Research Support Assistant; RIBA Research Fund

The current opportunity is available for current Manchester Met students, to apply you must be based in the UK for the duration of the role.

RIBA Research Fund 2025 project 'Designing with the Intangible:
Tools for Contemporary Architectural Heritage Practice', led by Dr Johnathan Djabarouti at the Manchester School of Architecture, explores how architects recognise, interpret and work with intangible cultural heritage (such as memory, tradition, skills and lived experience) across the RIBA Plan of Work. It involves professional engagement, development of a stage‑aligned overlay to the Plan of Work, and the production of graphical visually appealing practitioner‑facing tools and resources.

The appointed Research Support Assistant will contribute to the refinement and communication of project outputs, and to the delivery of a peer testing workshop on Thursday 19th March 12‑2pm with invited external professionals from architectural practice and the heritage sector.

• Supporting preparation and delivery of a professional peer testing workshop (Thursday 19 March 2026), including:
  • Assisting with preparation of workshop materials (slides, handouts, prompts)
  • Supporting logistical organisation
  • Taking structured notes and photos during the session
  • Assisting with collation of feedback afterwards
• Assisting in the development of practitioner‑facing outputs, including:
  • Formatting and visually structuring an accessible summary report
  • Supporting development of a Living Heritage Overlay aligned to the RIBA Plan of Work
  • Assisting in the preparation of templates such as a client briefing pack, a "toolbox talk" pack for construction teams, and an integrated slide deck for dissemination
• Developing the coherent graphical style for the full suite of documents, including logo, any illustrations/graphics, and general ‘feel’ of the output set as a package of complimentary works.
• Contributing to the refinement of output structure and usability from a user perspective (clarity, accessibility, layout, legibility)
• Undertaking light research and organisational tasks as directed

Apart from the in‑person workshop on 19th March, the role is primarily remote and requires strong self‑management and attention to detail. Dates: w/c 16th March for 6 weeks. Hours of Work: 9 hours per week. Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to supporting the rights, responsibilities, dignity, health and wellbeing of staff and students through our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Based in the UK for the duration of the role
• Strong written communication skills
• Very strong graphical skills for the production of a digital suite of outputs (high competency in programmes such as InDesign, Illustrator, or similar)
• Excellent attention to detail
• Confident using Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to structure and format documents clearly and professionally
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to take initiative and ‘own’ a project
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
• Comfortable in dynamic workshop settings with a variety of external stakeholders
• Student in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Heritage, or related discipline
• Interest in built heritage, community engagement, or professional practice
• Experience supporting workshops or events