Part time (50% FTE)

Fixed term until 29 February 2024.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 08 January 2023.

Interviews are expected to take place on 16 January 2023.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

We are seeking a Research Fellow with a particular focus on research impact to join the project team of DesHCA (Designing Homes for Healthy Cognitive Ageing). The post is part time (50%), commencing as soon as possible, and will last until 29th February 2024.

The PI for DesHCA is Professor Alison Bowes, and the team at Stirling includes Professor Alasdair Rutherford; Dr Alison Dawson; Dr Cate Pemble; Professor Fiona Copland; Dr Grant Gibson; Lesley Palmer; Dr Martin Quirke; Dr Lisa Davison; Dr Melanie Lovatt; Dr Vikki McCall; Dr Mary Njoki; and two community researchers. Project partners are HousingLIN, Inch Architecture, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre; Silviahemmet/BoKlok/IKEA; Stone Paper Scissors; Space Group; Holmes Miller Architects; Robertson Group; Faithful and Gould; Mediva (Japan) and the UK-Japan international Network on Designing for Ageing and Dementia; Stirling Council; Clackmannanshire Council; and Kingdom Housing Association.

Please see attached document for full details.

Working with the PI, Work Package teams, external partners and the current Impact Fellow, you will help deliver the DesHCA impact and communications strategies. These will be delivered through a series of publications and engagement events taking place over the third year of the project. You will assist in developing and refining the legacy tools of DesHCA, including a Serious Game which will support decision making around home design and materials for industry, local government and the voluntary sector including a cost effectiveness framework and business decision support resources to support up-scaling of the DesHCA home designs. You will assist in supporting older people’s involvement in DesHCA through our Older People’s Reference Group and our community researchers. Throughout, you will be working with stakeholders across sectors, with the City Deal partners and with older people who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the project. You will assist with impact measurement, developing and implementing impact measurement tools. You will have opportunities to develop your knowledge exchange and impact skills through training and interactions with project partners, notably HousingLIN, who are leading on policy engagements. You will also assist with other areas of work in DesHCA such as data analysis and writing outputs.

• Hold a PhD in a relevant discipline (where no formal qualification is held, additional relevant experience is required above that noted below)
• Experience of knowledge exchange and impact work, taking research findings into real world application
• Knowledge and understanding of current research impact agendas
• Experience of successfully conducting high quality applied research both independently and collaboratively within strict timescales
• Excellent collaboration skills with a diverse range of research partners and stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills including experience of writing/contributing to publications, presentation and social media skills
• Experience of writing for academic publication
• Active interest in and understanding of population ageing and/or home design
• Understanding of and commitment to co-productive working

• Experience of working with older people
• Experience of co-production approaches in delivering research impact
• A record of high quality publications

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling’s research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 120 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The campus – also home to 1,700 staff – has its own loch and castle, and a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment has delivered modern, flexible, and digitally connected study and social spaces at the heart of campus, including enhanced student support and retail and catering outlets.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019). Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and its recently redeveloped world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni