarly development, including identifying income streams through bid writing and KE activity, engagement with UHI research clusters, including support with building portfolios and submitting applications to Academic Titles Review Board, and planning for future research income generation. The investment is intentionally small-scale and acts as seed-corn funding to secure longer-term income streams for sustainability and benefits both for CSG Education and UHI.

A detailed job description and person specification for the post are attached.

Applicants with informal questions are encouraged to contact Associate Dean for Education, Dr Karen Lowing by email.

Pay and Benefits

This role is linked to grade 8 on the UHI payscale.

The starting salary for this position will normally be in the range of £51,632 to £54,778 per annum.

This post is fixed term until end of Sept 27 subject to appointment period and funding. There is no guarantee of further employment after the expiry of this term.

This post is part time and will involve working 133 hours across the period of employment and 11.08hrs per week, on a working pattern as agreed with your line manager.

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme check, so please let us know if you are currently a PVG scheme member.

The workplace pension scheme we provide to workers at grade six and above is the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). This is a qualifying pension scheme, which means it meets or exceeds the government’s standards. Full information on the scheme can be found on the USS website.

Full-time posts carry a total of 42 days leave per annum (pro rata for part-time posts). It is practice that, with the exception of a Christmas and New Year closure, leave may be taken at any time of year, subject to the requirements of the post and department and with the permission of your line manager.

Recruitment Process

When completing the application form please ensure that you clearly evidence how you meet the selection criteria identified on the relevant person specification.

The deadline for submitting your application is 23 October 2026 at 11.59pm.Shortlisting will take place the week commencing 26 October 2026.

If you have any queries regarding our recruitment and selection process, or if you would like to request any reasonable adjustments to either the recruitment process or the prospective job, please contact the HR team as soon as possible.

Applications for this post are currently restricted to existing executive office and academic partner employees only.Interviews will be held on 29 October 2026..

• Job description
• Person specification
• Further information
• Guidance notes for candidates
• Summary of terms and conditions of employment

UHI Employee Benefits

At UHI, we offer a supportive, flexible and rewarding place to work, with a range of benefits including:

• 42 days’ annual leave (pro rata)
• Attractive pension scheme and options for additional contributions
• Flexible working and family-friendly policies
• Occupational sick pay and an Employee Assistance Programme (incl. spousal support)
• High-street and online retail discounts
• 10% off Highlife Highland memberships
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Contribution towards DSE prescription glasses
• Free parking and EV charging (where available)
• LinkedIn Learning access for ongoing professional development
• Long-service awards and active social events

If you have any queries about the application process please contact the HR Office at [e-mail].