Research Assistant, Net Zero Targets in Public Procurement

Internal Applicants Only

Deadline: 31 January 2024

Professor Anne Davies is looking for a research assistant to help with a new project called SPARKS (Sustainable Procurement Applied Research and Knowledge Sharing). The current project runs until 30 June 2024, with additional, longer-term funding being sought in the meantime. The project aims to explore the pursuit of Net Zero targets through government contracting in the UK and around the world. The research assistant will also be asked to support the Procurement of Government Outcomes Club (POGO), a monthly Zoom call for academics and practitioners interested in outcomes-based public procurement.

The research assistant will be required to:

• Assist with a literature review to identify existing academic and practitioner literature on Net Zero and other environmental goals in public procurement contracts in the UK and elsewhere
• Write some content for the SPARKS project web page
• Provide practical and organisational support for the planned SPARKS project workshop in Oxford in June 2024
• Help to develop a web presence for POGO on the Law Faculty website
• Helping with the organisation of POGO Zoom calls, for example, by contacting speakers or adding biographies to the website.

Duration and hours

Working hours: a total of up to 224 hours across the duration of the project, to be agreed with the project supervisor. The working hours are flexible (and subject to the rules applicable to research students), though POGO calls take place on the last Tuesday of the month at 4pm, and the SPARKS workshop will take place in Oxford in June.

Start date: as soon as possible

Date by which the work must be completed: 30th September 2024

Reporting

The research assistant will report to Professor Anne Davies.

Requirements

• Pursuing a relevant graduate degree (e.g. Law, Politics, Public Policy), is essential.
• Knowledge of Net Zero or other climate or environmental issues is desirable.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail are essential.
• Good interpersonal skills, particularly in dealing with a variety of project partners from government and academia, are essential.
• Experience of using website content management systems, or willingness to learn about these systems, is essential.

Your normal place of work will be the St Cross Building or the Manor Road Building, Manor Road.  However, provided you have the agreement of your PI/Supervisor, and a suitable space to work (including library access if required), it may be possible to undertake the work remotely, which could be anywhere in the UK. You should be available to attend an in-person workshop in Oxford in June 2024.

Please note that you will be required to complete a Right to Work check before starting work. The Law Faculty HR Team will contact you directly to arrange for the appropriate check to take place.  What is a right to work check? | Staff Immigration (ox.ac.uk)

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to current graduate students in the Faculty of Law, the Blavatnik School of Government, and the Department of Politics and International Relations and the hours are in line with the restrictions on working hours for students within the Law Faculty.

It is expected that the work will be undertaken in the UK.

Rate of Pay

The work will be paid at £17.03 per hour, which equates to University Grade 6, point 1, on the basis of completed and approved timesheets, which must be submitted to payroll@law.ox.ac.uk by the last Friday of each calendar month for payment on the last working day of the following month.

In addition, paid annual leave will be assumed to be taken in the month in which it was accrued.

Funding

This opportunity is funded by a John Fell Fund award (BAD00570) and a Faculty Internet Engagement Award (FIEF2324-01).

How to Apply

A short CV and cover letter (including the name of your supervisor) should be sent by email to anne.davies@law.ox.ac.uk by Wednesday 31st January 2024. Please explain how you meet the requirements for the role, and give details of your availability. Supervisors may be asked for a reference.

Enquiries about the project are welcome, and may be addressed to Professor Anne Davies. General queries, e.g. about the appointment process, or eligibility, may be addressed to research@law.ox.ac.uk.