Research Fellow (based in GCU London)

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This is a part time / fixed term opportunity based at GCU London and includes an additional London Weighting Payment of £4,804 pro rata per annum

Hours: 3.5 hours per week from 1 August 2025 until 30 September 2025 and then increasing to 10.5 hours per week from 1 October 2025 until 31 December 2027

Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow Caledonian – the largest and leading modern university in Scotland - is a vibrant, values-led university with campuses in the heart of Glasgow and London. With a strong commitment to high quality education and research which supports the communities we serve, we have strong partnerships with employers to ensure our students get the careers they dream of and deserve.

In 2023 we rocketed into the top 40 universities in the UK in the highly regarded Guardian University Guide, were ranked the UK’s 2nd top performing modern university in the inaugural Daily Mail guide, and entered the top highly coveted 50 UK universities in the 2024 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for the first time. We are the top performing modern University in Scotland in all three guides. We are the only Scottish university with EcoCampus Platinum accreditation and were ranked second in Scotland for sustainability in the most recent People and Planet league table.

With a wide range of professionally accredited courses and links with over 300 industry partners, we have the highest proportion of undergraduate level graduates in highly skilled occupations (83%) compared to other Scottish modern universities - with 91% of our students in employment or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA 2023). We are Scotland’s leading provider of Graduate Apprenticeships and we have transnational partnerships around the world, supporting more than 22,000 students from nearly 120 countries.  We are committed to widening participation, helping more people from diverse backgrounds into university.

Guided by our values – integrity, responsibility, creativity and confidence - we transform the lives of the people and communities we serve.

The Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health

The post is managed by the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, a multidisciplinary research centre that conducts world-leading, interdisciplinary research to conceptualise and evidence ways that lives of individuals and communities can be improved through a better understanding of various community-based and health-focused initiatives. Work under the ‘Social Economy’ research theme has supported the development of policy, particularly social enterprise policy.

The role and its responsibilities

Political and community engagement, trust and identity among European adolescents and emerging adults (ENGAGED) is a Horizon Europe funded 5-country multidisciplinary project involving University of Bergen Norway, Universitatea Babes Bolyai Romania, Universidad de Sevilla Spain, Glasgow Caledonian University UK and Universidade Católica Portugesa Portugal.

The Research Fellow will work on the alongside the lead of Workpackages 3 and 4 to implement and pilot Living Labs activtities working with the Osmani Trust in London to develop and co-create strategies and recommendation to foster civic engagement with young people. The Osmani Trust is a registered charity in the UK set up in 2009 as a result of a merger of two previous youth-based organisations. It is located in the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and serves the youth populations and communities mainly of this Borough and adjacent Boroughs.  The research fellow will also participate in Consortium and teams meetings, as well as events.

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Participatory Research and Community Engagement Specialist to join our team. This role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of co-creation and participatory methodologies, including Living Labs and action research, with a strong focus on youth and marginalised communities in urban settings. The ideal candidate will live in London and have demonstrable experience and knowledge in participatory methodologies, including Living Labs, and conducting qualitative research, a proven track record of facilitating inclusive engagement processes with diverse stakeholders, such as young people, community organisations, and policymakers, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do.  As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process that is free from bias so that we can attract and retain a high performing workforce which makes a critical contribution to our success​.

The University holds the prestigious Athena SWAN Silver institution award, which recognises our significant record of activity and achievement in promoting gender equality across different disciplines.

As a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, we are striving to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Although the Disability Confident 'Committed' level does not guarantee an interview for disabled applicants, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during the recruitment process.

The University also holds the Carer Positive ‘Engaged’ employer award, which recognises our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities.

Glasgow Caledonian University are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception).