Graduate Research Assistants
Details
| Closing Date | 2022/11/11 |
| Reference Number | HSR221028-1 |
| Job Type | Graduate |
| Job Title | Graduate Research Assistants |
| Business Area | Inclusive Economic Development (IED) |
| Department | IED |
| Number of Positions | 8 |
| Workplace Type | On-site |
| Location – Town / City | Eastern Cape |
| Location – Province | Western Cape, Gauteng, Eastern Cape |
| Location – Country | South Africa |
| Minimum Education Level | NQF8 – Hons Degree or equivalent |
| Application Closing Date | 11-Nov-2022 |
| Job Category | Other |
| Job Advert Summary | The Inclusive Economic Development (IED) division undertakes research to transform educational outcomes and increase economic participation. It recognises that education and the economy have long been linked and conducts research to understand educational performance and improve learning outcomes, and to interrogate social, spatial and structural obstacles to economic participation. WOMEN-RISE ETHNOGRAPHERS: Masters and PHD Graduate Research Assistants for 2023 and 2024 (8 positions) The Human Science Research Council (HSRC), in association with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and McGill University in Canada, is pleased to announce the availability of 8 opportunities for graduate researchers to join a project on post-Covid recovery and reconstruction in rural South Africa to be undertaken in 2023 and 2024, as research assistants. The research assistants must be registered Masters’ and PhD students at any South African University in disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, gender studies, development studies, politics, cultural studies, public health, or the medical humanities. It is important to note that this project will happen in phases, with phase 1, commencing in February 2023, for a period up to 6 months. The graduates will be expected to spend at least 6 months of subsidised fieldwork in selected rural communities in the Eastern Cape, where they will work under supervision and with other team members on the study of women’s lives, social relations, livelihoods, and health struggles before, during and after the Covid pandemic. The research data collected in the field will contribute to the overall objectives of the Women-RISE project but can also be used by the students for their own thesis purposes. The project will create an environment of joint study and endeavour aimed at transforming the lives of women. All the graduate research assistants will be part of the International Development Research Centre’s Women RISE https://www.idrc.ca/en/initiative/women-rise project, led by the HSRC with ECSECC (a government development agency) and McGill University in Canada. The work will involve ethnographic research, life histories collection, participant observation, and action research in multiple rural communities with the aim of empowering women and transform gender relations, allowing women “to build back better”. All graduate research assistants will be paid monthly on the completion of specific research tasks/ deliverables. Payment will be based on the agreed hours per deliverable. Those engaged at the PhD level will earn, R75.00 per hour while Masters’-level graduates will earn R60.00 per hour. In addition, all fieldwork costs will be covered by the project. The fieldwork on the project begins in February 2023. The graduates research assistants will receive laptops and will be supervised by project leaders, in and out of the field. To qualify for consideration for this opportunity, graduate research assistants must be registered at a South African university, be SA Citizens, should be able to speak Xhosa-fluently, should be available to undertake fieldwork in the Eastern Cape during 2023 and possibly 2024 pending the phase of the study, and preferably have some experience or understanding of issues and debates in the fields of gender studies, poverty and livelihood-research, or/and public health in South Africa. Appointments will be from January 2023 for a limited period and based on project scope and phases. The project is led by the HSRC but involves partnerships with local universities, NGO’s, government agencies, and McGill University/IDRC in Canada. Furthermore, McGill University in Montreal is offering a fully paid scholarship for one post-graduate student, linked to the project, to further their post-graduate studies in Canada, starting in September 2023. The project leaders are renowned anthropologists, sociologists, and public health specialists with local and international experience in research supervision, project management and publication. They will be available to guide and assist all students contracted to the project to further their studies and complete their own dissertations through the opportunities offered on the project. The spirit of the programme is to create opportunities for women to RISE both in academic and in communities |
| Minimum Requirements | 1. Applicants for the Masters level researcher opportunity must have graduated with a Honours degree and be registered (proof of registration will be required at the time of application) for a Master’s degree in the Social Sciences (particularly in areas such as anthropology, gender studies, sociology, development studies and public health); PhD applicants should demonstrate evidence of having completed their Masters’ degree in relevant discipline and proof of registration for a PhD in 2023. 2.Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as evidence of written work for review. 3.Competence in basic computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 4.A sound academic record. 5.Willingness to learn through hands on engagement in a variety of research activities. 6.Intellectual and personal integrity, a well-developed work ethic, and drive. 7.Self-discipline and the ability to manage both the demands of the job and ensure that university studies are timeously completed. 8.Applicants must be South African citizens. |
| Duties & Responsibilities | 1.Work with a professional multi-disciplinary research team on all aspects of the ethnographic and policy orientated action research, including conceptualisation, data collection and analysis, as well as the dissemination of findings and impact. 2.Undertake project related learnings, including on ethics and methodology, while conducting literature reviews and other secondary data searches on key project themes. 3.Undertake qualitative research through fieldwork, life history collection, focus group engagements and other related research activities in rural communities and with NGO’s and policy makers. 4.Assist with administrative matters in the research environment and policy fields. 5.Attend regular workshops and contribute to the preparation of peer reviewed academic journal articles, research reports, study protocols, presentations, manuscripts and research grant proposals; Applications should include: 1.A cover letter of motivation indicating your suitability, interest in this study and goals for this position. 2.A detailed CV which should clearly indicate your highest qualification and details of your citizenship. 3.Certified copy of ID 4.Proof of Registration for a Masters degree or PhD (or intention to do so in 2023). 5.A sample of your academic writing and/or evidence of involvement in community/policy impact. 6.The details of three recent referees with telephone/cell number, e-mail, contact details and institutional affiliation. The HSRC will only consider applications that comply with the above requirements. Please note that applicants may be required to complete a written test pertaining to this position. Please register and submit your application on-line at https://hsrc.erecruit.co/ Application Instructions: Candidates can make use of their mobile devices or any browser to register on the Neptune recruitment site, as well as to make application for available vacancies; Candidates will be prompted to upload their CV’s; Attachments must be less than 1MB, there is an on-screen option to resize. Enquiries about the nature of the position, and NOT applications, may be directed toProf Leslie Bank at email address lbank@hsrc.ac.za For further information about the HSRC or the post, please consult our website www.hsrc.ac.za. The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of its staff complement who are SA Citizens, black, female or disabled. Closing date: Friday 11th November 2022. We encourage applicants to submit prior to this date. Applicants who have not been contacted within eight weeks should assume that their application has been unsuccessful. Only applicants who are interviewed will be advised of the outcome of their applications. The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment. APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITMENT AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED |
Policy
In delivering ‘social science that makes a difference’ in South Africa and the region, the Research Programmes of the Human Sciences Research Council initiate and undertake policy-oriented research projects and programmes from its offices in Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria. Its public-purpose mandate is set out in the Human Sciences Research Council Act No.17 of 2008.
The HSRC aims to attract and retain high-calibre skills and human resources necessary to effectively execute both its mandate to conduct research and to support the strategic intent of the organisation.
The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of South African Citizens who are black, female, or disabled towards achieving Equity goals.
The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Application from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.