Research Assistant

Applications are invited for an innovative, fixed-term, part-time (10.87 hours per week) position working with Bangor University's School of Arts, Culture and Language and School of Ocean Sciences in collaboration with the RNLI. Are you passionate about engaging with stakeholders and coastal communities about matters relating to the ocean? This role offers a unique opportunity to make a real-world impact by co-developing innovative solutions towards understanding the complexity of tidal movements, keeping beach visitors safe on the shores of Wales.

In this exciting position, you'll collaborate with leading academics and RNLI practitioners to identify actions and co-created communicative strategies that will improve societal tidal literacy – the ability to understand tides sufficiently to stay safe. This will mark a significant shift in the discourse around access to the ocean, including how tidal cut-off hazards are presented across media, communications and wider societal discourse. This collaborative project combines academic rigour with societal benefit by translating research insights into improved communication and action strategies that ultimately will save lives.

The ideal candidate will bring creativity, social media and co-creation experience, applying their skills in building valuable connections with stakeholders, coast guards, local authorities, communities and more. This is a rare opportunity to achieve real-world change by using communicative skills, informed by research on tidal movements and water safety.

Candidates should be educated at least to an undergraduate degree standard (or equivalent) in social sciences, linguistics with a focus on communication and discourse, ocean sciences, or a related field, with experience in outreach. Proven experience with workshop organisation and advanced interviewing skills are essential. Advanced knowledge of tidal movements is highly desirable. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, confident, able to work independently, and possess excellent communication skills to engage with highly diverse audiences. A driving licence is desirable to ensure mobility.

If you’re ready to apply your communicative skills to co-create coastal safety solutions while enhancing your professional portfolio, this position offers exceptional development potential in a supportive and flexible working environment.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible and the post is available until 30/04/2027.

The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role.

The role will be hybrid, with flexibility to work from home and Bangor University offices. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there is flexibility to support work-life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Closing date for applications: 21^st August 2026

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting: Professor Thora Tenbrink, Professor of Linguistics, School of Arts, Culture and Language, t.tenbrink@bangor.ac.uk

Committed To Equal Opportunities

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