cities@manchester Research intelligence project assistant

cities@manchester Research intelligence project assistant
cities@manchester is a Faculty of Humanities initiative to bring together and raise the profile of cities/urban research at the university. It is directed by Professor Kevin Ward and connects over 150 researchers across the faculty and beyond. The website is www.cities.manchester.ac.uk and blog is www.citiesmcr.wordpress.com.
One of cities@manchester objectives for 2011-12 is to improve large scale cross-school research bid co-ordination on cities/urban themes. In particular we are interested in a) developing a clearer picture of the ways in which schools currently support grant applications and b) producing a plan for how cities@manchester can add to and improve existing provision. In particular we are keen to develop research intelligence around EU Framework and RCUK funding. In order to do this we will be recruiting two people to work as researchers on this project.
Research intelligence project assistant
Role Specification: 1.    Audit school research offices in the faculty to understand the ways in which research
applications are supported. Produce a 1 page brief on current gaps in research support; specifically how a) cities@manchester can increase the chances of collaborative bidding and b) the kinds of support cities@manchester can provide during the bid development phase.
2.    Audit cities/urban researchers and school research offices to produce a report on who has recently made applications and who has recently considered but failed to submit applications. Collate key information (via web research, email or interview) on the researchers involved, project/thematic outline, reasons for lack of success/submission.
3.    Produce a list of core funding bodies and relevant awards, with assistance from school research offices. Set up online calendar with deadlines, targeted around the cities/urban theme.
4.    Identify who in the university are on EU and RCUK committees – i.e. people who are well positioned to speculate on future initiatives and calls for applications. This may involve some interviews with cities/urban researchers.
5.    Write a 2 page brief on key themes, based on RCUK and EU web site searches and phone conversations with a) those in the faculty with experience in research bidding and b) those involved in decision making in RCUK and the EU.
6.    Compile a list of research networks and potential collaborator institutions for EU and large-scale RCUK projects; based on interviews with research offices, EU/RCUK committee members and current/past grant holders.
7.    Organise a dissemination meeting for the briefing documents, as a means of reinforcing the findings and starting conversations about future applications
8.    Further information gathering may be specified as the project develops.
Person specification 1.    Applicants must be a University of Manchester PhD student in year 3 or 4 (or equivalent
part-time).
2.    An interest in cities/urban research and a broad understanding of relevant research themes.
3.    Experience of intelligence gathering (website research, interviewing) 4.    Experience of concise information categorisation and report writing. 5.    Experience of working on projects where self-motivation, persistence and strong
communication skills were required. 6.    Some experience or knowledge of Higher Education research funding environment is
desirable. Terms and Conditions
1.    These positions will be paid on an hourly basis at the standard GTA rate of £13.39. 2.    We estimate the total hours involved will be between 50-100. 3.    The work schedule is flexible and can be adapted to suit the successful applicant in line
with the requirements of the project. 4.    Work must be completed by 13 July 2012. 5.    The successful applicant will report to Caitriona Devery, cities@manchester research
project co-ordinator and Kevin Ward, cities@manchester director. Application details
Applicants are requested to email a 2 page CV along with a 1 page covering letter outlining your suitability for the role and in particular how you meet the person specification. The deadline for applications is Monday 5 March 2012. Interviews will be held the week beginning 12 March.
Informal enquiries can be made to Caitriona Devery    caitriona.devery@manchester.ac.uk