Research Assistant (20% FTE) in Bangor

Applications are invited for an innovative, fixed-term (6 months) part-time (7.25 hours per week) position working with Bangor University's School of Arts, Culture and Language in collaboration with colleagues from Public Map, a project that works with communities to reveal local need, support evidence-based action, and shape better futures. The post focuses on the role of the Welsh language as part of this engagement with communities in Wales.

Are you passionate about engaging with communities about what matters to them, in the language that they feel at home in? This role offers a unique opportunity to make a difference by highlighting the significance and effects of language choice, with relevance to heritage, place attachment, identity and belonging.

In this exciting position, you'll collaborate with leading academics in the field as well as a variety of stakeholders to develop, systematise and refine insights gained in the project around the use of language, building on several years of Public Map work but extending the research agenda as well as identifying ways of measuring impact. The project will develop dynamically and you will be encouraged to bring in your own experience and perspective to enhance and inform the scope of activities during this short-term employment.

The ideal candidate will bring creativity, community engagement and co-creation experience, applying their skills in working with stakeholders and Public Map staff to identify feasible ways of capturing insights on, and impacts of, the role of Welsh in relation to Public Map activities. Communicative skills and in-depth insights about the Welsh language will be as important as a clear grasp of associated research, experience with social science research methods, and a systematic approach to analyse language and language-relevant data.

Candidates should be educated at least to an undergraduate degree standard (or equivalent) in social sciences, linguistics with a focus on communication and discourse, language planning and policies, or a related field, with experience in community engagement. Fluency in Welsh is essential, and in-depth understanding of controversies around the language is highly desirable (including lived experience if relevant). The successful candidate will be self-motivated, confident, able to work independently, and possess excellent communication skills to engage with diverse audiences.

If you’re ready to apply your skills to support recognition of the significance of Welsh in a community engagement context, while enhancing your professional portfolio, this position offers excellent development potential in a supportive and flexible working environment.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence on 1st October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is essential for this role. The role will be hybrid, with flexibility to work from home and Bangor University offices. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there is flexibility to support work-life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting: Professor Thora Tenbrink, Professor of Linguistics, School of Arts, Culture and Language.

The post is part of a collaborative research effort highlighting the significance of Welsh language practices in community contexts. Planned work includes further engagement with Public Map staff, communities and stakeholders (such as language promoting agencies) to identify, develop and implement next steps on this journey of discovery.

The post holder will be responsible for co‑creating and supporting activities that may include, but won’t be limited to, the following:

• Co‑develop a use case with a language promoting organisation on how to encourage Welsh language speaking in relation to Public Map activities and assets.
• Measure impact of ‘Working with Welsh’ in the staff team.
• Measure impact on communities regarding language use or awareness of Welsh through Public Map activities.
• Support local schools in mapping places where Welsh is spoken.
• Support development of a research study on how Welsh enables a different perspective and understanding of nature and culture, facilitated by the mechanisms of Public Map.
• Connect with Public Map staff to consider further activities within the scope of this project.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Rapid literature review: Desk-based research to consolidate insights relevant to the scope of this project to date, produced both within and independent of Public Map.
• Collaborative Co-Design: Work closely with Bangor University supervisor, Public Map staff, and stakeholders to agree on activities as outlined above.
• Analysis and Action: Systematically record and analyse the contributions from various events and meetings held to co-develop the research agenda and capture impact.
• Project Communication and Reporting: Provide regular progress updates to the project team; prepare and deliver presentations to academic and non-academic audiences; maintain thorough documentation of methodologies and datasets; contribute to publications and dissemination activities.
• Project Management: Support the monitoring of project progress against project goals; help identify and address operational risks; coordinate tasks between university and partners; support timely delivery of project objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain effective communication with all stakeholders; translate complex scientific concepts into clear, non-technical language; foster strong relationships to support and establish collaboration and trust beyond the duration of the project.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

The post holder will be expected to participate in job-relevant developmental activities offered by the University. The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme. The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.

Qualifications / Training:

• Undergraduate degree in social sciences, linguistics with a focus on communication and discourse, language policy and planning, or a related field.

Experience / Knowledge:

• Experience with community engagement and co‑creation.
• Experience with social science research methods.
• In‑depth understanding of controversies around the Welsh language, including lived experience if relevant.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in knowledge transfer between academic and community environments.

Skills / Abilities:

• The ability to speak Welsh fluently and carry out tasks such as writing emails in Welsh to a variety of audiences is essential for this post.
• Ability to understand and consolidate relevant research insights quickly.
• A systematic approach to analyse language and language‑relevant data.
• Strong intrinsic motivation and confidence for working independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to engage with highly diverse audiences.
• Ability to adapt to evolving project requirements and work flexibly across academic and non-academic contexts.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload, manage deadlines, and work independently as well as part of a distributed team.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate complex information into actionable insights.

Other Essential:

• Willingness to travel within Wales for meetings, workshops, and field visits.
• Driving licence.

The 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. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity.