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 Manchester Performance Matrix (MPM) R&D by assisting with research data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of findings to appropriate research groups and contacts related to the project. The MPM aims to be an international research, artistic and commercial digital infrastructure bringing together researchers in Performance, the School of English, School of Digital Art and the School of Computing and Mathematics with colleagues from industry. When it is built, the MPM will be a key tool to describe, capture, store, search, use, analyse, and remix human movement for a variety of creative, academic, and commercial uses in an accessible and ethical manner. This R&D will allow us to explore the wider potential to develop partnerships and pathways to funding for its future development.
This role will support the development of new areas in the field of performance capture and digital archiving.
Dates: 9 November 2026 - 28 May 2027
Hours: 7 hours per week
Location: Grosvenor East / SODA / Computing & Mathematics (primarily hybrid)
Key Tasks
Research Activities
The Research Associate will support the development of the Manchester Performance Matrix (MPM) infrastructure through stakeholder engagement, horizon scanning, qualitative research, policy and literature review, workshop facilitation, evidence synthesis, report writing, data collection and funding development. The postholder will work across academic, cultural, and industry contexts to capture partner needs, analyse opportunities and constraints, support the development of governance and technical frameworks, and contribute to strategic planning for future investment for the project.
Undertaking quantitative and qualitative research using a range of methods, the RA will do the following:
- Map and engage stakeholders
- Undertake evidence-based research
- Review existing performance capture technologies / partners and interoperable formats
- Requirements gathering and analysis
- Contribute to research strategy and funding development
- Support governance and ethics planning
- Workshop and event support
- Contribute to the writing of key project outputs, including, stakeholder and user requirements, workshop findings and other findings to support the development of the MPM roadmap and future funding proposals.
The RA will be expected to:
- 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.
- 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
- 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 develop the performance matrix, aid the dissemination of research findings, to share best practice, and to enhance the reputation of the University.
Service Provision
- 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, 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.
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.