Join our team!
Research Associate in BioArt and Sociocultural Engagement in Living Buildings
Overview
We are seeking a creative researcher to join the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment who will carry out novel research that will draw on humanities, social sciences and biology engagement activities. The Hub (HBBE) is an exciting new collaboration between Newcastle University and Northumbria University supported by £8M of research funding. Our vision is to develop biotechnologies to create a new generation of Living Buildings which are responsive to their natural environment; grown using living engineered materials to reduce inefficient industrial construction processes; metabolise their own waste, reducing pollution and generating energy and high-value products, and modulate their microbiome to benefit human health and wellbeing.
You should be a creative, highly motivated and adaptable artist with experience of engaging with community groups, who will work with Dr Carmen McLeod to support studies on the social and cultural dimensions of HBBE-related research projects. A key element of this research will be based on developing a community of households who would act as an ‘extended family’ for the HBBE and our experimental house (the ‘OME’). The appointed person will be required to develop novel art and biology-based engagement experiments with householders as well as a community exhibition in early 2023. The researcher will work across all of our themes which include: Responsible Interactions, Building Metabolisms, Microbial Environments and Living Construction.
Past experience in conducting qualitative research in a biotechnology, industry or emerging technology context is essential, as is evidence of the ability to curate an exhibition. The person appointed will have the opportunity to use their initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop research methods and extend their research portfolio.
The post is offered full-time or part-time (with flexible working options available) and fixed-term from December 2021 – March 2023.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Carmen McLeod, carmen.mcleod@newcastle.ac.uk or Prof. Martyn Dade-Robertson martyn.dade-robertson@newcastle.ac.uk Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.
Closing Date: 1st November 2021
Salary: £30,942 to £32,817 per annum
Contract Type: Full-time / Fixed-term / From earliest possible 2021 – March 2023
Full Description: For more information please click here.