Research Assistant - Business Diagnostics Project

As part of the project, the research team has delivered a series of workshops, generating audio recordings, discussions, and qualitative data that contribute to ongoing research.

To support this ongoing work, we are seeking a Research Assistant. The main purpose of this role is to provide research support to colleagues and support staff for the Business Diagnostics Project by contributing to the processing, refinement, and analysis of workshop recordings and transcripts, ensuring high-quality qualitative data to inform research outputs and project development.

Workshops Transcript Management

• Listen to and review audio recordings of project workshops in full
• Review auto-generated or draft transcripts for accuracy, completeness, and clarity
• Correct errors in transcription, including mishearings, speaker misidentification, and unclear passages
• Ensure transcripts accurately reflect the spoken content, including noting significant pauses, cross-talk, or inaudible sections
• Maintain a consistent house style and formatting across all transcripts
• Organise and archive recordings and finalised transcripts within the project's file management system
• Flag notable content, recurring themes, or significant participant responses to the research team
  

   Administration & Compliance

• Handle all recordings and transcripts in accordance with MMU's data protection and research ethics policies
• Maintain accurate records of progress and flag any issues or delays to the project lead promptly
• Participate in regular team meetings and contribute to project planning as required
• Plan and prioritise own work and resources, within research project framework, in order to determine the most effective way to achieve agreed research objectives.

• 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.
• 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.

• Educated to degree level, ideally in a business, or related discipline.
• Excellent listening and written English skills, with high attention to detail.
• Experience of or demonstrable ability in transcript review or qualitative data handling.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in standard office software (Word, Excel) and file management.
• Commitment to research ethics, confidentiality, and data protection.

• Prior experience in an academic research environment or research assistant role.
• Familiarity with qualitative research methods and/or thematic analysis.
• Experience using transcription software or qualitative data tools (e.g. NVivo, MS Teams).
• Understanding of the business or social enterprise sector.