AI GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT (BUSINESS ANALYSIS & CYBERSECURITY) (1)

Position Overview
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Smart Technologies (CAIST) seeks a multidisciplinary Graduate Research Assistant to bridge the gap between technical innovation, user experience, and business utility. This role focuses on Business Analysis, Front-End Development, and Cybersecurity.The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in the software development lifecycle, translating complex business requirements into technical specifications and developing functional front-end prototypes for AI solutions. You will champion Quality Assurance, conduct research into Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies, and ensure that all Centre innovations are secure and user-friendly by design. Additionally, this role is critical in operationalizing the Centre’s mandate for responsible innovation by delivering AI Ethics training and cybersecurity awareness programs.

Essential Qualifications
• Education: A Bachelor’s Degree (First Class or Upper Second) in Information Systems, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Electronic Commerce, Business Management, Business Analytics, Business Intelligence, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Actuarial Science, or Financial Engineering.
• Status: Must be a recent graduate (graduated within the past 24 months).
• Age Limit: Must be 27 years of age or below at the time of application.
Skills Technical Competencies (Essential)
• Front-End Stack: Demonstrated proficiency in Angular (preferred), React, or Vue.js, along with strong skills in Type. Script, HTML5, and CSS/SCSS.
• Web Development: Understanding of RESTful API integration and responsive design principles (Bootstrap/Tailwind).
• Analysis Tools: Familiarity with diagramming tools (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart) for process mapping.
Desirable Skills
• Emerging Tech: Basic understanding of Blockchain concepts (Hyperledger, Ethereum) or Cybersecurity frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001).
• Testing: Experience with automated testing tools (e.g., Jasmine, Karma, or Selenium).
• Data: Proficiency in SQL or data visualization tools (Power. BI/Tableau) is an added advantage.Key Competencies
• Detail Oriented: Meticulous in documentation and testing to ensure zero-defect deployments.
• Adaptability: Ability to pivot quickly between coding front-end interfaces, documenting business logic, and assessing security risks.
• Communication: Strong ability to explain complex technical risks (Cyber/AI) to business audiences.
• Strong analytical thinking with the ability to identify cyber-risk implications early.
• Ability to translate business needs into secure technical specifications.
• Team-oriented and comfortable collaborating with developers and data scientists.

Core Accountabilities
1. Business Analysis & Front-End Prototyping
• Front-End Development: Design and implement responsive user interfaces (UI) and interactive dashboards for Centre research projects using modern frameworks, specifically Angular, React, or Vue.js.
• Requirements Engineering: Lead the development of comprehensive documentation, including Business Requirement Documents (BRDs) and User Stories, ensuring technical feasibility for web and mobile applications.
• Rapid Prototyping: Translate business needs into wireframes and functional HTML/CSS/Type. Script prototypes to validate user flows before full-scale backend integration.
• Support front-end development, UI/UX evaluation, and usability testing for applications and dashboards.
2. Product Quality & App Testing
• App Testing & QA: Execute rigorous Quality Assurance processes for mobile apps and web platforms, performing User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and validating UI responsiveness across devices.
• UI/UX Optimization: Collaborate with designers to ensure front-end implementations meet accessibility standards (WCAG) and provide intuitive user experiences.
• Process Optimization: Map current workflows and propose AI/Tech-driven process improvements for the University and commercial clients.
• Collaborate with backend and machine learning teams to ensure seamless, secure integration of front-end components.
3. Cybersecurity & Emerging Tech Research
• Blockchain Innovation: Conduct applied research into Blockchain and Web3 technologies, exploring use cases such as smart contracts, decentralized identity, and supply chain traceability.
• Security Posture: Assist in cybersecurity risk assessments, specifically focusing on client-side vulnerabilities (e.g., XSS, CSRF) in front-end code and ensuring "Security by Design" frameworks. Support cybersecurity assessments for AI and digital platforms.
• Data Governance: Monitor data handling procedures to ensure integrity, confidentiality, and availability in line with cybersecurity best practices.
4. Capacity Building & Ethical Governance
• AI Ethics Training: Design and facilitate training modules on Responsible AI and Ethics, educating staff and students on algorithmic bias, fairness, and transparency.
• Cyber Awareness: Conduct workshops on digital hygiene and cybersecurity best practices for the University community.
• Produce literature reviews on cybersecurity innovations, blockchain adoption, and secure AI systems.
• Help draft whitepapers, proof-of-concept evaluations, and conference materials.
• Contribute to ethics and cybersecurity compliance documentation for grant proposals.
• Prepare educational materials and deliver short seminars to internal and external users.
• Participate in cybersecurity awareness campaigns, hackathons, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

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Additional Links:
• Click to Apply / View More Information: https://jobs.buse.ac.zw/applicant/vacancy/61/show (opens in new window)