The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We are seeking a fixed-term Research Associate. This is a full-time post, 1.0 FTE, which can be worked flexibly, including hybrid or primarily remote working. The postholder will work as part of the Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre (Creative PEC), funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, on the workstream on Arts, Culture and Heritage, led by Dr Mark Taylor with Professor Dave O’Brien (University of Manchester). 

This workstream will analyse trends in the arts, culture and heritage sectors, including audience behaviours, patterns of attendance, participation and engagement, organisational resilience and sustainability, funding trends, and inequalities.

This role will incorporate various research activities, including the quantitative analysis of secondary survey data; organising, structuring and analysing alternative data sources; and mapping and visualising data. In addition to analysis, the role will also involve writing reports and other policy documents and engaging with policy stakeholders. We expect our research to result in several high-quality academic publications and policy outputs. You will have the opportunity to lead on some team-authored outputs, and you will be supported to develop your own longer-term development as an academic or applied researcher.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Analyse survey datasets hosted at the UK Data Service relevant to Arts, Culture and Heritage (for example, the DCMS Participation Survey; Labour Force Survey; Understanding Society).

• Analyse data hosted through the ONS Secure Research Service relevant to Arts, Culture and Heritage (for example, the ONS Longitudinal Study; Longitudinal Education Outcomes).

• Analyse data available in other formats (for example, data accessed through API; webscraped data).

• Contribute to the writing and production of State of the Nation reports.

• Contribute to and lead on preparations of presentations for dissemination events associated with State of the Nation reports.

• Contribute to and lead on preparation of academic journal articles.

• Contribute to and lead on preparation of presentations to be delivered at internal seminars and national and international conferences.

• Assist in communication about the project e.g.: blogs and other media outputs.

• Liaise closely with the workstream team, the broader PEC team, stakeholders in the creative industries, and PEC governance structures.

• Keep up to date with ongoing research associated with current projects.

• Contribute to organising an end-of project dissemination event aimed at both academic and non-academic audiences, and other impact, knowledge exchange and dissemination activities, including conference attendance.

• Undertake relevant skills development activities to support your transition to becoming an independent researcher.

• Contribute to the design and development of further research proposals, if necessary.

• Manage your own time and adhere to agreed timetables.

• Make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’, including the achievement of excellence in research and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in your subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole. Further information on the underpinning values of the Sheffield Academic can be found at: Sheffield Academic.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification 

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place towards the end of January.This will consist of an interview which will take place remotely. Interview questions will be shared with shortlisted candidates at this stage. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact edc-ops@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 18/02/2026 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.