Research Assistant x2 (Marketplaces) (104212 - 0721)

Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
WMG
Salary
£26,715 - £30,046 per annum
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry
Vacancy Overview
2 x Full time, Fixed Term Contracts until 30 September 2022.
We are looking for research assistants to join the Industry Transformation Group to work on projects related to Business Platforms (Marketplaces). In particular the focus will be on marketplaces to support the development and operation of Distributed Manufacturing Platforms (an example one can be seen at www.ukccm.co.uk.) The appointee will have responsibility for support and delivery across a range of projects in the domain. This is a great opportunity to join a team at the forefront of “capability and competence” driven ecommerce. The post requires a combination of technical and business knowledge. In particular web technologies and an understanding of Business models. Above all enthusiasm, a can-do attitude. Great team working and desire to take responsibility for projects is important. You will be joining a varied team of experienced researchers engaged in teaching, business acceleration and consultancy.
You will possess a degree in a design or technical subject, and have an understanding of, or experience of supporting, small and medium size businesses, and of key enabling technologies that can help deliver business capability and growth. You will also be required to manage our overall contribution to the whole project and to ensure that we meet the deadlines and budgets for the whole project.
You will have experience in project management and an understanding or appreciation of different business models and their application in on-line marketplaces. It is desirable to also have some experience of academic research projects and of key enabling technologies for manufacturing SMEs.
Contribution to partnership meetings and project discussions will be a key requirement so good interpersonal skills and team working, coupled with the ability to solve problems are a must.
We will provide a great range of benefits which include an attractive pension scheme, 26 days holiday plus bank holidays and Christmas closure, some fantastic savings on a wide range of products and services, and excellent learning and development opportunities.
At WMG we are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. We currently hold the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the University of Warwick also holds an Institutional Silver Award: a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia. We are supportive of staff with caring responsibilities including a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, and onsite childcare facilities. We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis, even where a position is advertised as full-time, unless there are operational or other objective reasons why it is not possible to do so.
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
Undertaking research in order to support the work of the department and develop and enhance its reputation, both internally and externally. Assisting the Project Leader and, where appropriate, project collaborators in the successful execution of projects.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
To understand, develop and test the Business Models, functions, architecture and technologies for manufacturing/engineering marketplaces. They need to be competence driven marketplaces. Such marketplaces exist for people skills eg. Amazon Mechanical Turk. Similarly we will see a need for organisational capability/competence marketplaces. These present a number of unique challenges in business models, building and gaining traction, data management, data use and sustainability.
Key Deliverables:
• How can legitimisation of marketplace company data be achieved - generating reliable competence and commercial information for the marketplace: research report
• Business models for manufacturing marketplaces - survey and possible models: research report
• Achieving traction and critical mass for marketplaces - survey, suggested approaches: research report
• Marketplace models for manufacturing: research report with case study reports
• Demo sites for different archetypes of marketplaces.
• Sustainability models and operations management for manufacturing marketplaces
This data gathering and testing will be driven by literature review and case studies.
Research and scholarship
1. Undertake basic research, for example by preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments and field work, developing questionnaires and conducting surveys.
2. Conduct literature and database searches.
3. Continue to update knowledge and develop skills.
4. Write up results of own research.
5. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
Teaching and Learning Support
1. Assist in the supervision of student projects.
2. Give demonstrations to students.
3. Could be expected to contribute to introductory courses, for example on the use of research methods and equipment.
Administration and Other Activities
1. Participate in department life and may be required to attend departmental meetings.
2. Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of work.
3. Work within budget constraints.

Person Specification

The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.

Essential Criteria 1
Good honours degree or equivalent (a)
Essential Criteria 2
Understanding and experience of web technologies (a,c,d)
Essential Criteria 3
Sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within own area (a,c,d)
Essential Criteria 4
Strong research potential with the ability or potential to publish high quality work in relevant field (a,c)
Essential Criteria 5
Range of quantitative and/or qualitative research skills (a,c)
Essential Criteria 6
Understanding of equal opportunity issues as they may impact on areas of research content (a,c)
Essential Criteria 7
Able to work autonomously and as part of a team (a,c)
Essential Criteria 8
Good interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal (a,c,d)
Essential Criteria 9
A flexible approach to working (a,c)
Desirable Criteria 1
Understanding of manufacturing operations and methods (a,c,d)
Desirable Criteria 2
A desire to make change happen (a,c)
Desirable Criteria 3
Ability to contribute towards written reports, papers and presentations for different target audiences (a,c)
Further Particulars
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars .
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website .
Two-year post in the initial appointment.
Opportunity to work with start-up businesses in the WMG incubator and Accelerator.
Interesting links associated with these posts:
https://internationaldataspaces.org/
https://www.testhouses.com
https://www.alibaba.com/
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.

Closing Date
23 Aug 2021