Today@Dal

Term Employment Opportunity in the Faculty of Management

The Faculty of Management requires a Research Assistant (RA) to assist in three research projects relating to measuring innovation and entrepreneurship at the regional economic level as opposed to at the firm level. 

1.      IDE Measurement Project

Among all new businesses, only a very small fraction of high-growth firms experience the explosive growth (in terms of jobs, revenue, or valuation) that propels the economy. These firms are largely innovation-driven enterprises (IDE).  It may be more important to have a higher number of IDEs with the potential to realize this outsized performance than to rely simply on the quantity of new business starts. Using existing OECD and MIT methodologies and adapting them to the Canadian context, this project will measure IDE and high growth firms in Atlantic Canada. 

2.      Cluster Mapping Project on Atlantic Ocean Cluster

Cluster mapping creates a dataset on the presence of clusters across geographies, based on a standardized set of benchmark cluster definitions that group individual industries uniquely into cluster categories. Researchers from Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management, and Temple University's Fox School of Business generated cluster definitions based on a novel algorithm - U.S. Cluster Mapping methodology - that allows for the systematic generation and comparison of clusters across the United States. Dr. Stern along with Harvard’s Dr. Michael Porter are principal authors of this methodology and have unique knowledge and capabilities to support this project. Dr. Guzman was also the primary graduate researcher for the U.S. Cluster Mapping methodology and subsequent papers. This project will use the U.S. Cluster Mapping methodology and make adjustments based on the information available in Atlantic Canada and to adjust for local industry understanding, to map both Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada clusters.  

3.   Innovation and Competitiveness

Collecting baseline data on innovation and competitiveness at the level of the regional economy in Atlantic Canada using established economic metrics related to innovation, which will include investment in R&D (government, higher education and business), capital investment, quality of the workforce (e.g. education, training, experience), labour productivity, multi-factor productivity, etc. (see attached list).

Specific Tasks

·        Cleaning data (most is already quite clean), running the model, and doing post-analysis validation to ensure the model works in our context (this may involve identifying new data to improve model runs, or tweaking model), followed by writing it up. 

·        Establishing models and documenting processes so the data can be updated annually.

·        Presenting the data in visual contexts (e.g graphs and charts) and making them available on a website.

The RA must have excellent knowledge of writing and grammar skills; knowledge of APA format; good academic track record and marking experience is preferred.  In addition, they must be a self-starter, have the ability to work independently; and have excellent skills in time management, and communication. Applicants must also have a working knowledge of statistics and statistical applications, preferably R. Applicants must be in a Master program or have graduated from a master’s program. The Research Assistant will report to Louis Beaubien.

Term: July1, 2017 – December 31, 2017
Hours: 130 hours
Rate of Pay:  $23.00/hour

The deadline for applications is Friday June 15, 2017. Please email your resume and covering letter to: Louis Beaubien (louis.beaubien@dal.ca)

Interviews for this position will be held as soon as possible.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, we will only contact those selected for an interview.

Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The University encourages applications from Aboriginal people, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.