Research Associate - Digital Decarbonisation in Sound Heritage at Loughborough University

Research Associate - Digital Decarbonisation in Sound Heritage at Loughborough University in Loughborough, ENG, GB.

This Full time on site position offers great opportunities for career growth. The position is part-time (0.6FTE) and fixed term for a period of 9 months.

About the University

Universities are one of this country's greatest assets. We are educators, employers, innovators and pioneers. We shape culture and society. At Loughborough, we strive for better, think differently, challenge convention and take action. We are passionate about finding solutions to the major problems faced by society and the planet, and we create opportunities for those with the drive, the ambition, and the determination to apply themselves in the pursuit of better.

About Loughborough Business School

We are a vibrant, research-led school with a strong reputation for academic excellence, real-world impact and an inclusive, collaborative culture. It is among an elite global group of business schools to hold triple accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, and was named a PRME Champion (2024-2025) for its leadership in responsible management education. The School also holds Small Business Charter accreditation and a Bronze Athena Swan Award, reflecting its commitment to entrepreneurship, equality and positive societal impact, and offers a supportive and forward-looking environment in which staff and students can thrive.

Role Overview

Here’s more about the role and what we are looking for: This role forms part of Sounds of the Midlands, an ambitious project led by the University of Leicester and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Sounds of the Midlands is focused on the digital preservation of around 10,000 sound recordings, representing more than 10TB of audio heritage material. The project explores how valuable cultural collections can be preserved, processed, and made accessible in ways that also reduce environmental impact.

Working with academic and sector partners, the postholder will help develop practical approaches to lower-carbon digitisation and digital preservation, including a Digital Decarbonisation Playbook for use across the heritage sector. You will be required to support the delivery of an applied research and innovation project focused on reducing the environmental impact of digital preservation in sound heritage. The postholder will help assess current workflows, identify practical improvement opportunities, and translate findings into clear guidance, tools, and engagement activities for use by project partners and the wider heritage sector.

Application Process & Adjustments

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process. If there are additional adjustments you would like to request, please contact Professor Tom Jackson at T.W.Jackson@lboro.ac.uk. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

Closing Date: 23 September 2026

Interview Date: 29 September 2026

Our Benefits

At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:

• Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.
• Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
• Financial wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.
• Support for you and those close to you - through a range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.
• Health and wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.
• Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.

Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.