Creative Informatics Research Fellow - Job Description Edinburgh Napier University Edinburgh Napier University is appointing a full-time Post Doctoral Research Fellow to contribute to the delivery and assessment of the Creative Informatics AHRC funded R&D Partnership to support the creative industries cluster in Edinburgh through data-driven innovation. The role will involve working with a team to support the creation of new relationships and research opportunities between industry partners, and among individuals from the creative industries in order to undertake data driven innovation in the development of new products and services. The PDRF will be tasked with developing and evaluating the research and development undertaken as part of this partnership. There is also the expectation that the successful applicant will initiate and pursue longer term research enquiries in the wider context of the partnership. We require individuals who bring: experience with creative and/or qualitative research methods; a knowledge of some or all of, physical prototyping, making, fabrication, articulation of early design concepts or ideation; and an interest in design and the creative industries. In addition, a knowledge of quantitative research methods would also be desirable. Overview of the Creative Informatics R&D Partnership The context for the research is Creative Informatics: Data Driven Innovation for the Creative Industries a 4.5 year programme led by the University of Edinburgh in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, CodeBase and Creative Edinburgh. Data Driven Innovation (DDI) is transforming society and the economy. DDI is defined as the challenge to make effective use of data to shape, develop and deliver innovative products and services to consumers and citizens. Edinburgh is the cluster outside of London with the highest current activity and potential for growth across key technology sectors such as VR, AI and data, and third for creative tech. It is among the 10 strongest clusters of Museum, Galleries and Libraries in the UK, and has the highest concentration of employment and businesses in the Creative Industries combined in Scotland. It hosts 11 major festivals through the year, which with an audience of more than 4.5 million, supports 4000 jobs, generates 280m in Edinburgh and hosts the world s largest market place for performing arts in the month of August The Creative Informatics R&D will be focused on four Innovation challenges identified by the Partnership to be addressed through the lens of Data Driven Innovation: Developing access to and engagement with new audiences and markets Developing new modalities of experience Unlocking value in archives and data sets Revealing new business models for the Creative Industries The growth will be delivered through a programme of six initiatives: Challenge and Horizon R&D projects; Creative Informatics lab and workshops; Resident Entrepreneurs; Creative Bridge, a dedicated data driven business innovation programme; and the Connected Innovators programme to support T-Shaped people
(individuals with the capacity to span several disciplines needed to succeed in the creative industries) to develop R&D and leadership in the Creative Industries in Edinburgh. We are appointing one Post Doctoral Research Fellow, who will be to take a significant role in developing the collaborative R&D programme and working closely with a Senior Research Fellow at Edinburgh Napier, a team of project Co-investigators, partner organisations and creative entrepreneurs. Appointments will be made on the Grade 5 Academic scale ( 32,236.00 38,460.00). The culture of Edinburgh Napier University is open and diverse and we strive to replicate that in our appointments. As women and members of ethnic minorities are currently under-represented in posts at this level we particularly encourage applications from members of these groups. The School of Computing is the proud holder of a prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award recognising our work in supporting the advancement of gender equality in academia. 3. Main Responsibilities The PDRF will respond to the suite of innovation projects that are co-designed with partner organisations as well as negotiating independent lines of enquiry with the project investigators. To undertake research that is associated with projects that are co-produced with partner organisations, creative companies and the academic project team. (~30%) To contribute to workshops, events and projects that form the Creative Informatics programme and develop methods to translate Data Driven Technologies to a wide range of audiences (~30%) To undertake world-leading research negotiated with project investigators (~20%) To undertake administrative responsibilities associated with research duties (~20%) 4. Planning and Organising You will agree a general plan of research with the Project Co-Director and Senior Research Fellow based at Edinburgh Napier University and progress will be monitored at pre-scheduled meetings. Plan and organise meetings and liaise with the various researchers and partners associated with the study, including the project team, members of any partner organisations and associated external development partners, and liaise with the Steering Committee as necessary. Be prompt and efficient in collaboration with the different disciplines involved in the project; to be sensitive to different approaches and standpoints, and to show a willingness to learn and work within an interdisciplinary environment. Involve a range of users and stakeholders in the creative process, both individually and in group settings, to generate and evaluate a breadth of design interventions. Support the design of prototypes in conjunction with the software / hardware engineers across the project. Conduct primary and secondary research in a variety of settings; to employ, tailor and develop new methodologies to gain insights from a range of different user groups and stakeholders. This will include liaison with participants, ensuring risk assessment has been undertaken and any necessary health and safety precautions implemented. Document and reflect upon the design interventions in preparation for public engagement including video, photographs, activity records and other documentary evidence.
Scope out necessary steps to implementation, and ensure the relevant stakeholders, funds and skills are present, post-project, to maximise translational benefit. Preparation of research papers and/or presentations for academic dissemination of findings and lead on promoting the project research and design at the relevant conferences and in the relevant press, including scheduled workshops at project milestones to inform the research and design. 5. Problem Solving The problems to be faced will be wide ranging from cultural, sociological, economic and scientific for which you will contribute expertise for understanding how best to understand their challenges. You will be expected to achieve this under instruction by and with advice from the principal Investigator and other academic and senior research staff. Some problem-solving will require careful reference to protocols and procedures (e.g. ethical approval), and some will require exploration of good practice and precedent, including seeking expert advice. Excellent communication skills are required. 6. Decision Making As identified above, decisions will include judgement on when to refer problems to the Investigators. In general, the job-holder will be expected to make day-to-day decisions, in collaboration with the Senior Research Fellow, that support the good progress of the study and do not have scientific or budgetary implications that might be problematic. Such regular decision-making is likely to include: drafting of text for reports and other progress documents; maintenance of protocols for recording and storing all study data, in accordance with data protection legislation; responding to queries about the study as the first point of contact. Where decisions are needed that might result in significant changes to the study plan, and especially those that might that warrant requests for changes in study protocol, funding or timing, these must be resolved in discussion with the Co-Director at Edinburgh Napier University and the Principal Investigator to ensure that any implications are predicted and planned for appropriately. 7. Key Contacts/Relationships You will principally interact with the Research Investigators and other project staff. You will be entering a highly interdisciplinary team and be expected to share knowledge, methods and skills across disciplines, in order to cross the boundaries between arts, social sciences, ICT. More generally, you will discuss the work, and questions of scientific interest, with other members of the Creative Informatics team and the associated academic Schools. You will be expected to represent the University externally, by presenting their work at specialist meeting or workshops the relevant research area. You may also be required to provide advice and support to relevant students. External contacts will include liaison with co-investigators, with funders, steering committee members and observers, other researchers and research partners, stakeholders and shops and shopping groups and individuals associated with the study to support the work of the project.
8. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed for the Job The following criteria are considered essential to the post: Carry out world-leading research A PhD in subjects relevant to the scope of the Creative Informatics R&D Partnership. Evidence of further research experience. Experience of international collaboration or international research and non-research environments, ideally gained in a research institute or academic institution outside the UK. Experience in crossing disciplinary boundaries. Recent record of publications. A commitment to team working and collaborative analysis of data. Good personal organisational skills and the ability to work on own initiative. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to disseminate results of research to a variety of audiences through written and oral presentations. Knowledge of the wider discipline and funding opportunities Good understanding of the wider disciplines involved in the Creative Industries. Good understanding of the wider disciplines involved in the Digital Economy and Data Driven Technology. Familiarity with creative methods and qualitative research. Knowledge of some or all of, physical prototyping, making, fabrication, articulation of early design concepts or ideation. The following criteria are considered to be desirable: Carry out world-leading research Evidence of participation in one or more research projects. Experience of working in academia /academic partnerships outside of the UK. Experience of inter-disciplinary collaborations. Knowledge of the wider discipline and funding opportunities Evidence of successful track record in external engagement activities. Experience with Design Ethnography.
An interest in Design. Possess or be willing to learn Rapid Prototyping coding skills. 9. Job Context and any other relevant information The project forms part of a larger programme of research with The University of Edinburgh, CodeBase and Creative Edinburgh. The Creative Informatics Research & Development Partnership will grow the Creative Industries Cluster in the Edinburgh city region, by meeting the demand for increasing data literacy and the ability to design with data. APPLICATION PROCEDURE We welcome applications from a wide variety of disciplines and research areas relevant to the theme areas of design, creative industries, data science, digital humanities and law. When applying, it is essential that you submit for each application Detailed CV; 1-page proposal for a negotiated research project that would traverse the theme areas within the context of Creative Informatics. This is important for your application to be fully considered. We anticipate interviews will be held in January 2019. You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not. The closing date is 17/12/2018