Adapting Together: Building Local Resilience through Lived Experience and Partnership uses participatory methods to explore community vulnerability and adaptation to extreme heat in Crawley, West Sussex. You will work closely with the University and WSCC to undertake community-based work to achieve the project aims. This role involves the development of appropriate strategies for inclusive community engagement and data gathering, including targeted outreach to identify and recruit under-represented Crawley residents for participation in the project, thus ensuring diverse voices are represented. As Research Officer, you will: 

• Lead the design and implementation of participatory mapping tools to capture lived experience of climate change-related heat stress, and the facilitation of community-based co-design of locally appropriate strategies to mitigate exposure to heat;
• Facilitate the transition from gathering insights to developing a concrete community-focused adaptation project (e.g., green shading, cooling centres, or communication networks) for Crawley 
• Lead the creation of a reproducible community engagement framework for heat adaptation that could be utilised by other UK local authorities. 
• Participate in interim reporting to the project funder, lead on analysis of project data and contribute substantially to report-writing and output development. 

 In order to be successful in this role, you should have:

• A degree preferably in a social science subject relevant to researching community experiences of climate change impacts. 
• Sufficient, up to date breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline, which should include a basic understanding of climate change impacts, urban heat stress and social vulnerability.
• Some research experience, and developing further skills in and knowledge of research methods and techniques, including the design and implementation of participatory mapping, Photovoice, or similar community-led data collection methods.
• Familiarity with the Crawley area and/or experience working within West Sussex community structures.
• Proven ability to engage "seldom-heard" groups or residents facing socio-economic barriers. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills in order to liaise with stakeholders, attend and contribute to meetings associated with the project/

This is a part-time position (0.4FTE) for a duration of six months, based at the University of Brighton and with significant “on-the-ground” presence in Crawley. You will be expected to work flexibly to accommodate project participant schedules (e.g. weekends or late afternoons in Crawley libraries).

The nature of this role will mean that a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required.

As this is a short-term fractional appointment, job-sharing is not possible for this role. 

Closing Date: 05 May 2026

Team/Division: Academic

Salary: £36,636 to £39,906 pro rata

You will be working within the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices, School of Applied Sciences, and will take a key role in developing nanocarriers and peptides able to release anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agents in a controlled manner.  You will have the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team and being keen to travel to technical meetings and conferences across Europe.

In order to be successful in this role you should have:

• A PhD in Biomaterials or in any other relevant discipline
• Previous experience in biomaterials hydrogels for tissue regeneration and/or nanocarriers for controlled drug release
• Competence in biomaterial science, spray/dip/cast-coating methodologies, in vitro biocompatibility tests of biomaterials
• Knowledge of relevant health and safety requirements

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and the skills and experience required.

This a full-time position will be for 12 months with a possibility of extension up to 24 months pending project progress and budget. 

Closing Date: 06 May 2026

Team/Division: Academic

Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum

Working alongside a research fellow in biomedical polymer technology, you will be expected to contribute to the development of novel clinically reflective bioassays to support the biological evaluation of novel approaches to improve the performance polymeric hydrogel materials used in contact lens applications.

To succeed in the role, you will need:

• a relevant (1 or 2:1) degree in a relevant biological discipline and a relevant post-graduate qualification/PhD or equivalent professional experience
• knowledge and competence in the bioevaluation of materials using modern bioanalytical techniques in cell and molecular biology such as cell and organ culture, western blotting, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, proteomics/genomics. 
• an ability to creatively translate knowledge to support innovation across disciplinary boundaries
• a curiosity driven approach to investigative research and commitment to highest standards of laboratory practice.
• an ability to communicate complex information clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing using appropriate IT skills
• an ability to work as part of a team in an academic/industrial environment working to strict deadlines in terms of project deliverables

The post is fixed-term until 30/11/2026 to provide maternity cover within an industry funded project.  It is a full-time role, however we welcome applications from candidates seeking to job share.  

For an informal discussion please contact Professor Susan Sandeman by e-mailing s.sandeman@brighton.ac.uk

Due to the fixed term nature of this role, the ideal candidate would be able to start within 4 weeks of appointment.

Closing Date: 04 May 2026

Team/Division: Academic

Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum