Research Assistant - Biodiversity Auditing

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 main purpose of this role is to provide research support to academic team:
Dr Etienne Develay, Dr. Nadir Virk and Dr. Nereida Polovina by assisting with research data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of findings to appropriate research groups and contacts related to the project.

• Undertake literature review, data collection and analysis using research skills
• Be familiar with concepts on Biodiversity Reporting, Biodiversity Finance and familiar on collecting data from Bloomberg and LSEG platforms
• Plan and prioritise own work and resources, within research project framework, in order to determine the most effective way to achieve agreed research 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Actively participate as a member of the research team,

• 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 the 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.
• Current Postgraduate (Masters or Doctoral) students
• Knowledge of Corporate Sustainability Reporting practices
• Interested in Auditing and Assurance
• Ability to undertake research by preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments and/or field work.
• Ability to use initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches in order to further research.
• Proficiency in the use of relevant software packages such as STATA.
• Possess sufficient breadth or depth of knowledge to work within an established research team.
• Experience of data collection in corporate sustainability reporting, sustainability reporting and biodiversity-related disclosures
• 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

• Knowledge of corporate sustainability reporting biodiversity reporting/ TNFD disclosures, including an understanding of relevant reporting principles (CSRD, ISSB/IFRS S1, GRI, TNFD) research methods and techniques in the area.
• Knowledge of biodiversity risks of material misstatements in financial statements
• Understanding biodiversity data sources, controls and evidence in corporate reporting
• Knowledge of nature-related risks, dependencies and metrics in corporate reporting
• Knowledge of Nature-related Financial Disclosures in UK companies
• Interested in Auditing and Assurance

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