Research Assistant

Research Assistant – TRANSECTS Research Project

Grade: Grade 6
Salary Range: £31,236 – £35,608
Location: Edinburgh Campus (hybrid working available)
Contract Type: Fixed‑term (to end March 2028)
Hours: Full‑time (equivalent 5 days per week)
Reports to: Lauren McWhinnie, WP2 Leader, TRANSECTS Project

To facilitate and enhance the research processes by providing technical, analytical and administrative support on the TRANSECTS research project (). The role provides learning opportunities to develop both research and professional skills.

• Coordination of Data Collection and Management
  • Collate spatial datasets and maintain the TRANSECTS database.
  • Ensure data quality, consistency and proper metadata documentation.
  • Manage geospatial datasets and version control systems (e.g., ArcGIS Online, Git, QGIS projects).
• Spatial Analysis and Modelling
  • Use GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) and/or spatial analysis tools in R or Python to: map and quantify spatial patterns in ecosystem services related to marine energy transitions; conduct spatio‑temporal analysis; identify hotspots and spatial overlaps to explore resilience potential.
• Evidence Review and Synthesis
  • Support the team in extensive literature reviews to identify natural capital and ecosystem services associated with METs.
• Visualisations and Communication
  • Develop high‑quality maps, figures and infographics for publications and engagement materials such as the Energy Transition Atlas and coastal community exhibits.
  • Assist in writing reports, policy briefs and academic manuscripts.
  • Contribute to presentations for stakeholder workshops, conferences and project meetings.
• Collaboration and Project Support
  • Work closely with interdisciplinary team members (geographers, environmental scientists, social and computer scientists, lawyers, historians, anthropologists).
  • Participate in team meetings to discuss findings, refine methods and coordinate tasks.
  • Maintain organised documentation of methods, datasets and analysis scripts for reproducibility.
  • Collaborate with TRANSECTS postdocs to support the delivery of interdisciplinary outputs.

• Essential criteria
  • Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g., environmental science, marine biology, geography).
  • Proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) for spatial data management, analysis and mapping.
  • Experience handling large datasets – data cleaning, projection management and metadata documentation.
  • Quantitative data analysis skills, ideally using R or Python.
  • Experience conducting reviews, collating evidence and synthesising scientific information.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to contribute to reports or research outputs.
  • Attention to detail and ability to manage and organise multiple datasets or project tasks effectively.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Desirable criteria
  • A master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., marine or environmental sciences).
  • Experience with spatial‑temporal analysis or time‑series data relevant to environmental change.
  • Familiarity with marine or coastal datasets (habitat maps, oceanographic or geophysical data, or data relating to marine activities).
  • Experience with spatial statistics or spatial analysis that supports decision making.
  • Skills in data visualisation and creating clear publication‑quality maps or graphics.
  • Experience working in interdisciplinary or applied research groups linking environmental variables to policy making.
  • Knowledge of marine energy transitions and governance of marine and coastal spaces.
  • Experience preparing or contributing to academic publications and reports.

The role is based at Heriot‑Watt University’s Edinburgh campus with flexibility for hybrid working. The successful candidate will work closely with the WP Leader and other researchers from across the project team, interacting with project partners and wider community stakeholders.

Please apply via the Heriot‑Watt online recruitment system with a cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post and…