Senior Research Assistant (Nature Park)

Manchester Metropolitan University is a community that is creative, confident, passionate and proud, providing research-led solutions to real-world problems. We consistently rank highly in the People and Planet University League as one of the most sustainable universities in the UK.

The National Education Nature Park has been developed by a partnership led by the Natural History Museum with the Royal Horticultural Society, supported by Manchester Metropolitan University and other partners. Collectively we are the UK's leading institutions within our fields, with world-class expertise across schools and Higher Education, science research, and public engagement with nature. Responding to the urgency of the planetary emergency and the Department for Education's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to empower children and young people to make a positive difference to both their own and nature's future.

This is an exciting time to join our team, consulting and collaborating with the Department for Education and National Education Nature Park project partners (Royal Horticultural Society and the Natural History Museum) to evaluate Nature Park training needs and enable the development and delivery of Nature Park training offerings for a range of target audiences.

The post is based in the Department of Natural Sciences, a large, successful and vibrant department in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. It is committed to achieving high-quality teaching, research and knowledge exchange spanning the disciplines of Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science and Geography. The Department has over 100 members of academic staff and delivers courses to over 1000 students across Undergraduate, and Postgraduate programmes. The REF 2021 outcome has confirmed our strong reputation as one of the leading centres for research impact in Environmental Sciences. Out of 40 departments in the country, we rank as fifth place nationally for our research impact, with 100% of our research impact rated as outstanding (75%) or having very considerable impact (25%). The Department is committed to improving further the quality and volume of research. The Department has a long track record of securing research funding and has a current portfolio of funded projects from research councils, charities, the EU, Innovate UK, the Department for Education and businesses. It prioritises development of the next generation of researchers through an individualised professional development review process.

About the role
The Senior Research Assistant (Nature Park) will be expected to undertake research evaluating Nature Park training needs using a mixed methods approach. They will enable the development and delivery of Nature Park training offerings for a range of target audiences in order to ensure delivery of training requirements.

They will provide applied research and knowledge exchange support to colleagues and support staff for the Nature Park project by assisting, and where necessary taking the lead, with research data collection and analysis, the development of training and the dissemination of findings to appropriate groups related to the project.

This is a brilliant opportunity for an individual seeking a role with real impact.

Ideal candidate / person specification
We are seeking an individual passionate about environmental education and applied research.

The ideal Senior Research Assistant (Nature Park) candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to use initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches in order to further research, and to develop and deliver highly effective Nature Park training to a wide range of participants.

You will be proficient in the use of relevant software packages for the collection, analysis and presentation of survey and interview data, and the preparation of high-quality training materials and reports.

You will have knowledge of education, environment and nature-based learning, including knowledge of school curricula, the national sustainability and climate change in education policy framework, training approaches, and appropriate research methods for the evaluation of training needs and outcomes.

You will have a postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline, equivalent qualification or substantial relevant experience, and evidence of continuous professional development.

You will have research and knowledge exchange experience of evaluating training needs, developing and delivering training to a wide range of audiences, building relationships, networks and partnerships, data collection and analysis, and presenting and communicating complex information to a range of audiences, both orally and in writing.

For further information, please refer to the job description/person specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button).

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.

This vacancy is expected to attract a high volume of applications. Therefore, under the Disability Confident Scheme, only disabled people who apply under the scheme and best meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview.