Job Description

Design Research Associate - Design for Sustainability
Based in the heart of Manchester and established in 1838, Manchester School of Art is one of the oldest design schools in Britain. We offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses that provide our students with the essential skills and knowledge for their chosen career, as well as a stimulating research environment. While we are intellectually and academically challenging, we also place great importance on experimentation, creativity and developing discipline-appropriate approaches to research. Manchester School of Art is ranked second in the UK for the overall research power in Art and Design in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021), which assesses the quality of research at UK universities.
About the role
Applications are invited for a Senior Research Associate in Design for Sustainability to work alongside experienced professors with a well-established research portfolio. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of new areas in the field, especially design's relationship to social and environmental sustainability, human values, the climate crisis and the green transition.
With a PhD in design, sustainability or related area, you will have a strong track record of peer-reviewed publications and be able to demonstrate self-direction, a working knowledge of a range of research methods, and an ability to synthesise and present findings in a timely and effective manner. We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate competence in 'research-through-design'.
You will have opportunities to develop abilities in funding applications, establishing research partnerships, and engaging with practitioners across a range of design fields. Depending on career aspirations, there will also be opportunities to gain experience in lecturing, delivering seminars and overseeing research-related student projects.
For informal queries, please contact:
Professor Martyn Evans on
Professor Stuart Walker on
If you are interested in this role, please click on 'apply now' where you will be asked to submit a CV and a covering letter describing how your research aligns with Design for Sustainability, your knowledge, abilities and experience in the field, and your suitability for the position.
Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.
Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.
Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached for that vacancy.
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