Closing Date: Friday, 15 March 2013
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences
6-8 Melrose Road
Muizenberg 7945
South Africa
Tel: +27 (21) 787 9320
Fax: +27 (21) 787 9321
Advertisement
Within the context of an unprecedented mission and a pioneering innovative math and science education institution, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences - Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI) seeks to attract a young dynamic academic to the role of Research Manager for the Secretariat.
The key role of the Research Manager is to facilitate and support AIMS-NEI's research mandate. This involves support and establishment of two research chairs, management of a small grants program for AIMS alumni and coordination of the establishment, functioning and startup of research center activities as part of the overall AIMS model. This role will assist the coordination of the research activities of the AIMS network such that it achieves its science and innovation mandate through contributions from research.
SUMMARY OF POSITION GOALS
1.Ensures effective overall management of the AIMS-NEI research Unit, including project, data, grants and personnel management.
2.Leads the process of developing and operationalizing the Unit's strategic and annual plans, in order to achieve key objectives, results and commitments.
3.Maintains high levels of interaction with internal and external colleagues including many in other AIMS Centres. Liaising with relevant colleagues within the AIMS network and internationally to seek applied research opportunities for students within industry and the private sector both during and after the Masters and PhD will also be required.
4.Collaborates with the Director of Academic Development, Research chairs and relevant colleagues for the development and elaboration of the AIMS-NEI research strategy.
5.Develops and administers a small grant research program for AIMS graduates focusing on topics relevant to Africa's development challenges.
6.Identifies opportunities to collaborate with private sector to ensure that research is relevant and applicable to industry.
7.Works with AIMS centre Directors to organize and coordinate at least one annual conference per year per centre on research and research outputs.
8.Tracks all alumni publications from grey literature to peer reviewed articles and produces summaries and case studies for different stakeholders across the network.
9.Creates, maintains and manages a research database that will serve the AIMS network.
10.Creates linkages for fellowships and internship for AIMS Alumni research projects (National, Regional and International).
11.Manages a gender focused approach to ensure at least 40 % of opportunities go to qualified female candidates.
12.Manages junior researchers and assists with recruiting and mentoring junior researchers if required.
13.Assists the NEI Executive Director in research-related activities when needed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Research Unit Oversight
Research Grant Administration and Unit Budget Management
Research Policies and Procedures
Resource Mobilization
Strategic, Annual and Program Planning
Management of Research Staff / interns/Volunteers
THE PERSON AND HIS/HER QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. (Post Doc preferred) in math, science or technology
- Two to three years of experience as a research manager or senior research coordinator in a research institute, NGO, or university or government department
- At least two years of research-related experience in a developing country setting
- Experience in managing research grants from institutional funders (e.g., CIDA, USAID, EU, DFID, Foundations) and contracts with donors
- Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing systems (standard operating procedures and databases) to manage qualitative and quantitative data
- Experience in establishing and maintaining monitoring and evaluation systems for research programs
- Experience in writing research protocols and submissions to research ethics boards
- Experience in grants management, and in developing and managing annual work plans and budgets
- Experience in staff recruitment, selection, and mentoring
- Excellent knowledge of research methodologies in the context of applied mathematics and sciences
- Good understanding of best standards for research and good research ethics
- General familiarity with qualitative methods and with the fundamentals of research
- Enthusiasm, a commitment to mathematical sciences, technology and innovation
- Cultural sensitivity, collegiality
- Resultsâ€oriented, able to operate with a high degree of autonomyWillingness to work with staff, students and alumni to develop their competencies.
Prospective candidates must submit a letter of motivation and detailed CV, together with the names of at least two referees to: AIMS-NEI Hiring, electronically to: talent@nexteinstein.org
(ensure that the job title is in the subject line please).
