Research Fellow (Fashion Technologies) - (7489)

Fellowship Opportunity: Fashion Technologies

Manchester Fashion Institute (MFI) at Manchester Metropolitan: 

Manchester Fashion Institute is a leading global fashion school making contributions in teaching and research across fashion disciplines that include design, cultures and heritage, communication, business and technology. We collaborate with the wider Faculty of Arts and Humanities, notably with our new School of Digital Arts (SODA), as well as other Faculties such as Business and Law, Science and Engineering and the Institute of Sport.  We are leading the way in research across a range of fashion technologies to explore applied solutions to the sustainability challenge. Our research activity in this space includes the world leading Robotics Living Lab (RoLL), design for circularity, closed loop manufacturing, digital design, reshoring of manufacturing/supply chain and sustainable consumption. We bring together talent and industry, creativity and technology, experience and intuition

 MFI academics have recently secured a multimillion pound research infrastructure bid to build a new fashion robotics research lab, due for completion in 2024. Our external engagement continues to grow through international collaborations and a newly formed External Advisory Group and we are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the Chartered Management Institute and the Textile Institute. We are also members of the British Fashion Council, the International Foundation for Fashion Technology Institutes and the Graduate Fashion Foundation.      

The research group in Manchester Fashion Institute aims to advance critical fashion thinking and practice around cutting-edge topics such as ethics, diversity, sustainability, digital innovation, supply chains, and consumption, with a focus on fashion as a force for good in society at large. Our research community includes cultural historians, designers, technologists, and social scientists. We work on conceptual and applied research, and across various methodologies including practice-based research. We consider fashion in its broadest sense, from a material or digital object to an expanded field of cultural activity over space and time, to a context for commercial activity. The Fashion research group is made up of 3 broad thematic priorities, with cross-cutting themes of sustainability, digital, and EDI, with groups of researchers primarily working on:

• Fashion Technologies
• Fashion Cultures and Narratives
• Fashion Business and Consumption

About the role: 

• To undertake world-leading and internationally excellent research using latest and innovative methodologies, as relevant in your area of research. 

• To prepare, present and publish research outputs through the appropriate forums e.g. research workshops, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, portfolios, academic journals etc. 

• To develop ideas for generating income to ensure the continued success and growth of research portfolio.  

• To disseminate findings of research widely to further the institution's standing in the HE and research community and strengthen the impact of the research.

• To engage in scholarly activities conducive to a long-term successful academic career that will support and enhance the research culture within the Department/ School, Faculty and University.

About the candidate: 

You will join the growing Fashion Technologies research cluster to support the leading research coalesced around the Robotics Living Lab and/or further into the broader sustainability theme with a view to leading on complementary areas of research.

You will have an understanding of robotics and cobot developments and new fashion technologies with established networks to fashion manufacturers, robotics, and industry 4.0 incubators, UK. You will also have insight and understanding of the reshoring and/or sustainability policy agenda.

Requirements: 

• Doctoral level qualification in a related research area. 

• Possess breadth or depth of specialist knowledge and demonstrate potential for research independence.

• Excellent track record of relevant research outputs. 

• Significant research experience in the chosen field of research, which should include where appropriate: 
  • leading the work of a team, co-ordinating effort and resources to meet objectives 
  • developing partnerships within the University and with external agencies  
  • preparing funding proposals and applications to external bodies 
  • using initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches to research 
  • synthesising complex data from different sources and communicating findings via written reports and articles 
  • presenting at national and/or international research meetings 
  • supervising student work and providing appropriate support and feedback. 

• Experience of managing and monitoring performance of research projects in multi-disciplinary teams.

• Ability to manage projects involving academic institutions and funding bodies. 

Please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification for a full list of essential & desirable criteria. 

Academic Contact: Prof Liz Barnes (l.barnes@mmu.ac.uk) to discuss the fellowship opportunity in detail. 

Application Process: 

To apply to the Fellowship, please provide the following documents: 

• Research Interest Statement (no more than two sides of A4, font size 11, 2 cms margin): Statement should include your long-term career aspirations, how your research till date and plans to develop and contribute towards your research interest in the future will impact the University's Research Strategy whilst working with an existing team of researchers.  

• Research Proposal (no more than four sides of A4, font size 11, 2 cm margins): Kindly provide a research proposal focused on a specific topic within the research faculty you are applying for. The proposal should be accompanied by a Gantt chart outlining a 3-year research timeline.  

• Curriculum Vitae (include details of your education, citizenship, publications, funding, employment history & names of referees) 

Please note that panels will not consider attachments that fall outside of the limits, where specified. 

We aim to offer up to a maximum of 15 fellow appointments, for which we will be assessing applicants competitively across the four faculties that are welcoming applications. 

Assessment Timelines: 

• The application window will be available for 8 weeks and will close on 29 May 2024
• Interviews will be held on-site in Manchester (where practical) in the w/c 17 and 24 June 2024
• We aim to make offers to successful candidates in the w/c 03 July 2024

Enquiries:  

If you haven't found your specific area of research, please click here to sign up to our job alerts. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on researchfellowships@mmu.ac.uk  

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from our local and international communities, in particular people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.    

We recognise the benefits and importance of an environment that supports flexible working and are open to conversations about this throughout the application process.  

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