Research Assistant - Stories of Alcohol Consumption

The current opportunity is available for current Manchester Met students, to apply you must be based in the UK for the duration of the role. A role is available for a student holding or currently studying towards a postgraduate degree to help support development of new areas in the field of alcohol studies. The main purpose of this role is to provide research support to colleagues and support staff for the Stories of Alcohol Consumption across Generations in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities by assisting, and where necessary taking the lead, with literature searching, research data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of findings to appropriate groups related to the project., Undertake literature search and writing of literature review. The project is working with a project partner, Friends, Families and Travellers, who will take the lead in recruitment and data collection, but we would like the research assistant to have an opportunity to gain insight into novel methods of data collection, including individual unstructured interviews, and group narrative focus groups. Plan, prioritise and organise own work or resources, and the work of Research Assistants and students where appropriate, in order to achieve agreed objectives. Conduct literature and database searches using standard techniques and methods. Write up results of own research and prepare for presentation to research team and relevant stakeholders. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications. Use initiative and judgement to develop appropriate techniques in order to facilitate research work and resolve problems affecting the achievement of objectives and deadlines. Liaison and Networking Present research to the team and in appropriate articles for publication, such as academic/professional journals or conferences. Participate in internal and external partnerships and networks in order to aid the dissemination of research findings, to share best practice, and to enhance the reputation of the University. Service Provision Develop own and/or joint research objectives, budgets, and project proposals with senior research staff which meet funding criteria and benefit the department. Proactively and effectively engage with quality assurance procedures to ensure that University standards are upheld. Collaborate with academic colleagues on research development and future direction. Team Working Actively participate as a member of the research team, offering general help and guidance to others. Miscellaneous You have a legal duty, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that you do not endanger yourself or anyone else by your acts or omissions. In addition, you must cooperate with the University on health and safety matters and must not interfere or misuse anything provided for health, safety and welfare purposes. You are responsible for applying the University's Equal Opportunities Policy in your own area of responsibility and in your general conduct. You have a responsibility to promote high levels of customer care within your own areas of work. Such other relevant duties commensurate with the grade of the post as may be assigned by the Manager in agreement with you. Such agreement should not be unreasonably withheld. You have the responsibility to engage with the University's commitment to Environmental Sustainability in order to reduce its waste, energy consumption and carbon footprint. You have the responsibility to engage with the University's commitment to delivering value for money services that optimise the use of resources and therefore should consider this when undertaking all duties and aspects of your role.

• Studying for, or holding, a post graduate degree, equivalent qualification or substantial relevant experience, and evidence of continuous professional development in an area relevant to this research post, which may include human geography, sociology, but we are open to and interested in what different disciplinary perspectives could bring.
• Ability to undertake research by preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of field work.
• Ability to use initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches in order to further research and scholarly activities.
• Proficiency in the use of relevant software packages such as Microsoft Office
• Possess sufficient breadth or depth of qualitative knowledge to work within an established research team.
• Experience of data collection
• Experience of presenting and communicating complex information to a range of audiences, both orally and in writing
• Experience of prioritising work independently and as part of a team in order to deliver individual and team objectives
Desirable
• Knowledge of Gyspy, Roma and Traveller cultures, including an understanding of methods that may be culturally credible in this area.
  
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