Research Associate: Urban Transformation and Innovation

Job reference: HUM-032074
Salary: £37,694 per annum depending on experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Humanities
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Humanities Dean's Office
Hours Per Week: Full time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 21/08/2026
Contract Duration: Fixed term for 36 months
School/Directorate: Faculty Office - Humanities

Research Associate: Urban Transformation and Innovation

The Department of Geography seeks to appoint an outstanding Research Associate to join an ambitious programme of internationally recognised research on urban transformation and innovation. Working closely with Professor James Evans, the successful candidate will support the delivery of a research programme examining how cities and city regions govern innovation, experimentation and institutional learning to address complex sustainability challenges.

You will be responsible for:

• Undertake high-quality independent and collaborative research on urban transformation, innovation governance and sustainability transformation.
• Design and undertake qualitative and mixed-methods research, including interviews, workshops, documentary analysis and comparative case study research.
• Lead and contribute to the preparation of high-quality publications in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to the preparation of competitive research funding applications to UK and international funders.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with city governments, public agencies, industry, third-sector organisations and other research partners.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• A PhD (completed or submitted) in Geography, Urban Studies, Planning, Public Policy, Sustainability Science, Innovation Studies or another relevant discipline.
• Demonstrable expertise in one or more of the following: urban governance; urban transformation; sustainability transitions; innovation studies; environmental governance; public policy; regional or place-based innovation.
• Experience of successfully undertaking high-quality independent research.
• Experience of qualitative research methods.
• Experience of working collaboratively within interdisciplinary research teams.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience relating to cities and place-based innovation across different national settings.
• Experience of mixed methods / comparative research.
• Experience of leading or contributing to collaborative publications and funding applications.
• Experience of knowledge exchange, innovation or policy engagement.
• Experience of organising stakeholder workshops or collaborative events.

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Professor James Evans

Email Address: James.Z.Evans@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

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