Research Assistant

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. The primary purpose of this role is to assist colleagues and support staff in the project Orchestrating Sustainability:
Examining the Emergence of the Circular Fashion Ecosystem in the UK. You will support qualitative coding of data using NVivo and contribute to the dissemination of findings to relevant research groups and stakeholders. This role contributes to exploring the growing trend of sustainability in the UK fashion industry through circular economy principles. The Research Assistant will help analyse data, conduct interviews, and contribute to the development of a large database focused on circular fashion ecosystems in the UK.

• Assist in conducting literature reviews and database searches using standard methods, supporting the investigators in reviewing the literature using recent technologies.
• Help in the collection and analysis of qualitative data, particularly through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.
• Use qualitative analysis software (NVivo ) to help analyse interview data. Additionally, there will be qualitative content analysis task using Ms Excel and using Ivory Mind (previously Coral AI) to generate large database and assess as per qualitative and quantitative content analysis.
• Support the creation and maintenance of the project website and updates.
• Assist in organizing interviews, workshops, and events with circular fashion stakeholders.
• Ensure confidentiality and appropriate anonymization of data.
• Attend industry events, workshops, and other gatherings related to circular fashion ecosystems to assist with data collection, interview coordination and note-taking. Be prepared to briefly introduce the project to stakeholders and participants.
• Support the organization of multi-stakeholder impact workshops.
• Assist in drafting research reports and contributing to academic publications.

• Engage with circular fashion communities and organizations, collaborating to ensure effective communication and engagement.
• Network with stakeholders under the guidance of the investigators.

• Engage proactively with quality assurance procedures and ethics protocols, particularly regarding data collection, anonymization, and confidentiality.
• Collaborate with academic investigators to support the project's research activities and contribute to future project development.

• Actively contribute to the research team and the broader academic community within the Department of Strategy Enterprise Sustainability (SES).

• Adhere to health and safety policies, and apply the University's Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Promote environmental sustainability practices within the project and University.
• Carry out additional relevant duties, in agreement with the project managers and investigators.

This role is only open to current Manchester Met students who meet the criteria below:

• Currently enrolled in or have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Sustainability, Sustainability Management, Environmental Sciences, Business Studies, Fashion or Sustainable Fashion with a sustainability focus, or related fields.
• Ability to assist in research activities, including preparing for, conducting, and recording fieldwork, podcasts, and interviews.
• Willingness to learn and use relevant software (e.g., NVivo, Atlas.ti, Microsoft Office Suite) for data analysis.
• Sufficient knowledge of sustainability practices, particularly in the fashion industry, to contribute to an established research team.
• Experience prioritizing tasks independently and as part of a team to meet both individual and group objectives.
• Demonstrated interest in sustainable development, circular economy, and sustainable business practices.
• Demonstrated interest in circular practices, such as reuse, repair, and recycling, within the fashion and textile industries.
• Willingness to engage with local and regional circular fashion communities and a passion for true sustainability and circularity.

• Prior experience in research projects or roles.
• Willingness to support the project over an extended period.

Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to supporting the rights, responsibilities, dignity, health and wellbeing of staff and students through our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.