Research Support Assistant - Fixed term Contract

Mulberry

Born in 1971, the roots of Mulberry are in Somerset, England. For more than fifty years, Mulberry has been a British lifestyle brand, internationally acclaimed for quality and design capturing the Mulberry Spirit. Sustainability has been part of the Mulberry ethos since the brand's inception, in recognition of our purpose-driven approach, in 2024 we proudly achieved B Corp Certification.  Today, we are a global brand, but our values remain the same; we are committed to improving our impact on people and the planet. To do this our people are honest, dynamic, and community spirited. If these are values you share, we would love you to join our team. Scope of the Role: We are looking for a passionate and creatively driven Leather Goods Design Assistant to join our Leather Goods & Lifestyle Accessories Design team. This is an exciting opportunity that would suit a recent graduate seeking hands-on experience within a design environment, supporting the development of handbags, small leather goods, jewellery, and lifestyle accessories. The role will provide exposure to the full creative process, from concept research and sketch development through to prototyping and product development. Working closely with the wider design team, you will gain valuable industry experience while contributing to seasonal projects and day-to-day studio activities. Duties & Responsibilities: Support the design team across handbags, small leather goods, jewellery, and lifestyle accessory categories Assist with seasonal research including inspiration, materials, colour palettes, trends, and competitor analysis Create sketches, renderings, mood boards, and presentation materials Support the preparation of technical specification sheets and product documentation Assist with Photoshop renderings and visual presentations Help create physical mock-ups and prototype samples Support material organisation, archive management, and studio administration Assist the team during product development and sample review processes Contribute creatively to design discussions and seasonal concepts Culture: Embrace and demonstrate the Mulberry values and behaviours: honesty, dynamism, and a community-oriented spirit. Support Mulberry to deliver an inclusive culture, through behaving in a way that is open-minded and respectful towards others, and understanding that your views, opinions, and experiences may not always be shared by your colleagues. Act as an ambassador for Mulberry and communicate positively about the brand. Sustainability: As a certified B Corp, we are committed to using business as a force for good. You’ll be encouraged to incorporate environmentally and socially responsible practices into your work, supporting our Made to Last strategy across Climate, Circularity, and Community. Help foster a culture where diversity is celebrated and every individual feels valued, respected, and included. Champion equity, empathy, and understanding in all interactions - internally and externally. Skills & Knowledge: Degree in Fashion Accessories, Product Design, Leather Goods Design, or a related discipline Previous internship or university project experience within accessories, leather goods, or lifestyle products Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and Illustrator Strong hand drawing and visual communication skills Understanding of technical specification sheets and product documentation Ability to create physical mock-ups and models Familiarity with 3D design software is advantageous Basic knowledge of Salpa 3D pattern cutting techniques is desirable Interest in materials research, trims, and craftsmanship Strong interest in fashion, arts, design, and culture Curious, proactive, and enthusiastic with a collaborative mindset Strong organisational skills and attention to detail Eagerness to learn and develop within a fast-paced creative environment This placement would suit a highly motivated and creatively curious individual looking to gain meaningful experience within a dynamic luxury accessories design team and develop an understanding of the end-to-end design and development process.

Mulberry

Born in 1971, the roots of Mulberry are in Somerset, England. For more than fifty years, Mulberry has been a British lifestyle brand, internationally acclaimed for quality and design capturing the Mulberry Spirit. Sustainability has been part of the Mulberry ethos since the brand's inception, in recognition of our purpose-driven approach, in 2024 we proudly achieved B Corp Certification.  Today, we are a global brand, but our values remain the same; we are committed to improving our impact on people and the planet. To do this our people are honest, dynamic, and community spirited. If these are values you share, we would love you to join our team. Scope of the Role: We are looking for a Visual Experience Design Assistant to join the Image Team on a fixed-term contract, supporting the Visual Experience team. Reporting directly to the Senior Manager, Visual Experience, this role will play a key part in shaping immersive and elevated brand environments across spatial, retail, and visual storytelling projects. The ideal candidate brings a refined creative sensibility, and advanced technical execution across 3D and visual design. Duties & Responsibilities: Support the Senior Visual Experience Design Manager and Visual Experience Production Manager in developing compelling brand experiences from Window Design Projects, through to Marketing Activations, Retail Environments, Events and Showrooms.  This role will have a strong focus on spatial design with the ability to think conceptually, present ideas and also support with moving projects into production by briefing in our supplier network or researching new suppliers as required.  Taking creative direction this role will support with mood board development, material research, 3D design and visualisation and technical drawings.  Stay connected to contemporary art, culture, architecture, fashion, and design movements to continuously inspire and elevate creative output. Culture: Embrace and demonstrate the Mulberry values and behaviours: honesty, dynamism, and a community-oriented spirit. Support Mulberry to deliver an inclusive culture, through behaving in a way that is open-minded and respectful towards others, and understanding that your views, opinions, and experiences may not always be shared by your colleagues. Act as an ambassador for Mulberry and communicate positively about the brand. Sustainability: As a certified B Corp, we are committed to using business as a force for good. You’ll be encouraged to incorporate environmentally and socially responsible practices into your work, supporting our Made to Last strategy across Climate, Circularity, and Community. Help foster a culture where diversity is celebrated and every individual feels valued, respected, and included. Champion equity, empathy, and understanding in all interactions - internally and externally. Skills & Knowledge:  We are seeking someone exceptionally strong in the following areas: Spatial Design Retail Design with a strong creative and conceptual blend Set Design Visual Merchandising Design Advanced proficiency in Rhino (essential) Strong command of Adobe Creative Suite Excellent visual communication and presentation skills Strong understanding of form, space, materiality, and customer experience Profile: Deep interest and knowledge in art, culture, architecture, interiors, fashion, and contemporary visual culture. Highly collaborative. Able to work fluidly between conceptual ideation and detailed execution. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, creatively driven environment.

