Research Assistant - Digital Heritage & Digital Games; Video Games

Job Description

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 colleagues and support staff for the Digital Heritage & Digital Games project by assisting with research data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of findings to appropriate research groups and contacts related to the project.

Support research in digital heritage, game studies, cultural heritage and the creative industries through the development of a database documenting the representation and implementation of cultural heritage in video games.

Dates: 14 September 2026 - 31 May 2027.

Hours:

up to 16 hours per week.

The role involves supporting research into how cultural heritage is represented, interpreted and reused in video games, and contributing to the development of a database documenting these examples.

Tasks will include identifying video games featuring cultural heritage, researching and recording how heritage is implemented, and cataloguing relevant information in a structured database.

Tasks will also include conducting desk-based research, reviewing relevant literature and sources, and analysing examples of cultural heritage reuse in video games.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate their ability through examples of relevant research, writing or data collection work.

Good knowledge of video games, including familiarity with a range of games, genres and 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, offering general help and guidance to others and PhD students who may be assisting with the research project.

Attend Faculty, Department and Programme meetings/boards as appropriate to proactively contribute to decision making.

Introduce new starters to the area, giving training on basic skills and activities to assist their induction to the team.

Assist in the supervision of taught postgraduate and/or research students, as required, to support the development research skills.

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 a 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…