Research assistant – casual position

Start date: Will commence when a suitable candidate is found

Application deadline: January 12, 2026

Supervisor: Dr. Constance Blomgren

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Overview

The OER Educator Community of Practice research project will examine how educators employed with organizations (e.g. Art Canada Institute, museums etc) create open educational resources for a K-12 audience. It is a qualitative study.

Specific activities include, but are not limited to

The primary job duties for the field research assistant GRA 2 or GRA 1 will include:

  • Conduct website searches to locate Canadian non-profit organizations, including galleries and museums, who create educational assets for K-12;
  • Determine the name, role, and email of the educator(s) at the non-profit organization;
  • Update a spreadsheet of relevant organization’s key information and educator contact;
  • Create and update outreach materials (e.g. invitation emails, processes and technologies to support this Community of Practice);
  • Support the series of free professional learning webinars to encourage interest in OER for K-12;
  • Leverage the website Open Teacher AB as part of this research project;
  • Adhere to the research ethics application attached to the webinars;
  • Support the interview process, including conducting online interviews on a secure platform
  • Review transcripts and follow up
  • Conduct qualitative coding of interviews
  • Support other OER asset maintenance as required;
  • Support exploration of new K-12 OER partnerships (e.g. a Connection grant).

The successful candidate will work with, and directly report to, Dr. Constance Blomgren at Athabasca University. All meetings, individual, and collaborative work will be conducted online.

Qualifications

  • A graduate degree or a graduate student with an interest in open education.
  • Good communication and organization skills required.
  • There is an opportunity to co-author of a research article in an education journal.
  • The duration of this position is for 3 months. The number of weekly hours will vary but are equivalent to 12-15 hours per week. Rate of pay commensurate with experience and collective agreement provisions.

Benefits for the successful candidate include: applying project management skills to an online and distributed context, developing a shared Zotero library, developing a Community of Practice outreach materials, and learning about the growing interest in open educational practices.

How to apply

Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit their application by email to Dr. Constance Blomgren at connieb@athabascau.ca. Applications should include a brief cover letter that summarizes your skills, interests and experience; a current resume or curriculum vitae.

Evaluation of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. All applicants are thanked for their interest in this position; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Athabasca University and the researchers are committed and seek to support equity in employment and research opportunities. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous people, people of colour, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ people, women, and other historically marginalized groups. Applicants are welcome, but not required, to self-identify in their letter of application.

For more information on this Research Assistant Opportunity, please contact Dr. Constance Blomgren (connieb@athabascau.ca) with “RA position” in the email RE line, before January 12, 2026.

Hours per week are approximate and may vary based upon activity. This position has a maximum of 40 hours.

Supervisor Contact Information

Dr. Constance Blomgren: connieb@athabascau.ca

Assistantship