The Post
The University of Stirling Management School seeks to appoint a Research Assistant to support the development of an AI-enabled Cultural Brand Diagnostic Application as part of an ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA)–funded research commercialisation project.
The project aims to develop an early-stage Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that enables marketing practitioners to evaluate and optimise the cultural fit of brand communications across international market contexts.
The system will allow users to:
1. Upload selected marketing assets (e.g. campaign visuals, copy, video content)
2. Configure analytical parameters via a simplified dashboard (e.g. target segment, geographic context, analytic lenses)
3. Execute an AI-supported cultural brand fit analysis
4. Receive a structured diagnostic output including
In addition to supporting cultural fit assessment, the system will incorporate configurable analytic lenses designed to surface potential autonomy-sensitive risks associated with campaign deployment (e.g. preference instability, symbolic over-assertion, or narrative misalignment within local contexts). These features are intended to support reflectively mediated optimisation decisions prior to campaign deployment.
The developed system will not constitute a full commercial MVP but must enable end-to-end execution of a complete cultural diagnostic chain within a defined range of analytic configurations.
The Research Assistant will contribute to the design and implementation of a modular diagnostic engine that enables marketing practitioners to configure, execute, and interpret AI-assisted cultural brand fit analyses within a structured decision-support environment.
This will involve:
5. developing prompt-driven analytic workflows for cultural inference across marketing assets
6. connecting user-selected analytic configurations to model inference pathways
7. implementing a functional MVP interface through which users can upload assets, configure analyses, execute diagnostics, and receive structured outputs
In doing so, the successful candidate will contribute to the development of optimisation environments that measurably influence campaign configuration decisions in autonomy-relevant directions prior to deployment.
Description of Duties
The Research Assistant will:
8. Develop prompt-driven analytic workflows using GPT-class APIs
9. Assist in structuring analytic configuration pathways within the diagnostic engine
10. Contribute to the development of a functional MVP interface enabling asset upload, analytic configuration, and diagnostic execution
11. Connect user-selected analytic lenses (e.g. cultural resonance, norm conflict detection, symbolic intensity) to inference pathways within the application
12. Support the integration of asset input, analytic configuration, and diagnostic output pipelines
13. Contribute to the development of structured output displays and recommendation pathways
14. Assist in implementing logging functionality to capture user configuration and override behaviour within the application environment
15. Collaborate with project partners on MVP development and testing processes
16. Assist with documentation of analytic logic for research and commercialisation purposes
Essential Criteria
17. Postgraduate qualification (or near completion) in Marketing, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Human–Computer Interaction, Information Systems, or related field
18. Demonstrable experience working with Large Language Model APIs (e.g. GPT-class systems) in applied development contexts
19. Experience with prompt engineering for structured inference or analytic workflows
20. Proficiency in Python (or equivalent) for API interaction and workflow implementation
21. Experience building or prototyping simple user interfaces for data or AI-driven applications (e.g. using Streamlit, Gradio, Dash, Flask, or equivalent frameworks)
22. Ability to integrate user input, model inference, and structured output within an interactive application environment
23. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
24. Ability to work across research and product-development contexts
Desirable Criteria
25. Experience contributing to early-stage digital product or MVP development
26. Familiarity with dashboard logic or workflow configuration tools
27. Interest in decision-support systems or responsible AI applications in marketing
28. Experience collaborating in interdisciplinary research or innovation projects
Additional Information
Part time (20%FTE)
Fixed term for 12 months
Grade 6: £31,236 - £37,694 p.a. pro-rata
The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 24 March 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place Thursday 02 April 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
29. Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
30. Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
31. Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
32. Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
33. Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
34. Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
35. Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
36. Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
37. Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.