THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
MANCHESTER BUSINESS SCHOOL
Research Assistant (MBS05/04)
With a strong reputation for real world relevance and an RAE 5 rating,
Manchester Business School is a dynamic centre for business research. To
help us as to play a key role in the selection of industry national
strategies for the use of renewable energy, we are now looking for a
researcher to join us for this 12 month post. Take up this exciting
opportunity and you will contribute to decision making by both government
and the electrical power industry. You should hold (or be near completion
of) a PhD/Masters level qualification in a relevant area such as financial
mathematics or quantitative economics.
Starting salary £18,265 - £20,311 pa. To discuss this position
informally, please contact Dr Sydney Howell (0161 275 6333,
[log in to unmask]) Professor Simon French (0161-275-6401,
[log in to unmask]). Application forms can be obtained by calling
0161 275 6316 or downloaded from www.mbs.ac.uk. Please quote reference:
MBS05/04. Closing date: 10 March 2004.
As an equal opportunities employer, The University of Manchester welcomes
applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the
community, regardless of race, religion, gender or disability.
JOB DESCRIPTION (MBS05/04)
POST TITLE: Research Assistant
CONTEXT
Location: Manchester Business School
The Finance and Accounting subject area group in MBS has been awarded a
DTI grant to contribute to national and industry strategy on the use of
renewable (specifically wind) energy. The research will be conducted
jointly with UMIST Department of Electrical Engineering and with AREVA.
Our partners will handle the technology and basic economics, and our role
is to develop real option methods and risk analysis so as to guide
decisions on investments in network configuration, energy storage capacity
etc. in order to maximise the efficient use of wind energy. The post is
for a maximum one-year period.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
Responsible to the grantholders Dr. S. Howell and Prof. S. French
RESPONSIBILITY FOR OTHERS: N/A
GRADE: Research Staff Grade RA1B
STARTING SALARY: £18,265 - £20,311 per annum
OTHER BENEFITS:
JOB SUMMARY:
The postholder will handle meetings with our research partners and
sponsor, developing, in close consultation with MBS and its partners,
economic and mathematical decision models and writing and running
suitable computer programmes, engaging in dissemination activities,
undertaking consultancy and writing research output.
JOB CONTENT
Main tasks to be carried out by postholder, in order of importance
1. To develop methods applicable for real options evaluation of
decisions on network structure and energy storage, with specific reference
to wind-power use in the UK.
2. To co-ordinate closely with our partners on specifying the
variables to be modelled, realistic forecasts of these, and the ranges of
data that need to be simulated.
3. To devise suitable detailed solution models and algorithms, in
close consultation with MBS.
4. To agree an evaluation plan jointly with our technical partners.
5. To co-ordinate in detail with the technical partners on the
formats, volumes, timings etc. in which data will be provided.
6. To write suitable models as needed (for example for simulation,
binomial tree, numerical integration etc.) and to ensure that the models
can handle data in the specific formats, structures and volumes which our
technical partners will need to use as both inputs and outputs.
7. To manage the integration of data from our partners, and run
programmes and report results as needed.
8. Respond creatively to emerging problems and opportunities in
consultation with technical partners as results flow in.
9. To write research papers and other outputs from the project
activity.
10. To organise and take part in occasional meetings with project
sponsors and partners in order to refine the objectives of the study and
communicate its results .
11. To undertake any other duties reasonably required for the
successful completion of the joint research project.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post title: Research Assistant
1 Educational/Vocational Qualifications
Essential: An undergraduate degree including a strong numerate
element from a numerate discipline.
PhD/Masters level qualification (or near completion) in Mathematics,
Finance, Quantitative Economics or a closely related area.
2 Work and Other Related Experience
Essential:
· Mathematical skills
· Skill in programming
· Ability to author academic research papers.
· Ability to work o co-ordinate experts in diverse specialisms,
including power engineering, applied economics, mathematical finance and
risk assessment
Desirable:
· Experience of real options analysis in consultancy or industry
· Experience in the power industry
· Experience in applied statistics
· Experience and/or knowledge of decision analysis and risk analysis
· Experience of research work in academia, public sector or
commercial setting.
· Experience of writing academic research papers.
3 Personal Qualities
Essential:
· Effective written and spoken communication skills
· Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, where there will be
others who know far less or more than yourself on any one discipline
· Ability to work as part of a joint industry/academic and joint
technical/financial research team
· Ability to take on dissemination and consultancy activities.
4 Others
Essential:
· The flexibility to work according to the demands of a multi-
disciplinary and (occasionally) multi-site project, including travel to
conferences and partner sites.
Application forms should be returned to:
Diane Green, Personnel Office, Manchester Business School, Booth Street
West, Manchester,
M15 6PB.
Closing date: 10 March 2004. Please quote reference number MBS05/04
Unfortunately, it is not possible for the University to acknowledge
applications or contact all unsuccessful applicants. If you have not been
contacted by 15 April 2004, you should assume that, on this occasion, your
application has not been successful. We would, however, like to take this
opportunity to thank you for your interest in this post at The University
of Manchester.
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