Career Champion - REQ 9457

LSBU's School of Built Environment and Architecture are looking to hire a part-time (0.4FTE) Research Assistant for a 4-month contract.

The School has over 3000 students and 80 staff members, making it one of the UK?s largest schools of the built environment. It covers all subject areas concerning the design, development and operation of all the items which make up the built environment. Courses are industry-relevant and are at the cutting edge of each of the subjects. They are accredited by the relevant professional institutions to the highest possible level. BEA is a pioneering leader in delivering Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in architecture and built environment subjects. 

The output, quality and real-world impact of BEA research has been growing with academic staff gathering indicators of eminence at national and international levels. The School?s research profile has been growing through the work of the Centre for Civil and Buildings Services Engineering and Centre for Integrated Delivery of the Built Environment. 

The School has strong links to industry, it is the preferred provider of education for almost 200 employers and undertakes enterprise and knowledge transfer projects with corporate partners.

Key Responsibilities 

1. Contribute to research on building energy performance and sustainability, with a focus on energy-efficient retrofit solutions for existing buildings, particularly integrating new technologies like heat pumps.
2. Conduct literature reviews and desktop research to support the innovation voucher fund project with SMEs, synthesizing current knowledge on sustainable building technologies and retrofit strategies.
3. Assist in designing and conducting fieldwork, experiments, and testing, including the analysis of building materials and energy efficiency systems. This may involve setting up equipment, collecting data, and ensuring proper documentation of procedures.
4. Develop and analyse energy performance models using industry-standard software, contributing to the assessment of various retrofit scenarios and their potential impact on building energy consumption.
5. Collect, analyse, and interpret data from energy consumption studies, using statistical tools and data visualization techniques to present findings clearly and concisely.
6. Collaborate with other researchers and external stakeholders in preparing and conducting feasibility studies for energy-efficient retrofits, considering technical, economic, and environmental factors.
7. Prepare detailed reports on research findings, draft research papers, and contribute to academic publications, ensuring high standards of academic writing and adherence to publication guidelines.
8. Attend and actively contribute to internal and external project meetings, conferences, and symposiums, representing the research team and presenting findings as required.
9. Assist with the dissemination of research outcomes via journals, conferences, and other appropriate channels, helping to raise the profile of LSBU's research in building energy performance.
10. Ensure proper documentation and maintenance of research data, following best practices in data management and complying with relevant data protection regulations.
11. Support the development of research proposals and funding applications related to building energy performance and sustainable retrofits.
12. Contribute to the development of questionnaires, surveys, or other research instruments as needed for data collection from stakeholders in the building industry.
13. Assist in maintaining and updating the research team's database of relevant literature, case studies, and industry contacts.
14. Participate in occasional teaching or demonstration activities if required.

Essential: Master degree in a relevant field such as Building Services Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or Environmental Science. Desirable: PhD degree in a related discipline.

A. Essential: Master degree in a relevant field such as Building Services Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or Environmental Science. Desirable: PhD degree in a related discipline.

B. Strong understanding of building energy performance principles, sustainable technologies (especially heat pump systems), and retrofit strategies for existing buildings.

C. Demonstrable knowledge of research techniques and methods within building energy performance, including quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

D. Proficiency in using building energy simulation software (e.g., EnergyPlus, IES-VE) and data analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, R, or Python).

E. Excellent report writing and academic writing skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly and concisely.

F. Strong communication and interpersonal skills for engaging effectively with research teams, external collaborators, and industry partners.

G. Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing time effectively to meet project deadlines.

H. Experience in conducting literature reviews, data collection, and analysis in the field of building energy performance or a related area.

I. Familiarity with UK building regulations and energy efficiency standards relevant to building retrofits.

J. Desirable: Experience in preparing or contributing to research grant applications or funding proposals.

K. Willingness to engage in continuous professional development and stay updated with the latest developments in the field of sustainable building technologies.

L. Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve issues arising from research experiments or data analysis, demonstrating critical thinking and analytical skills.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage a virtual placements software platform, with the support of the platform's administrators.
• Support students in accessing and utilising the virtual placements software platform.
• Liaise with organisations who wish to advertise placement vacancies and inform students of vacancies.
• Build and maintain beneficial relationships with local organisations and University departments to support any placement students undertaking work.
• Create attractive advertisements to promote vacancies.
• Manage aspects of administration within WebLearn, (Virtual Learning Environment) for a variety of placements modules.
• Create and update databases and software platform with accurate information.
• Liaise with relevant academic placement module teams to target students on specific modules and encourage them to apply for the available work opportunities.
• Attending classes to undertake very brief presentations on the work placements process.
• Provide initial recruitment support via online Careers materials to assist students through job recruitment processes and identify when to signpost applicants to advice and guidance from University Careers Consultants.
• Assist in matching students to suitable placement opportunities.
• Assist in undertaking risk assessments for work placement health and safety.
• Assist in organising events such as 'LinkedIn Headshot' photoshoots, including greeting students, recording student details, potentially assisting in taking photographs and sending out photographs to students.
• Any other tasks to support the placement team.

NOTE: In terms of your graduation date, you must have submitted your final assessment within 2024 e.g. February or June.

Closing Date:  Wednesday 25th Sept at 5pm

Before you proceed with your application, we would like to outline specific eligibility criteria that must be met to be considered for this role:

Eligibility to Work Full-Time in the UK: We welcome applications exclusively from candidates who hold the legal authorisation to work full-time in the United Kingdom for at least the next 10 months. Regrettably, we are unable to sponsor work visas or consider candidates whose current visa status does not permit full-time employment for the specified duration.

You must be a recent Graduate of London Met: Your final piece of assessment for your degree must have been submitted within 2024. Applications from candidates who graduated before this date will not be considered for the position.

We kindly request all prospective applicants to carefully review and confirm that they meet these essential eligibility requirements before submitting their applications. 

In addition to clicking Apply Now, please ensure that you send your comprehensive CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to Tahera at t.huda@londonmet.ac.uk.

Please note that the role entails a hybrid work arrangement. The successful candidate is expected to be present in the office once or twice and sometimes several times a week, and to work remotely for the rest of the week.

A formal probationary assessment will be conducted at the three-month mark to review the performance in the role. 

We appreciate your attention to these requirements and encourage you to apply if you fulfill the stated criteria.

No Qualifications required for this role.

• Experience of confidently communicating with clients/customers
• Office administration experience
• Excellent research skills via internet / social media
• Excellent communications skills, verbal and written 
• Accurate data entry / IT skills and attention to detail 
• Proven ability to meet targets within deadlines
• Demonstration of initiative and self-motivation to work alone and within a team
• Awareness of data confidentiality

TO APPLY: Please ensure your CV is uploaded onto your Met Temps profile under "My Documents" and submit a short cover letter or email outlining why you are suitable for the role.

Job Summary: 

We are seeking a dedicated and highly organised Academic Personal Assistant to provide comprehensive support to an academic faculty member. The role involves providing academic support to a faculty member who requires assistance for challenges arising from a brain injury. Dr Alec Knight is the full-time senior lecturer in medical education. In this role his primary roles are leading the educational research agenda / output and medical education primary-care teaching projects (Student Selected Projects, Scholarly Projects and Quality Improvement Projects) for the KUMEC team (King?s Undergraduate Medical Education in the Community) The Academic Personal Assistant will play a vital role in assisting with various administrative  tasks, ensuring the smooth operation of academic activities including research, teaching and administration. The post will be offered for three months in the first instance, after which time it will be reviewed. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Administrative Support: 

Help to manage and organize the academic's schedule, including meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements. 

Assist with the handling and organisation of email correspondence and prioritising urgent matters. 

Prepare and edit documents, presentations, and research materials as needed. 

Maintain an efficient system for organising emails, academic papers, research data, and administrative records. 

Research Assistance: 

Assist in gathering research materials, literature reviews, and other relevant documents as required. 

Help with organisation of data analysis, using software or tools as required (e.g. EndNote, QSR NVivo). 

Collaborate in the preparation and submission of research grants, proposals, and manuscripts. 

Communication: 

Facilitate communication between the academic and students, colleagues, and external partners. 

Coordinate and schedule meetings, seminars, and workshops. 

Draft and proofread academic communications, reports, and publications. 

Project Coordination: 

Support the planning and execution of academic projects, conference attendance, teaching, etc. 

Monitor project timelines and deadlines, ensuring tasks are completed on schedule. 

Technical Assistance: 

Provide support with Outlook and other Office software, as well as academic software, research tools, and equipment. 

Assist in setting up and managing research projects (e.g. systematic reviews). 

None

Skills, knowledge and experience 

Essential 

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field  

Strong organizational and time management skills. 

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and research software/tools. 

Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information. 

Desirable 

Prior experience in an academic or research environment  

Working Conditions: 

This role may require occasional flexibility in working hours to accommodate academic schedules. 

Work may be performed either remotely or in an academic department/office setting.