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 'GMCA-Manchester Met: Community Snapshots: Belonging, integration, and social cohesion among migrant-background communities in Greater Manchester' research project by assisting with research data collection and analysis, the dissemination of findings to appropriate research groups and contacts related to the project, and supporting the development of new areas in the field of migration and ethnic studies.
Community Snapshot: Belonging and Integration among Migrant-Background Communities in Greater Manchester is a collaborative project between the MIGS (Migration and Interdisciplinary Global Studies) research group at MMU and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). The project uses participatory creative research methods to explore how people from migrant backgrounds experience belonging and integration in Greater Manchester — what helps them feel at home, what makes it harder, and what they hope for. The findings will inform GMCA's cohesion and integration policy work and lay the groundwork for a larger community-led study.
Dates: 1 June - 16 October 2026
Hours: Up to 8 hours per week, but variable depending on when community workshops are scheduled.
Location: Across Greater Manchester and on campus
About the project
Community Snapshot: Belonging and Integration among Migrant-Background Communities in Greater Manchester is a collaborative project between the MIGS research group and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). Using participatory creative methods, the project explores how people from migrant backgrounds experience belonging and integration in Greater Manchester. Findings will feed directly into GMCA's cohesion and integration policy work.
Research assistant role and activities
We are looking for a PhD student to provide paid research assistance during the workshop delivery phase of the project. This is a good opportunity to develop hands-on experience of participatory research methods and community-based fieldwork, and to strengthen familiarity with the policy landscape around migration and integration in Greater Manchester.
What the role involves
- Helping to prepare and run participatory workshops with migrant-background community groups (consent, survey, creative mapping, small group discussions)
- Assisting with data collection and data management
- Transcription support following workshops
- Assistance with the development/production of research reports and publications
- Attendance to training session and teams meeting as required
Miscellaneous
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 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.