Research assistants vacancies 2013 – Carnegie Research Commons
October 22, 2012 
5 Comments
The Carnegie Research Commons is a high-level research environment for exclusive use by masters and doctoral students, as well as researchers. The primary aim of the Research Commons is to enhance the Library’s contribution to postgraduate through-put and research output by providing a conducive environment for research. The Research Commons offers researchers the flexibility of conversing in seminar or discussion rooms, relieve stressed minds in a comfortable lounge area or engage in rigorous self-study.
The Library hereby invite senior students (advanced masters or doctoral students) with a strong interest in research to apply for posts as research assistants. Successful candidates will be required to provide fellow post-graduate students in the Research Commons with general research support, assist with IT trouble shooting, bibliographic enquiries and other activities.
Requirements:
• Full-time Masters or Doctoral student
• Excellent computer skills
• Strong sense of responsibility / taking ownership
• Excellent interpersonal skills and service orientation
• Excellent knowledge of software packages such as MS Office, the Windows environment, the Internet, the computerised library catalogue (SunSearch) and other electronic databases
• Available to work for approximately 15-20 hours (3 shifts) per week
• Available to attend the compulsory training programme in January 2013.
Interviews: End of November.
Period of employment: 7 January 2013 until 20 December 2013
Remuneration: R37.43 per hour
Applications: Applicants must submit a CV and cover letter highlighting suitability for the post to Ms Marié Roux, Research Commons, JS Gericke Library or send it by e-mail to mr@sun.ac.za.
Closing date for applications: 20 November 2012
Enquiries: Marié Roux, 021 808 2623
Is there a possibility that I can register on this site?
Dear Anele,
All positions are filled for 2013. We usually advertise from September/October for the positions of student assistants available for the next year.Please keep an eye on our homepage for these advertisements: http://library.sun.ac.za
Is it possible that I can get the application forms for vacancies that are available this current year.
I’m afraid the comment about the Research Commons conveys a seriously short-sighted and ill-informed opinion. Feedback from users have repeatedly provided testimony to the fact that the attention to comfort, detail and style in the Research Commons is regarded as “high-level” in terms of being inspiring and motivating factors in the enduring research process. Accompanying support services are equally regarded as “high-level”, which in combination with physical attributes, makes the Research Commons a particularly conducive space for masters and doctoral students which is unparalleled on campus.
All aspects in the Research Commons have been purposefully and ergonomically designed to address the unique needs of research students. This ranges from larger desk spaces, comfortable seating for longer working hours, acoustic dividers to minimize disturbance, an area to relax and socialise, proximity to utilities such as lockers, printers and scanners, to an outdoor patio. Additionally, a variety of equipment, including wireless network access, desk top computers, laptops, an iPad and network cable connections, is made available to cater for different needs and for the convenience of users. Besides individual workspaces, users have access to seminar rooms with white boards and plasma screens to engage in group work or research discussions. A free-of-charge video conference facility connects students/researchers with colleagues and supervisors around the world. Also, a collection of books on research process and methodology, as well as general reference works, are provided to address the particular interest of masters and doctoral students. Lunch time workshops are presented to address research-related skills. Furthermore, carefully selected and trained research students are available during all open-hours to offer assistance with trouble-shooting, general enquiries and research related problems. Additional peer–to–peer training is offered to users in need of specific skills training. Two full-time librarians are available to assist users along the entire research process – from retrieving information, referencing, thesis lay-out, publishing aspects, to citation analysis. Due to partnerships and connections with other support units on campus, Research Commons’ users are put into contact with specialists such as language practitioners, funding administrators and statisticians promptly and efficiently. On occasion, accomplished researchers are invited to give talks to inspire young researchers and to provide a hub for intellectual dialogue.
This bringing together of space, equipment, staff, training and partnerships is regarded as a national benchmark in terms of supporting and encouraging research productivity and is on par with similar facilities internationally.
It is at your own peril if you choose to only see the four walls.
haha, they make it sound very fancy…’The Carnegie Research Commons is a high-level research environment’…seriously? it is basically a ROOM with some computers (too few anyway), a coffee machine and three sofas… high-level research environment…please…