We are seeking an interdisciplinary RA to join ARISE, a UKRI-funded research programme focused on building resilience in the UK’s coastal seas and communities. This 30-month post forms part of an exciting strand of work exploring the role of creativity in education, healthcare, and well-being within coastal communities, and aims to develop innovative, ecologically valid methods for understanding and supporting evaluation of creative processes. Central to this role is the design of a suite of digital systems for this evaluation, including AI, that are not only technically robust but also inclusive and grounded in real-world human experience.
As a Research Associate you can expect to:
Co-lead the development of a novel mixed-methods framework that combines qualitative insight with scalable digital methods.Conduct in-depth qualitative analysis (e.g. thematic and narrative coding) to understand creative processes.Collaborate with external partners (educators, artists, healthcare workers,[CS1.1] technologists) in co-designed research and evaluation.What you will bring to the role:
A relevant postgraduate degree (PhD) or equivalentProven experience in conducting research projects, including observational and interpretive methods, data collection and analysis Practical experience using and integrating AI tools or APIs (e.g. NLP models, computer vision, AI agents) into research prototypes or applicationsPlease note that you may be required to work on-site across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent as well as remotely. For further information about the project please see https://easternarc.ac.uk/arise
What we can offer in return:
As a member of our team, you can expect a friendly, open and collaborative working environment and support in your development and wellbeing. You'll enjoy a range of great staff benefits including:
Hybrid working options allowing a flexible blend of office and home working (to be agreed in line with business needs)43 days' leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff)Excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributionsCorporate employee-funded healthcare plan, in partnership with Benenden HealthFor more information about what you can look forward to if you join us, visit our dedicated webpage: Working at Kent
We are ambitious for our people, our communities and the region we serve – join us in making the world a better place. Visit our website for more on who we are: http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/
Please see the links below to view the full job description and to apply for this post. For further information regarding the application process, please contact peopleserviceshr@kent.ac.uk quoting reference number SOC-008-25.
Closing Date: 07 Aug 2025
Section: Research
Salary: £39,355 to £44,128 per annum pro rata