A job description follows. Please pass this on to anyone who might be appropriate. Note that responses go to Peter Will (Will@isi.edu).
Thanks,
-- Bob
====================================================================== Robert Neches USC/ISI, 4676 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 USA Phone: 310/822-1511, Fax: 310/823-6714 ======================================================================
Project Leader -- FAST Research Information Sciences Institute University of Southern California
There is an immediate opening at the project leader level in the research component of ISI's FAST effort. FAST is an ongoing research project and experimental service in electronic commerce, exploring issues required to achieve a vision of moving business onto electronic networks, enabling rapid acquisition of goods via largely paperless, on-line communications. FAST is organizationally divided into two closely cooperating groups. The operations group is responsible for an on-line testbed service and development/maintenance of its operational information systems. The research group is responsible for longer-term technology development and infusion of advanced technology into the operational system. The project leader of the research group will work closely with the operations group.
The long-range vision behind FAST includes scalable volume. We seek to support one electronic marketplace that admits a range of users from engineering/prototyping through intermittent purchasing by small business through large numbers of transactions by government/industry procurement centers. The vision includes support for business relationships beyond simple purchasing (e.g., engineering and design planning information and business processes such as vendor qualification on-line). The vision also incorporates business webs: companies should eventually be able to do both buying and selling via the same electronic marketplace, and components of the electronic marketplace infrastructure (e.g., brokering services) may themselves be on-line businesses.
To move toward this vision, issues addressed in FAST research cover a wide range, including:
- intelligent, distributed representations of vendor product lines and capabilities - robust, extensible translation between differing data formats and communications media - machine interpretible specification of business processes and requirements - active catalogs - DB bridging, meshing, and gluing - metering and charging for information services - security - HCI and CSCW issues in both external interfaces and internal operations of electronic commerce services - system architecture issues in software interfaces
These issues are explored in the context of FAST's on-line testbed, which currently provides procurement support for over 135 customers and accesses over 3000 suppliers. The service deals with a range of business functions, including validation of requested parts, identifying potential sources of supply, obtaining quotes, placing orders expediting delivery, providing accounting, etc.
The ideal candidate is familiar with a wide range of advanced technology, and is therefore capable of defining and executing an innovative research program responsive to significant issues in the operational testbed (rather than seeking to define problems so as to justify use of pre-selected technical approaches). The candidate should be sensitive to practical applications issues, and must be able to work effectively with the testbed service group to define technology requirements and organize smooth transitions of new technology into the operational system.
The University of Southern California, Information Sciences Institute is an equal-opportunity employer with competitive salary and benefits packages.
For further information, contact:
Peter Will Information Sciences Institute University of Southern California 4676 Admiralty Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292 310/822-1511, Fax 310/823-6714 Internet: Will@isi.edu USC/ISI is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer.