Research and Innovation Associate – Sustainable Supply Chains and Community Engagement; Shetland

Role: Research and Innovation Associate – Sustainable Supply Chains and Community Engagement (Shetland)

Directorate: School of Business, Design and Social Sciences

Grade: Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum (pro rata)

Contract Type: Part-time (average 8 hours a week) Fixed term for 7 months

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (pro rata)

The School of Business, Design & Social Sciences (BDSS) brings together internationally recognised strengths in business, design and the social sciences to create a vibrant, interdisciplinary community focused on addressing complex societal, economic and global challenges. Our academic departments include:

• Psychology
• Languages & Intercultural Studies (LINCS)
• The Design School (TDS)
• Research Methods & Practice (RMP)
• Edinburgh Business School (EBS)
• Management (MGMT)
• Marketing & Operations (MOPS)
• Accountancy, Economics & Finance (AEF)
• Panmure House

We specialise in industry-focused degree programmes which embrace a truly international outlook. Our degrees are taught by experienced professionals and highly regarded academics, and we are proud to produce high-calibre, career-ready graduates and offer a full range of degree choices at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

The WWW site for BDSS is

Edinburgh Business School brings a global reputation for high-quality, accessible and practice-oriented education and research that promotes responsible business. As part of BDSS, EBS contributes expertise in business, economics and management, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration that strengthen the School's ability to deliver impactful education, research and engagement across local and global communities.

This post will be based in the Department of Management within Edinburgh Business School. The post supports a funded research project undertaken by a team of researchers in the Department of Management and the Department of Marketing and Operations, working together as the Sustainable and Circular Innovation Research Lab

This part-time Research and Innovation Associate post will support a Tal Ent Ed  Islands Programme-funded collaborative project between Heriot-Watt University and Lerwick Distillery, exploring the feasibility of establishing a local, sustainable barley-to-malt supply chain in Shetland. The project will examine organisational, governance, and stakeholder engagement options, with a particular focus on supporting constructive dialogue between industry, agricultural and community stakeholders.

Working with researchers from the Sustainable and Circular Innovation Research Lab, the postholder will contribute to stakeholder mapping, qualitative interviews, literature review, workshop planning and delivery, and the analysis and reporting of findings. The postholder will also undertake project administration tasks, supported by the project lead.

Applications are welcome from current PhD researchers and others with equivalent postgraduate research experience.

Some travel to Shetland will be required.

• Conduct a focused review of relevant literature on circular economy, local supply chains, sustainable business models, stakeholder engagement and sustainability dialogue.
• Contribute to the identification of business model options.
• Support the development of stakeholder mapping and engagement strategies.
• Contribute to the design and refinement of interview schedules, workshop activities, and data collection approaches.
• Prepare research ethics documentation, including participant information sheets, consent forms and interview materials.
• Plan and conduct and document stakeholder interviews under the supervision of the academic team,…