Here is a position available NOW at the Centre for Rural Economy at the
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Please inform anyone who might be
interested as we need someone asap (within 1 month!).
Apologies for cross-posting.
Research Associate, Centre for Rural Economy, University of Newcastle
JOB DESCRIPTION
Rural Microbusinesses in the North of England
Background
The Centre for Rural Economy in the Department of Agricultural Economics at
the University of Newcastle has been awarded grants from the Rural
Development Programmes in Northumberland, Cleveland and Durham, and from
the Northern Uplands Objective 5b Programme to undertake a study of Rural
Microbusinesses in the North of England. The project is due to start on 1
October 1998 and run for 15 months. Negotiations are also currently
underway with the TECs and the Business Links in the region for additional
funding which would extend the project for a further 9 months.
Project Responsibilities
The overall responsibility for the satisfactory completion of the project
lies with the project leader, Professor Philip Lowe. He will be working
with two colleagues on the project: Hilary Talbot, the Centre for Rural
Economy Research Manager, and Andrew Moxey, a Lecturer in Agricultural
Economics and Food Marketing. In broad terms, Hilary will concentrate on
the strand of the project that researches the business support
organisations, such as Business Links; Andy will lead on the strand that
studies the rural microbusinesses. The Research Associate will be employed
formally to work on the project as a whole; in practice, though, the main
task will be supporting Andy in surveying the rural microfirms. Hence the
appointee's line manager will be Andrew Moxey.
Tasks of Research Associate
The main task of the Research Associate will be to conduct a large postal
survey of microbusinesses in the North of England. This work will include
creating a robust database of rural microbusinesses and a sampling
framework; administering the questionnaire; and analysing the results. The
research associate's work will also include:
* Undertaking a desk study on existing documentation and data sources
on microbusinesses in rural areas.
* Conducting in-depth interviews with rural microbusinesses, and
analysing the results.
* Producing written reports on the survey for the project team.
* Involvement in the regular feedback sessions to the project sponsors.
The Appointee
The appointee should have knowledge and/or experience of the following:
* Research experience in a social science discipline.
* Experience of collecting and analysing quantitative data.
* Knowledge of issues for rural microbusinesses.
He/she will also have:
* The ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing.
* A courteous approach:good listening skills, and appropriate dress.
* The ability to work on own initiative.
* A good level of numeracy.
* Clean, current driving licence.
The Terms and Conditions
The appointment will be made from 1 October 1998 for 15 months in the first
instance, at a starting salary of £15735. The research associate will be
employed by the University of Newcastle, and governed by its terms and
conditions of appointment.
Please contact Hilary Talbot, tel. 0191 2228272 or Philip Lowe, tel. 0191
222 6887, for further information.
David Wood
PhD Student ('The Rural Peace Dividend')
Department of Agricultural Economics and Food Marketing
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU
Tel: 0191 222 6615
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