www.esrc.ac.uk/funding/funding-opportunities/innovation-caucus-phd-intern-opportunity/
Applications are invited from highly motivated PhD candidates for a three month internship to undertake research to inform the strategy and practice of Innovate UK and ESRC.
The Innovation Caucus is an initiative funded by Innovate UK and the ESRC to support innovation-led growth and promote greater engagement between the social sciences and businesses. Serving as a gateway to the social sciences, the Innovation Caucus comprises 66 academics working across different disciplines with a focus on innovation. As well as promoting the awareness of and engagement with social science research, the Innovation Caucus is focused on understanding the dynamics of innovation ecosystems.
Intern brief
The intern will contribute to the emerging work streams of the Innovation Caucus which include but are not limited to the Industrial Strategy, Innovation in the Social Sciences, Innovation Funding / Finance in the UK and Benchmarking International Best Practice.
The internship would primarily be based around a mini-project proposed by the intern and agreed with Innovate UK and the ESRC relating to one of the priority areas of the Innovation Caucus. In addition the intern could also:
- undertake evidence reviews of appropriate literature and ongoing academic debates to be presented for non-academic audiences;
- develop outputs targeted at Innovate UK staff to increase and promote their understanding and awareness of the social sciences
- organise and facilitate events designed to communicate insights from social science research about innovation.
Person specification
The intern will require:
- the ability to work with academics and academic debates to identify insights and make connections across research and policy
- a broad understanding of the social sciences, with an interest in how the social sciences can contribute to the economy and society
- an interest in how social science disciplines can be applied to generate insights for businesses and innovation
- experience of / willingness to learn about synthesising academic research findings into outputs for non-academic audiences to generate impact
- excellent communication skills and the ability to negotiate and work with complex and demanding stakeholders
Location and travel
There is scope to accommodate flexible working arrangements, although the interns would be expected to attend meetings in Sheffield, London and Swindon on an ad hoc basis. Travel to meetings will be covered.
How to apply
Interested PhD students, with the permission of their supervisors/institutions, should complete the online application form by 20 April 2016.
Interviews will be held in early May 2017. Internship dates will be arranged by agreement.
Further information
Posted on Thursday 9th March 2017