Research Associate at the Hertie School of Governance, Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS) and the Rockefeller Foundation

The Hertie School of Governance is partnering with the Stanford Center on
Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS) and the Rockefeller Foundation on an
ambitious research project investigating organizational innovation
trajectories in the social sector. In this project we explore the
organizational mechanisms that shape and define the characteristics of the
organizational capacity for continuous innovation (OCCI) over time. This
project will use primarily qualitative empirical methods to compare and
synthesize findings from a deep engagement with a number of Social Sector
Organizations (SSOs).

In connection with this project we are seeking applications for a
Research Associate (m/f)

The position is part-time (20 to 30 hours per week). The contract would
start as soon as possible and will expire on February 28, 2014.

The research associate will support the following main project activities
and shows creativity and dedication in addressing the following challenges:

  - Retrospectively explore the ways in which innovation has unfolded in
  six SSOs that have been operating in a developing country context for
  several decades – this challenges us to develop analytical instruments that
  enable linking trajectories to OCCI.
  - Examine how their innovation trajectories have contributed to their
  current levels and characteristics of OCCI – this challenges us to find
  ways of capturing OCCI that enable and support comparisons across time and
  across organizations.
  - Capture and analyze how OCCI is enacted in real-time in SSOs over the
  next two years (within the scope of this project) and beyond (longer term
  research agenda) – this challenges us to develop monitoring and evaluation
  instruments that capture organizational and contextual innovation process
  perspectives as well as innovation outcomes in real-time.
  - Systematically generate knowledge and insights that explain how
  engagement with researchers and research output can help SSOs build and
  strengthen OCCI – this challenges us to reflect deeply on the actual,
  potential and possible roles of science and researchers in supporting
  organizations to build and strengthen OCCI.

Candidate profile:

  - Recent master degree in the social science, including economics
  - Demonstrated experience or interest in research at the intersection of
  organizational theory, innovation and developing studies.
  - Experiences in qualitative empirical methods
  - Fluency in English, analytical and excellent writing skills.

The research associate will be working in an international research team
and tasks will involve conducting literature reviews, develop research
protocols and develop analytical instruments. The candidate is also
encouraged to develop further her/his own research agenda with this
project.
To apply:

Applications including CV, a letter of intent stating relevant experience
and your motivation and academic transcripts should be sent to
application(at)hertie-school.org with “Hertie-Stanford” in the subject line
(email with pdf-attachments only). Applications are invited until August
19, 2012. For further questions please contact Prof. Dr. Johanna Mair:
Jmair(at)hertie-school.org.



Patrick Haack

University of Zurich

Dept. of Business Administration

Universitaetsstr. 84

CH-8006 Zurich

Phone: +41 (0) 44-634-5307

E-mail: patrick.haack@uzh.ch <patrick.haack@iou.uzh.ch>

Homepage: http://tinyurl.com/patrickhaack