Research Assistant [ Ref :ZU/10/Adv/41/2025 ]
Vacancy Open: Sep 1st, 2025 | Vacancy Closing: Sep 12th, 2025
Positions needed: 2
- Assist in the day-to-day management of the innovation pipeline, from idea generation through to implementation.
- Support the coordination of innovation workshops, brainstorming sessions, and hackathons.
- Maintain and update the innovation project database, tracking progress, milestones, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities.
- Assist in managing intellectual property (IP) documentation and liaise with legal or patent professionals as required.
- Contribute to the preparation of research proposals, grant applications, and project reports.
- Conduct literature reviews and data collection to support ongoing research initiatives.
- Organise and maintain research data, files, and records, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and compliance.
- Support the preparation of technical documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs) and research protocols.
- Monitor project budgets and track expenses, assisting in financial reporting as necessary.
- Facilitate the dissemination of research findings through presentations, publications, and conferences.
- Act as the central point of contact for project-related inquiries.
- Plan and coordinate meetings, workshops, seminars, and events.
- Any other duties may be assigned from time to time by the supervisor or as captured in the detailed job description.
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Business Development, Information Technology, Innovation Management, Statistics, or Social Sciences or a related field from an accredited University.
- At least 3 years of experience in research coordination, innovation management, or project administration in an academic, research, or innovation-driven environment.
- Registration for a Master’s degree/ongoing will be an added advantage.
- Ability to align research and innovation initiatives with institutional strategic goals.
- Strong understanding of research processes, innovation ecosystems, and knowledge transfer practices
- Proficiency with data collection tools and analysis such as Kobo Toolbox, ODK, REDCap, R, Stata, or Atlas.ti.
- Familiarity with funding mechanisms, grant management, and reporting requirements.
- Excellent organisational and event planning skills, with proven ability to plan, coordinate, and execute meetings, seminars, workshops, and innovation-related events.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Interviews will be held on a rolling basis
Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.