Research Assistant (PDRA)

De Montfort University

Main duties and responsibilities

This role sits within the Faculty of Technology, Arts and Culture / School of Creative Industries and Culture. The post is part of the funded UKRI project Entrepreneurship, Art and Science for Environmental Sustainability (EASE), a radical interdisciplinary initiative that embeds artistic co-creation and entrepreneurial thinking within climate research sites.

About the EASE Project

Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Entrepreneurship, Art and Science for Environmental Sustainability (EASE) is a radical, 24-month interdisciplinary initiative designed to transform how climate science is communicated and acted upon. Led by De Montfort University in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Oxford (Ashmolean Museum), and Western University (Canada), EASE embeds artistic co-creation and entrepreneurial thinking directly within active climate research sites.

Research Culture & Partner Network

De Montfort University (DMU) offers a stimulating, inclusive, and globally minded research environment, recognized as a global hub for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a key member of the EASE team, you will join the "Picturing Climate" research cluster, which champions practice-based, interdisciplinary inquiry. You will work alongside a world-class consortium that spans several UK institutions.

The Role

We are seeking a practice-based researcher to lead the development, refinement, and documentation of the Climactic Assemblages Methodology (CAM). You will act as the Artist Venturing Labs Coordinator, helping to organise and facilitate five week-long residencies in Crete that embed artists within scientific fieldwork.

You will contribute to the design of Minimum Valuable Prototypes (MVPs) and undertake practice-based research tasks, such as "Assemblage Mapping" and reflexive journaling, to document interdisciplinary processes.

Research Contribution & Co-Authorship

All team members will be active co-creators of the Climactic Assemblages Methodology (CAM), moving beyond siloed tasks to shape the project's intellectual framework. You will participate in "Monthly CAM Learning Labs" and "Artist Venturing Labs" in Crete, where your specific disciplinary expertise—whether in education, community development, creative practice, or communication—will directly inform the design of Minimum Valuable Prototypes (MVPs).

The Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a specialist in Fine Art, Design, or a related creative discipline, ideally with a completed or near-completed PhD in practice-based research. You must have experience in participating in or coordinating artist residencies or field labs.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of how to document creative processes for academic dissemination and be willing to travel internationally for fieldwork in Greece.

To view the job description and person specification, please click here.

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr. Mark Kasumovic via mark.kasumovic@dmu.ac.uk.