Role:  Research Associate in community cultural growth through music & related technologies

Department: School of Communication & Media

Grade: 6/7 (£33,020 - £38,805 per annum)

Responsible to: Principal Investigator

Campus: Belfast

Fixed-Term until 17th March 2027 / Full-time 

Job Purpose:

We are seeking to appoint a Research Associate to work on the AHRC-funded DUETT project.   The post holder will work within a multi-disciplinary team, in collaboration with Ulster Orchestra staff,  Ulster University academic co-investigators and community partners and will support Ulster University and the Ulster Orchestra in delivering the Research programme for the DUETT  (Directing Urban Energies to Townsend) project.  DUETT is a UKRI/AHRC-funded £100K programme.  DUETT will work with the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast researching strategies to access and contribute to the creative lives of disenfranchised young people.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with both the Ulster Orchestra and inner-city community groups, building strategies whereby the young people involved can express their creative potential.

Closing Date: 5th October 2026 at 23.30

Guidance regarding applications can be found here:   https://recruitment.ulster.ac.uk/information-for-applicants/what-to-expect-from-the-application-and-interview-process. If you are still having issues, please contact Elaine Graham on e.graham@ulster.ac.uk stating the vacancy reference number.

Click on the links below for any relevant documents – Please note, these documents will not be available after the job advert closes. Please ensure that you download and save these.

Salary Scale

Candidate Briefing Document - Research Associate - 043846

Please be advised that due to the minimum salary thresholds imposed by the UKVI, this post will not qualify for university sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please check your options here:  https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa**

If you have any specific queries regarding eligibility to work in the UK, the Resourcing Compliance team may be able to assist: Resourcing-compliance@ulster.ac.uk

Please note that Ulster University does not currently offer reimbursement for any costs associated with visa applications, including the Immigration Health Surcharge.

If you have any specific queries regarding this post, please contact the named email address for the vacancy, as listed on the main current vacancies landing page.

We may create a 12-month waiting list for same or similar roles within the Department / Faculty.  The University reserves the right to extend the waiting list across the University if required for certain posts.

Ulster University recognises the potential benefits that Generative AI tools (for example Chat GPT) may bring to some candidates during the application process. In particular, we recognise the positive impact such tools may have with regard to equality, diversity and inclusion. When using AI, however, we encourage candidates to use the technology responsibly, ensuring that submitted applications provide an accurate representation of your skills, abilities and experience. Our selection activities are designed to robustly test and evaluate the extent to which candidates meet the selection criteria outlined for each role. This includes the use of interviews, presentations, written exercises and other additional selection activities as appropriate for each role.

The School of Communication & Media holds a Bronze Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our commitment to advancing Gender equality in higher education. You can read more about what this means at https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/equality-charters/transformed-uk-athena-swan-charter and on our University website https://www.ulster.ac.uk/peopleandculture/employee-benefits/equality-diversity/athena-swan. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment, including flexible working.