Vacancies for the Post of Research Assistant

Published On 21/06/2019

VACANCIES FOR THE POST OF RESEARCH ASSISTANT -02 POSTS
FULL TIME – ON CONTRACT

ACCELARATING HIGHER EDUCATION EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT (AHEAD) OPERATION
DEVELOPMENT ORIENTED RESEARCH (DOR) PROJECT – FACULTY OF SCIENCE

“DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL ELECTROLYTE AND ELECTRODE MATERIALS FOR SECONDARY SODIUM –ION AND MAGNESIUM – ION BATTERIES”

Applications are invited for the above post on contract basis from suitably qualified persons up to 05th July 2019.

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE RESEARCH ASSISTANT FOR DEVELOPMENT ORIENTED RESEARCH (DOR) PROGRAMMES

1. BACKGROUND
The Development of the Higher Education Sector is of central importance to enable Sri Lanka to make the transition from a Lower – Middle Income Country (LMIC) to an Upper Middle – Income Country (UMIC). Recognizing this, the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the World Bank have agreed to support the higher education sector through a World Bank funded Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Operation.

2. THE OPERATION
The AHEAD Operation is organized in two components. The first is a Program Component that supports the national Higher Education Development Program. The second is a systems strengthening, capacity building and technical assistance component that will assist GoSL to strengthen the higher education sector and achieve the objectives of the AHEAD program component. This second will also cover monitoring and evaluation, policy analyses, program coordination and communication.

The implementing agency is the Ministry of City planning, Water Supply and Higher Education. The University Grants Commission (UGC) will coordinate the activities of the universities. There will be an Operations Monitoring and Support Team (OMST) which will coordinate and support all AHEAD activities between the Ministry of City planning, Water Supply and Higher Education, UGC, and the universities.
AHEAD has three Results Areas:
Results Area 1: Increasing Enrollment in Priority Disciplines for Economic Development
Results Area 2: Improving the Quality of Higher Education
Results Area 3: Promoting Research, Development, Innovation and Commercialization (RDIC)

3. TITLE & THE DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT ORIENTED RESEARCH (DOR) PROJECT UNDER RESULTS AREA – 3
“Development of Novel Electrolyte and Electrode Materials for Secondary Sodium-Ion and Magnesium-Ion Batteries”

Development of novel electrode and electrolyte materials for sodium-ion and magnesium-ion batteries will be carried out under this project. Battery cycling and performance evaluation of full-cells will also be done. Better understanding of the fundamental processes involved in the development of novel electrolytes and electrode materials will be one of the important performance achievement targets at the successful completion of this project.

4. KEY TASKS
Subject to any specific directives given by the Director/OTS, Project Co-ordinator and the Deputy Project Co-ordinator, the main duties / responsibilities of the candidate as a Research Assistant will be:

  1. Assist the research team to achieve the assigned KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) within the
    timeline
  2. Synthesize and characterize novel electrolyte and electrode materials for rechargeable sodium-ion and magnesium-ion batteries
  3. Design and execute laboratory experiments in accordance with standard protocols and procedures
  4. Assist with preparation of manuscripts and presentations in conferences for dissemination of research findings
  5. Able to work at the Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna as per the instructions given by the Project Co-ordinator / Deputy Project Co-ordinator and other team members in the project.
  6. Maintain a research log book to update the daily research progress
  7. Submit research progress reports for every 3-month period to Project Co-ordinator/Deputy
    Project Co-ordinator
  8. Assist the OTS and the Project Co- ordinator in the procurement activities of the DOR Project.
  9. Assist the OTS, Project Coordinator and the Deputy Director/ Finance in the Management of Financial Activities of the DOR Project.
  10. Liaise regularly and closely with the OTS, Deputy Director /Finance, Deputy Director/ Procurement, Deputy Director/Engineering and other OTS Staff to ensure the smooth implementation of procurement of goods, works, consultancy and OVAA of the DOR.
  11. Any other relevant duties assigned by the Director/OTS, Project Co-ordinator and the Deputy
    Project Co-ordinator.

5. METHOD OF RECRUITMENT
This is a full-time position. Initially the contract appointment shall be for a period of 12 months. The position may be renewed for another 22 months based on performance and need during the period of the operation. The candidate is encouraged to register for an MPhil programme with the University of Jaffna and the registration fee for the MPhil programme shall be covered by the project.

6. RENUMERATION AND OTHER CONDITIONS
A monthly payment of LKR 55,000/= (it includes cost of living allowance) and applicable EPF & ETF will be paid. Payments will be made on the approval by the OTS/ Director on the recommendation of the Project Co-ordinator.

OTHER BENEFITS: Selected candidates can register for an MPhil degree at the University of Jaffna and the registration fee for the MPhil Programme will be covered by the project.

CONTRACT PERIOD: This is a full-time position. Initially the contract appointment shall be for a period of 12 months. The position may be renewed for additional 22 months based on performance and need during the period of the operation.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE: Selected candidates, if presently serving in a Government Department / Corporations / Statutory Boards, will have to obtain his / her release through their respective appointing authority.

7. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  1. Bachelor of Science (BSc) special degree either in Physics or Chemistry (Priority will be given to those who have First Class or Second Class Upper Division)
  2. Hands-on experience with electrical, optical and thermal characterization techniques
  3. A track record of research as evidenced by publications / presentations at undergraduate or postgraduate level would be an added advantage
  4. Prior research experience pertinent to ‘Materials Science’ or ‘Rechargeable Batteries’ is desirable
  5. Age: Not more than 40 years

 

8. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

  1. High level of proficiency in written and spoken English
  2. Ability to function effectively in a team environment inspiring trust and cooperation of other team members
  3. High level of IT literacy
  4. Knowledge in novel materials for batteries, basic electrochemistry and spectroscopic techniques
  5. Proven analytical skills and ability to work independently in a research team
  6. Ability to solve technical and methodological issues during project implementation

 

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants who are interested in the above posts are requested to submit their application through E-mail to ots@univ.jfn.ac.lk in the prescribed form available in the University of Jaffna website www.jfn.ac.lk. Also need to submit a brief CV. Original documents should be submitted at the interview. Date for the interview will be notified to the eligible candidates through E-mail.

Application Form

Note: Applicants in the Service of Government, Corporations and Statutory Boards can submit their application directly. When the applicant present for the interview, he / she should bring a hardcopy forwarded through the Head of Institution concerned.

Please refer University of Jaffna Website for further information.

Registrar.