Research Associate in Reusable Plastic Packaging Systems

Contract type: Fixed-term for 12 months.

Working pattern: Full-time or 80% with working days to be agreed with successful candidate.

Location: Sheffield (School of Geography and Planning Building) & Hybrid

We have an exciting opportunity in the School of Geography and Planning at The University of Sheffield. You will join a multidisciplinary team working on the ‘BUDDIE-PACK’ project (‘Business driven systemic solutions for sustainable plastic packaging reuse schemes in mass market applications’), as part of a work package that focuses on social and behavioural innovation for reusable plastic packaging.

You will join the BUDDIE-PACK project, which aims to design large-scale reusable plastic packaging systems informed by a multidisciplinary approach combining social, technological, and economic innovations. BUDDIE-PACK is led by the Centre Technique Industriel de la Plasturgie et des Composites (IPC, based in France) in collaboration with around 20 other partners representing packaging manufacturers and designers, brand owners, and retailers. Started in 2022 and running to 2026, BUDDIE-PACK studies six different, mass market applications, which cover a range of applications for reusable plastic packaging (e.g., catering in professional environments, takeaways) and distribution models (e.g., retailer packaging, packaging for the sales of loose goods).

As part of this project, you will lead Task 2.1, alongside Dr. Rorie Beswick-Parsons, taking the lead on recruiting and engaging with actors within the food service industry (including primarily business owners, managers, and kitchen staff of pubs and restaurants, as well as suppliers and manufacturers) to understand the potential of reusable plastic packaging for raw meat products and, potentially, further analysis of ethnographic research (including written observations, interview transcripts, and digital diaries) that has already been conducted. You will be part of a broader team of investigators at the University of Sheffield, including Dr Sophie Pott, Professor Thomas Webb, Mrs Sarah Greenwood, Professor Tony Ryan, Dr Alex Newman, and Professor Rachael Rothman.

You should hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in Human Geography, Sociology or a closely related discipline, with strong expertise and skills in conducting interviews and making field notes/observations during site visits. You will not only be part of a multidisciplinary team at The University of Sheffield, but you will also work with a variety of leading businesses and organisations at the forefront of circular economy innovation and applications for packaging across Europe. Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team and effective communication skills are therefore essential.

As a Geography department, we are well placed for the interdisciplinary approaches required for confronting urgent global issues. As well as being committed to dialogue across the range of the discipline, colleagues in the department and BUDDIE-PACK project team play a role in the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures (GCSF). The GCSF brings collaborators together across academic disciplines, business and policy to create knowledge that will deliver global health, prosperity and wellbeing within planetary boundaries. Underpinned by the triple bottom line; that is we must be environmentally, economically and socially sustainable, the centre’s goals are to ensure there is enough for everyone whilst at the same time reducing global consumption of resources.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

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