CYENS Centre of Excellence

RESPONSIBILITIES Department: Innovation / Education and Training  No. Of Positions: 1 Full-Time Researcher  Reporting Line: Education and Training Manager  Contract Type: Fixed Term project-based contract. An initial one-year employment contract will be offered with the possibility for renewal. Duration of project: 48 months (01/05/2026 – 31/05/2030) Location: Nicosia, Cyprus Indicative Annual Gross Salary Range: €18000 – €30,000. The salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role.  Preferred Start Date: August 2026, or as soon as possible. Application Deadline: (2 weeks) 12th of July 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  About the project / position: CYENS Centre of Excellence is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join the Education & Training team within the Virtual Worlds Academy of Skills (ViWAS), a large-scale European initiative funded by the Digital Europe Programme. PhD candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will contribute to research and development activities at the intersection of Virtual Worlds, immersive technologies (XR), digital skills, education, and workforce development. The position offers an excellent opportunity to gain and further develop research experience while actively participating in a major European project involving leading academic institutions, research centres, industry partners, and policy stakeholders across Europe. The candidate will work closely with the ViWAS coordination team and international experts, contributing to the development of innovative frameworks, research studies, educational programmes, and evidence-based policy recommendations supporting the adoption of Virtual Worlds across multiple sectors. Candidates are expected to demonstrate research engagement appropriate to their career stage, including experience with literature reviews, research design, data collection and analysis, academic writing, project deliverables, presentations, and/or publications. Key Responsibilities: The Research Assistant will be involved in aspects of the following: * Conduct quantitative and qualitative research related to digital skills, Virtual Worlds, XR technologies, education and future workforce needs. * Contribute to the design, development, validation, and continuous improvement of the ViWAS Competence and Qualification Framework (CQF). * Perform literature reviews, and policy analyses related to skills development and emerging technologies. * Support research design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting activities. * Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications, conference papers, project deliverables, and research reports, and policy-oriented outputs. * Participate in the design, piloting, evaluation, and continuous improvement of educational programmes, curricula and micro-credentials for Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training (VET), and lifelong learning. * Collaborate with project partners, researchers, educational institutions, industry representatives, and policy stakeholders across Europe. * Support dissemination, communication, and stakeholder engagement activities. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS Key requirements Essential Requirements: 1. MSc/MA  or PhD in Education, Educational Technology, Learning Sciences, Human-Computer Interaction, or another relevant field aligned with the responsibilities and activities of the position. 2. Knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods. 3. Ability to conduct literature reviews, collect and analyse research data, and synthesise findings. 4. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. 5. Familiarity with Virtual, Augmented, and Extended Reality (VR/AR/XR) technologies, applications, and devices. 6. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within an international and multidisciplinary environment. 7. Language requirements: Excellent written and oral English-language skills will be required.   8. For non-EU applicants a work permit will be required   Research/Academic Requirements:  * Experience conducting literature reviews and synthesizing research findings.  * Experience presenting academic or professional work in seminars, workshops, conferences, or educational settings will be considered an advantage.  * Evidence of interest in research related to Virtual Worlds, immersive technologies (VR/AR/XR), digital skills, educational innovation, learning technologies, or emerging technologies.  * Experience contributing to research deliverables, reports, publications, or project outputs will be considered an advantage. * Participation in national or European research and innovation projects is desirable but not essential. Desirable Qualifications The following will be considered an advantage: * Experience in EU-funded projects. * Experience in educational technology, XR technologies, digital skills development, or curriculum design. * Experience in preparing research reports, policy briefs, project deliverables, or academic publications. * Familiarity with European education, skills, innovation, or digital policy initiatives. * Experience in higher education, vocational education and training (VET), or lifelong learning contexts. WHY US? What CYENS Offers CYENS offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge European research and innovation in a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and international environment. The successful candidate will work alongside leading academic institutions, research centres, industry partners, and policy stakeholders across Europe, contributing to the development of innovative solutions that shape the future of Virtual Worlds, digital skills, and education. The position provides valuable hands-on research experience, opportunities for professional and academic development, exposure to high-impact European projects, and access to a collaborative environment that fosters learning, innovation, and scientific excellence. APPLICATION PROCESS Application process  For full consideration, interested applicants should submit the following items via the online application form and clearly indicate the position title in their application:   1. Full CV (including contact details). 2. Cover letter outlining:  1. your suitability for the role 2. your motivation for applying;  3. contact details of two referees.  3. Copies of academic transcripts  4. Description of their academic and research experiences as well as any relevant industrial / innovation / entrepreneurship experience, where applicable (500 words maximum). 5. Two (2) representative publications (if applicable). 6. Two (2) representative innovation outcomes / products (if applicable). Important Information * Incomplete applications will not be considered.  * Applicants who have previously applied for a position at CYENS are required to submit a new application.  * All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.  * CYENS Centre of Excellence is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates worldwide.  CONTACT DETAILS Enquiries  For general enquiries, applicants may contact the HR Department at vacancies@cyens.org.cy.