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 NetDRIVE "Pathways to Effective Carbon Reductions by Use of Green Scheduling" project. This will be by assisting, and where necessary taking the lead, with research data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of findings to appropriate groups related to the project.
Specifically you will be leading on aspects of Work Package (WP) 2, under the supervision of Dr Bane and liaise with people working on other workpages.
WP2 was defined in the grant proposal as:
- Liaison with key stakeholders regarding potential constraints, namely (a) Technical issues: including an understanding of what accuracy & reliability of
carbon intensity (CI) forecasts is required, barriers to cross-platform scheduling
(including practicalities of data transfer but also data sovereignty), effects of all jobs
potentially scheduled at the same time & location both on host facility but also in
terms of energy generation, as well as facility capacity and uptime constraints. (b) Policy issues: different elements of (e.g.) UKRI DRI may not wish to share
resources or may require reserved resources. Furthermore, it is important to
understand the views of stakeholders in terms of the added VALUE elements
[from WP1a run by another party] and imperative to consider potential carbon accounting/budgets/caps.
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Dates: 01 Oct 2026 - 22 Jan 2027
Hours:
UG/PGT: up to 16 hours/week during teaching and up to 20 hours/week during non-teaching;
PGR: up to 16 hours/week
Location: DoCM research area / at home. Meetings will be on a regular (e.g. weekly) basis, generally in person.
Key Tasks
Research Activities
Undertake research activities as outlined above
Plan and prioritise own day to day work and resources to achieve agreed research objectives, and the work of small teams of research assistants and/or research students as required, in order to achieve agreed objectives.
Undertake quality research and detailed analysis, and present findings to appropriate internal and external groups, such as research forums, conferences, or seminars, as required.
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.
Liaison and Networking
Contribute to the dissemination of research findings through journals, conferences and seminars, in order to further the institution’s standing in the HE and research community.
Participate in the development of internal and external partnerships and networks in order to disseminate information, share best practice, generate income, establish opportunities for collaborative work, and to enhance the reputation of the University.
Work with partners and external agencies on collaborative projects that benefit both the department and the Faculty.
Service Provision
Develop own and/or joint research objectives, budgets, and project proposals with senior research staff which meet funding criteria and benefit the department.
Keep relevant stakeholders updated on progress, and be responsible for exploring their needs, and acting on feedback, in order to ensure that research delivers against their requirements.
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.
Team Working
Actively participate as a member of the research team, providing mutual support to colleagues to achieve successful completion of projects.
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 senior staff in the guidance and support of new research assistants or members of staff within the department as appropriate.
Supervise the work/projects of taught postgraduate and/or research students as required to support the development of students’ research skills.
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.