Internal Redeployment Only - Research Assistant

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Please note that this job is open only to current members of staff of Cardiff University who are eligible for redeployment.

Internal Redeployment Only - Research Assistant

The Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University is currently seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join our team and work with Dr Chris Whitman and colleagues on a recently funded EPSRC Place Based Impact Accelerator Account project "O Llaith i Gynnes" (From Damp to Warm) which aims to demonstrate how solid masonry walled dwellings of rural Wales, a region of very severe exposure to wind-driven rain, can provide resilient, comfortable, low carbon homes fit for the 21st century. The project is in collaboration with Cardiff University's School of Engineering, Carmarthenshire County Council, The Tywi Centre and the South-west Wales Regional Energy Team. This RA post will focus on implementing detailed and rigorous baseline scientific performance monitoring and evaluation of a farmhouse owned by Carmarthenshire County Council, and exploring innovative representation of the data for a range of end users.

The ideal RA candidate will hold a degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience (essential) and a postgraduate degree at PhD level (or in later stages of postgraduate research study) (desirable) in a relevant subject area such as Architecture, Building Physics, Environmental Engineering, Surveying or any related field. They will have knowledge of building performance monitoring, ideally with an interest in buildings of traditional construction. They will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. The RA will be well versed in graphic skills, and exhibit creativity and innovation in data representation, suitable for educational users, policy makers, homeowners and the wider public.

For informal enquiries about the role and the Welsh School of Architecture, please contact Dr Chris Whitman WhitmanCJ@Cardiff.ac.uk or Lucy Forrester ForresterL@cardiff.ac.uk

This part-time position (20 hours per week) is available in January 2026 and is fixed term for 12 months and your contract will end no later than 11 January 2027.

Applications for flexible working or job share arrangements will also be considered.

Salary: £33,951 - £36,636 per annum, pro-rata for hours worked (Grade 5)
Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale.

Closing date: Monday, 1 December 2025

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

To contribute to research within the area of energy use and performance of traditional solid masonry construction, with a specific focus on building performance monitoring, evaluation and innovative representation of results. Carrying out supporting work that helps lead to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To undertake research by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of in situ building performance monitoring. This will include moisture content, thermal transmittance, and indoor hygrothermal comfort.
• Explore innovative methods for representing measured data suitable for a range of end users, including educational users, policy makers, homeowners and the wider public.
• Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners
• To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages
• To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate
• To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

Other
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Additional Information

Information about Project

This EPSRC Place Based Impact Accelerator Account project "O Llaith i Gynnes" (From Damp to Warm) aims to demonstrate how solid masonry walled dwellings of rural Wales, a region of very severe exposure to wind-driven rain, can provide resilient, comfortable, low carbon homes fit for the 21st century. This collaboration between Cardiff University, Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC), and the South-west Wales Regional Energy Team, will provide a research-informed feasibility study for the CCC owned Bremenda Isaf farmhouse, based on detailed and rigorous baseline scientific monitoring. The project will promote the retention of the embodied carbon, question the perception of these buildings as cold, damp and hard to treat, underline how regular maintenance and appropriate materials can improve efficiency and comfort, champion the importance of traditional building skills, and challenge the misconception that net zero carbon active systems are not compatible with these pre-1919 homes. The outcomes will inform local government policy, influence teaching and training, and enable Welsh Government follow-on funding based on detailed and rigorous baseline scientific monitoring. The project will promote the retention of the embodied carbon, question the perception of these buildings as cold, damp and hard to treat, underline how regular maintenance and appropriate materials can improve efficiency and comfort, champion the importance of traditional building skills, and challenge the misconception that net zero carbon active systems are not compatible with these pre-1919 homes. The outcomes will inform local government policy, influence teaching and training, and enable Welsh Government follow-on funding.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. A degree in a relevant discipline such as such as Architecture, Building Physics, Environmental Engineering, Surveying or any related field, or equivalent experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. Knowledge of research methods and techniques for in situ building performance monitoring and evaluation, including moisture content, thermal transmittance, and indoor hygrothermal comfort.

3. Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately

4. Ability to demonstrate the capability and drive to succeed in securing research funding

Communication and Team Working
5. Proven communication skills, including graphical representation of building performance data for presentation to various audiences

6. Excellent organisational and team-working skills

Other
7. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work

Desirable Criteria

1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or in later stages of postgraduate research study) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

2. Evidence of collaborations with industry

3. Experience of LoRaWAN enabled monitoring.

4. Proven ability to work without close supervision.

5. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.

6. An interest in buildings of traditional construction.

Cardiff University is a public research university located in Cardiff, Wales providing undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across a broad subject range.