Research Associate - NW England Processional Mapping

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Business School

£19.51 hourly pay + £2.35 per hour holiday pay

Ongoing role - academic year

6 Great Marlborough Street

22 Oct 2026

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Research Associate - NW England Processional Mapping

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 NW England Processional Mapping 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.

Support the development of new areas in the field of processional mapping

Key Tasks

Research Activities

GIS Mapping, Spatial Data Analysis and Visualisation

Build on an existing database of historical and contemporary processions, parades, pilgrimages, marches, and other processional practices.
Create GIS layers representing start and end points.
Integrate spatial data from multiple sources such as open-source datasets, and local authority mapping.
Produce high-quality maps and visualisations for research outputs, presentations, reports and public engagement activities.

Spatial Analysis

Conduct spatial analyses of procession routes using ArcGIS Pro, or similar GIS software.
Analyse relationships between processions and urban morphology, public space, heritage assets, transport networks, and community infrastructure.
Examine temporal changes in routes and processional landscapes through comparative historical mapping.
Identify spatial patterns and territorial relationships associated with processional culture.

Contribute to the interpretation of spatial findings within wider theories of place, mobility, heritage, ritual, cultural memory and leisure.

Plan and prioritise own day to day work and resources to achieve agreed research objectives, leading the work of small teams of research assistants and/or research students as required.

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.

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
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.

Collaborate with senior academic staff to organise, manage and carry out appropriate research.

Respond to enquiries and requests for information from potential students, academic staff from other HE institutions, and relevant stakeholders, when required.

Proactively and effectively engage with quality assurance procedures to ensure that University standards are upheld.

Team Working
Actively participate as a member of the research team, providing mutual support to colleagues to achieve successful completion of projects.

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.

Dates: 2 November 2026 - 30 June 2027

Hours: 100 hours total over the course of the project, between 02 Nov 2026 - 30 June 2027.

Location: Hybrid

Person Specification

This role is only open to current Manchester Met students who meet the criteria below:

Essential

* Studying for, or holding a post graduate degree, equivalent qualification or substantial relevant experience, and evidence of continuous professional development.

* Ability to synthesise complex data from different sources and communicate findings orally and via written reports and articles for a range of diverse audiences

* Ability to use initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches in order to further research and scholarly activities

* Proficiency in the use of relevant software packages such as Arc GIS Pro or similar to visualise data and create spatial analysis suitable for public audiences.
* Possess sufficient breadth or depth of spatial analysis knowledge (including current practice), to work within established research programmes

* Experience of making a demonstrable, independent contribution to projects

* Experience of preparing written reports of results

* Experience of data collection

* Experience of prioritising work independently and as part of a team in order to deliver individual and team objectives

Desirable

* Experience building relationships, networks and partnerships with internal and external contacts

* Experience presenting at national and/or international research meetings

*An interest in cultural events or working knowledge of events and festivals.

How to Apply

Please apply via the Apply button, completing the form on the next page.

The deadline for applications is 11:59pm on 22 October 2026.

Please be aware that roles may close earlier than the stated closing date, where a high number of applications are received. To ensure you have an opportunity to apply, please do so as soon as possible.

Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to supporting the rights, responsibilities, dignity, health and wellbeing of staff and students through our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

We are committed to providing accessible and inclusive recruitment. If you require or would benefit from support or reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in work, please contact us by e-mailing [email protected]. This information will only be used and shared with those who require it to implement any change(s) and only at the point this is required.

If you have any queries, or need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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