About the position
Introduction
MANCOSA, a DHET registered and CHE accredited private higher education distance education provider, offering undergraduate and postgraduate business qualifications.
CORE PURPOSE:
To serve a central role in supporting postgraduate research student success through effective coordination and appropriate, quality academic input.
Duties & Responsibilities
CORE FUNCTIONS:
ASSISTANCE WITH RESEARCH TOPICS
• Provide informed, well-researched, and well-considered written guidance and advice on topic selection and revision
• Establish contact with students (telephone, email, virtual, face-to-face) to clarify research intentions and focus of the research
• Identify topics which have/may have ethical issues and bring this to the attention of the student. Ensure that a feasible resolution and an appropriate topic is developed with the student. Be familiar with and apply knowledge from different programme disciplines in order to provide accurate topic guidance to students
ASSISTANCE WITH RESEARCH PROPOSALS
• Submit research proposal to Turnitin, apply relevant filters, download report, review report, and provide student with feedback on the Turnitin report.
• Where similarity indices exceed the acceptable limit by more than 10%, or there are specific concerns related to plagiarism, a consultation must be scheduled with the student in order to explain the consequences of plagiarism as well as to devise a plan of action to assist the student in addressing plagiarism concerns. In addition, supervisors must be informed (via email) of the outcomes of the consultation.
• Provide informed, well-researched, and well-considered written guidance and advice on student research proposals
ASSISTANCE WITH ETHICAL CLEARANCE
• Advise students on the process of applying for ethical clearance
• Review all ethical clearance applications and corresponding research proposals, ensuring that it meets the minimum requirements
• Consider and bring to the attention of the student and Supervisor all possible technical and ethical concerns
• Submit reviewed ethical clearance applications to the Research Ethics Sub-Committee
• Provide feedback to student and Supervisor regarding the outcome of the ethical clearance applications
STUDENT SUPPORT
• Provide students with relevant guidelines, resources and templates to assist them through the research process
• Be knowledgeable in topic areas surrounding research and programme subject matter
• Host consultations with students to assist with the research process and/or research content
• Timeously respond to student queries and complaints
• Acknowledge and offer resolution to any research and/or administrative related challenges raised by students. Act, with the respective Research Manager/s, as a neutral referee in all disputes and/or disagreements between student and supervisor
Desired Experience & Qualification
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master's Degree (specialization in the following fields is preferable: management; business administration; public administration; commerce)
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
• At least 1-2 years' experience within a higher education faculty and/or research environment
Knowledge of research processes and methodology
