Will “Research Assistant” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Analyze information obtained from management to conceptualize and define operational problems.

• Study and analyze information about alternative courses of action to determine which plan will offer the best outcomes.

• Present the results of mathematical modeling and data analysis to management or other end users.

• Design, conduct, and evaluate experimental operational models in cases where models cannot be developed from existing data.

• Specify manipulative or computational methods to be applied to models.

• Develop business methods and procedures, including accounting systems, file systems, office systems, logistics systems, and production schedules.

• Collaborate with senior managers and decision makers to identify and solve a variety of problems and to clarify management objectives.

• Break systems into their components, assign numerical values to each component, and examine the mathematical relationships between them.

• Define data requirements, and gather and validate information, applying judgment and statistical tests.

• Prepare management reports defining and evaluating problems and recommending solutions.

• Develop and apply time and cost networks to plan, control, and review large projects.

• Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.

• Observe the current system in operation, and gather and analyze information about each of the component problems, using a variety of sources.

• Educate staff in the use of mathematical models.

• Review research literature.

• Collaborate with others in the organization to ensure successful implementation of chosen problem solutions.

• Perform validation and testing of models to ensure adequacy, and reformulate models, as necessary.