Job Purpose

The Community Innovation Practitioner (CIP) will be embedded within the Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA) unit and the Living Lab at the University of Glasgow. The successful candidate will work with the principal investigator and key stakeholders from government, healthcare, industry, and academia to co-design, develop, and manage content for a creative, user-friendly, and interactive digital platform. This platform will support the Living Lab’s mission to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing around health technology development and evaluation.

The postholder will contribute a design practice approach to this creative engagement, enabling inclusive participation and supporting the delivery of collaborative, community-driven projects.

Main Duties and  Responsibilities

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables, contributing to collaborative, community-led research and innovation projects aligned with the goals of HEHTA, the Living Lab, and the Creative Communities programme.
2. Co-create, build, and maintain a digital engagement platform in collaboration with stakeholders from government, healthcare, industry, and academia, supporting sustainability-focused innovation in health technology.
3. Contribute to the development of the project’s digital strategy by synthesising complex interdisciplinary research findings and stakeholder insights into accessible, evidence-based resources that support collaborative learning, knowledge exchange, and action.
4. Document research outputs, including analysis and interpretation of platform data, stakeholder feedback, and project outcomes; maintain records and databases; and draft progress reports, technical reports, and academic publications.
5. Contribute to the design, development, and evaluation of interactive platform features as part of the research methodology, collecting and analysing data on user engagement through tools for feedback, co-creation, and project tracking.
6. Develop, curate, and critically evaluate platform content in collaboration with partners, ensuring that materials are evidence-based, research-informed, and aligned with sustainability and health technology goals.
7. Organise and facilitate interactive workshops and stakeholder meetings as part of the research process, generating qualitative and quantitative data to test and refine platform content and collaborative project ideas.
8. Contribute to the co-design of dissemination strategies as a research activity, analysing their effectiveness in promoting the platform and its outputs, and supporting knowledge exchange across sectors and communities.
9. Monitor and evaluate platform performance, including user engagement, stakeholder feedback, and the impact of collaborative projects, to inform continuous improvement.
10. Develop and enhance your research profile as a practitioner-researcher in community innovation, contributing to the University of Glasgow’s reputation for inclusive, impact-driven research.
11. Present project outcomes and insights at local, national, and international events, including community forums, academic conferences, and policy workshops.
12. Identify and contribute to funding opportunities that support the continuation or scaling of community innovation initiatives.
13. Develop and sustain partnerships with stakeholders across academia, government, healthcare, industry, and community sectors to enhance collaborative impact.
14. Actively contribute to team meetings, workshops, and knowledge exchange activities that enrich the culture and outputs of the Living Lab and School of Health and Wellbeing.
15. Support the mentoring and development of students, interns, or junior team members involved in community engagement or digital innovation activities.
16. Assist with administrative tasks related to project delivery, including budget tracking, event coordination, and stakeholder communications.
17. Stay informed about current developments in community innovation, digital engagement, and sustainability in health research.
18. Engage in ongoing professional development to enhance both specialist and transferable skills aligned with your career trajectory.
19. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Principal Investigator.
20. Contribute to enhancing the University’s international profile in inclusive innovation and community-led research.

Additional Responsibilities for Appointment at Grade 7

21. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership, and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning and delivering community-led innovation projects, securing funding, building cross-sector collaborations, and contributing to knowledge exchange and publication

22. Establish and sustain a track record of independent and collaborative outputs (e.g. toolkits, reports, digital platforms, or peer-reviewed publications) that demonstrate expertise in community innovation and participatory research.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight several major tasks which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 10 or equivalent, related to product or interaction design. Or the ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role or education system.

A2. Knowledge in product or interaction design

A3. Knowledge of digital transformation strategies

A4. Knowledge of digital/online platform creation

A5. Knowledge of user research principles

A6. Knowledge of stakeholder mapping

For Appointment to Grade 7

A7 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.

Skills

Essential:

C1: Strong digital literacy, including experience with digital engagement tools, platforms, or content creation.

C2: Creativity and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills, especially in co-design and participatory research.

C3: Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including the ability to present complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences.

C4: Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, with a collaborative and inclusive approach.

C5:Effective project and time management skills, including stakeholder coordination, event delivery, budgetary and administrative responsibilities

C6: Competence in data collection and analysis relevant to community engagement and innovation (e.g. qualitative methods, user feedback, platform analytics).

C7: Self-motivation, initiative, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

C8: Problem-solving skills with a flexible and pragmatic approach.

For appointment at Grade 7:

C9: In-depth knowledge of current issues and future directions in community innovation, participatory research, and digital engagement.

C10: Familiarity with relevant tools, platforms, or methodologies used in community-led research and innovation.

C11: Sufficient depth of relevant experience, including independent project leadership or equivalent professional achievements.

Experience

Essential:

E1: Relevant experience in community engagement, participatory research, or innovation practice.

E2: Experience working on interdisciplinary or cross-sector projects.

E3: Experience producing written outputs such as reports, toolkits, or publications.

E4: Proven ability to deliver high-quality outputs on time and in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

E5: Evidence of an emerging track record of contributions to the field (e.g. publications, presentations, digital tools, or community resources).

E6: Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage, including some experience of mentoring.

For appointment at Grade 7:

E7: A track record of presenting and disseminating work through conferences, workshops, or public engagement.

E8: Experience of leading or significantly contributing to collaborative projects or initiatives.

E9: Demonstrated independence in identifying project goals, designing engagement strategies, and delivering outcomes.