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Apologies for cross postings. Dear all I have included some information on an exciting new research post to be based at Design Wales, Cardiff, Wales. Please feel free to circulate to anyone who may be interested. The closing date is 11th Jan 2005. If you would like any further information please feel free to contact me. Best wishes Frank Dr. Frank O'Connor Design Wales Tel: 0845-3031400 Email: [log in to unmask] WWW: www.designwales.org Project description Post: Senior Researcher - Ecodesign Location: Design Wales,The National Centre for Product Design and Development Research (PDR), University of Wales Institute, Cardiff Closing date: 11th Jan 2005 Salary: £23,645 (Researcher grade B6) Per Annum (pro-rata) Overview We are seeking a researcher to work on Stage 1 of a Welsh based ecodesign pilot project. Stage 1 of the project is being jointly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and the Welsh Development Agency (WDA). The appointee will be based at Design Wales office in Cardiff, Wales. Stage 1 is exploratory, establishing best practice from ecodesign and sustainable design programs in other countries and developing a detailed proposal for a Welsh based initiative. This stage will be managed by Design Wales and will commence early 2005 and to run for 6 months. Stage 1 will involve undertaking fact-finding visits to selected centres within and (if deemed appropriate) outside Europe. Stage 1 will determine the approach for the remainder of the pilot project. It will also identify 3 target industry sectors for the next stage of the pilot initiative. Sectors that are strongly represented in Wales include electronics and automotive. Stage 1 will conclude with a presentation of the findings and recommendations (incl. a report) to the WAG and WDA and any other project partners. It is also proposed that the results of the work will also be published at an International Conference. It is envisaged that a pilot Welsh based initiative could commence mid 2005, and would run for approx. 18-24 months. The initial appointment will be for a fixed term of 6 months, although it is anticipated that this will be extended to the duration of the ecodesign pilot project. This in turn could lead to an opportunity to register for a PhD with PDR. For further information on Design Wales please visit www.designwales.org. If you would like an informal chat regarding the above please contact Dr Frank O'Connor on 0845-3031400 or email [log in to unmask] To apply you will need to fill in an application form. Please contact Design Wales for further information. Annex: Lead Organisations Design Wales Based in PDR, UWIC, Design Wales offers a free and independent advisory service to Welsh industry. The main objectives of the service are to raise the profile of the effective use of design and facilitate Welsh companies in realising and achieving their design related objectives on a one to one basis. In support of this Design Wales delivers a wider program that includes seminar events, publications for industry and education, a web site with a monthly Welsh design news section and undertakes research into the design needs of industry. Design Advisors within the service have particular expertise in product design, fashion and textiles, web-site design, ecodesign, sustainable design, materials, CAD, design management, branding and packaging design. Design Wales is funded entirely by the Welsh Assembly Government. Ecodesign and Sustainable Design activities include providing specialist advice to industry, NGOs and WAG, speaking at and running seminars throughout Wales and organising an annual intra-university design competition. The National Centre for Product Design and Development Research (PDR) PDR's primary activity is twofold; the development of new knowledge, technologies and systems, which support and facilitate creativity within the design process, and the application of such knowledge to the design and development of new products. Since its establishment in 1994, PDR has gained a high reputation for the development and transfer of design knowledge and expertise into industry and has successfully developed over 350 products for a wide range of clients in sectors which include consumer products, automotive, medical and defence. The Centre's research programmes have direct relevance both to the imperatives of industry and to the needs of individuals and the wider community. Activities involve developing effective partnerships with industry, commerce and individuals and organisations within the wider community. PDR's partnerships involve many small manufacturing companies as well as major multi-national organisations along with government agencies, charities and hospital trusts. Through these programmes PDR is responding fully to Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) policy in relation to the development of university-industry partnerships, particularly in relation to the manufacturing sector of the economy. PDR operates Design Wales on behalf of WAG, providing free and independent advice on all aspects of design to industry and education across Wales. PDR is also the Welsh host for the DTI's new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) initiative. MAS Cymru's role is to provide advice and support for all sectors of manufacturing industry throughout Wales. PDR is also a WDA CETIC centre. Through these activities PDR provides strategic and policy advice to the Assembly and is at the heart of policy initiatives such as the Wales Regional Technology Plan, the Wales Entrepreneurship Action Plan and the new Wales Innovation Plan. Two current proposals currently under development are the creation of a European Centre of Expertise in Mass Customisation and a programme to encourage rural diversification through product development in partnership with Antur Teifi. PDR's research was awarded a rating of 4 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise and its facilities are recognised as being among the best in the UK within its field. PDR's success has generated a substantial income stream which has allowed it to re-invest significant sums in state-of-the-art equipment with over £2.5M being spent in the last three years alone. UWIC has also committed over £1.5M to the construction of a dedicated building for PDR, which was opened in early 2002. This new development has provided PDR with purpose-built accommodation of an international standard. PDR's current ecodesign activities include running an ecodesign Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), formerly known as Teaching Company Schemes, with Bus Shelters Wales (BSW) and introducing all of their KTP companies to ecodesign through a formalised process. In summary: · The UK's leading research centre in the field of product development with over 60 full-time staff providing state of the art expertise and technical facilities. · In excess of 350 products developed for clients in the past three years. · Unrivalled knowledge of the manufacturing sector within Wales. · Activities at the heart of many policy initiatives such as the Wales Regional Technology Plan, the Wales Entrepreneurship Action Plan and the new Wales Innovation Plan. · Operates Design Wales on behalf of WAG and MAS Cymru on behalf of DTI and WAG. · WDA-accredited CETIC centre. · Wales's leading department in terms of KTP/TCS programmes - 22 programmes either completed or ongoing. · Worldwide links with other leading centres of best practice in product development. To unsubscribe from this list please go to http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/industrial-ecology or send the following command to [log in to unmask] leave industrial-ecology