Researcher/Senior Researcher

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Researcher/Senior Researcher. Terms and conditions vacancy

• Are you motivated and passionate about improving New Zealand’s transport system?
• Is designing for people a concept that comes naturally to you?
• Do you have a proven ability to deliver applied research projects?

Role purpose

The purpose of this role is to deliver high quality research, evaluation, consultancy projects and trials within the field of road safety, active travel, the wider transport system, and other areas where human centered enquiry is needed. We are looking for someone who is motivated, passionate about making a difference, and driven by a desire to create a safer, more user-friendly, and environmentally responsive transport system for New Zealand. You will make a substantial contribution to projects of national significance.

About Mackie Research

Mackie Research is a small team based in central Auckland that provides high quality applied research, evaluation, and consultancy services within the transport and other sectors. We also specialise in formal trials of innovative street design ideas.

For the successful candidate we will provide the opportunity for you to progress your career in this area, often working alongside university and consultant collaborators who are all leaders, some globally. We are a progressive company that believes in supporting our staff so they can move their career to the next level and we provide a clear pathway for this. We are a small company so there is room to move and create your own niche. We have a fun working environment with like-minded individuals, and although we are passionate about our work, we also value work life balance – our small and dynamic team allows for flexible working conditions.

Mackie Research projects all have a focus on human systems – the interaction between people, their environments and the things they use. The concept of ‘human centered design’ underpins all our work.

Examples of our current and recent areas of work include a large-scale street re-design trial (Te Ara Mua – Future Streets), innovative road safety trials (e.g. the Rural Intersection Active Warning System), school travel, cycling, the health implications of transport, and equipment evaluation. Projects range from long-term research in collaboration with universities and other consultants, to small consultancy projects. Mackie Research often works with other consultants to meet project requirements, and we often bridge the gap between academia and practice.

Current Mackie Research clients include the NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Transport, Ministry of Business and Innovation, ACC, and a range of other collaborators.

Mackie Research has high standards and values strong partner relationships. We believe that the way to maintain these strong relationships is through the delivery of high quality work, on-time and on-budget. Client delivery is very important, and we often work closely with clients as part of a team. For more information about us go to www.mackieresearch.co.nz

Function of Researcher/Senior Researcher role

The function of this role is to carry out activities associated with transport research, evaluation, and consultancy projects; including project management, literature or information synthesis, data collection, field work, data analysis, and report writing. Some projects may be carried out in partnership with other team members or external partners, others will be carried out solely by the researcher, reporting regularly to the Director. It is therefore important that the person in this role can work both collaboratively and independently. A senior researcher will be expected to lead and manage projects, while a junior/intermediate researcher is likely to be supporting others, to begin with.

Summary of essential job functions

• Manage projects by agreement with the Director including activity scheduling and tracking, project coordination, budgeting, and client contact
• Carry out the day to day activities required to effectively deliver research, evaluation, and consultancy projects including literature and information synthesis, stakeholder engagement, data collection, data analysis, field work, report writing, and dissemination activities
• Write proposals and respond to RFP’s
• Pursue new business opportunities and drive the flow of work
• Manage junior staff (Senior Researcher)

Requirements

• Passionate about this area of work and making a difference in society
• Masters qualification, or higher, in a field related to Mackie Research’s scope of work (e.g. Human Factors, Psychology, Traffic Engineering, Public Health, Planning)
• Evidence of excellent writing skills
• Evidence of excellent project management skills
• Evidence of excellent inter-personal and client management skills
• Demonstrated quantitative or qualitative analysis ability
• Demonstrated research and evaluation ability, preferably with knowledge of the New Zealand Transport sector.
• Strong communication skills
• Comfortable and willing to adapt to working in a consulting and small business environment
• Initiative, enthusiasm, and ability to self-drive
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively