Innovation North
Location: Remote, with availability for occasional meetings in London, Ontario
Position Type: Summer Internship, Full-time, May-August 2022
Typical Hiring Range: $21.70-23/hr depending on level of education
About Innovation North
Innovation North at Ivey Business School is research team fueled by the belief that corporations can create a future where businesses and society thrive. Created in 2019 by Dr. Tima Bansal, one of the world’s top cited scholars in Business and Management, Innovation North is the only collective that connects systems innovation researchers with large enterprises to help them integrate systems thinking into their business strategy.
Traditionally, firms approach their innovation agenda focused on profits. Conventional innovation processes, such as stage-gate and design approaches, can create harm for the world by ignoring the wider ecological, social, and economic systems in which a firm is embedded. There is a better way. At Innovation North, we believe that organizations can create prosperity and well-being for everyone by applying systems thinking to the innovation process. This requires creativity, teamwork, the inclusion of diverse stakeholders, and a commitment to a better future for all.
Who you are
You believe that organizations can create products and services that make money and contribute to a better world. You are excited about working with Innovation North’s research team and practice partners (who are senior executives at Canadian corporations) to create a new vision for innovation and systems design where corporate interests are integrated with society. You value new ideas and want to be part of a team that will mobilize those ideas to create real change where business, academia, government, and civil society come together to create a social movement.
You are innovative and creative, and like to work with others who want to create something new and powerful together. You are an exceptional communicator, converting complex ideas into simple, powerful, and memorable messages. You also are an exceptional executer, ensuring projects are completed on time and with impeccable quality. You have strong attention to detail, but can still see the big picture and what is important. You are a strong team player and leader, who can thrive in a team of people with diverse backgrounds. You are familiar with systems thinking and bring a broad knowledge of the world to your work.
Over the summer, you will support our research team and practice partners to apply the Innovation North Compass (a tool that will help organizations apply systems thinking to their innovation processes) to organizational problems. With the Research Project Analyst, you will scope the problem, build systems awareness, ideate potential solutions, and mobilize for action. You will help the team to create case studies that will help organizations adapt their innovation processes.
Responsibilities
The Research Assistant will support the research activities for qualitative and quantitative projects in adherence with ethics protocols and guidelines. You will support the Research Project Analyst in the day-to-day research activities of Innovation North, including any of the following:
-Preparing literature searches and reviews
-Collecting, entering, and processing qualitative and quantitative data
-Communicating with and interviewing internal and external stakeholders
-Drafting and disseminating research results and recommendations (including, but not limited to, presentations, reports, case studies, etc.)
Qualifications
Education
– Undergraduate or Master’s degree (in progress or recently completed) in a relevant area of focus (Business Administration, Management, Social Sciences)
Experience
-Previous work experience supporting research in a field related to sustainability, business, and/or innovation is preferred
Skills, Abilities & Expertise
-Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to write clearly and concisely
-Critical thinking skills with the ability to apply a systems lens to an issue
-Knowledge of social and environmental issues in business and organizational leadership
-Personable and courteous in working relationships with researchers, practice partners and the public
-Ability to collect qualitative data, such as note-taking and observing during meetings, leading stakeholder interviews or focus group discussions, and creating surveys
-Ability to analyze qualitative data, such as reports, media articles, interview transcripts, and academic journals
-Familiarity with the Microsoft Office Suite, project management software, collaboration tools, and tech-savvy for data collection, analysis, and dissemination
-Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team
-Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter via Working at Western by Monday, March 21: https://www.uwo.ca/hr/working/staff/index.html
Job Opening ID
25402
Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have written and oral communication skills in English.
Western and Innovation North Value Diversity
The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or phone 519-661-2194.
Please Note:
Effective September 7, 2021, all employees and visitors to campus are required to comply with Western’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.
To apply for this job please visit www.uwo.ca.