Research assistant – casual position
Start date: November 01, 2026
Application deadline: October 20, 2026
Supervisor: Dr. Jolene Armstrong
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Overview:
The primary job duties for the research assistant will include research, annotation, documentation, organization of materials in an online, virtual work environment.
Specific activities include, but are not limited to
- Literature searches across humanities and interdisciplinary databases, plus digital archives;
- writing annotated summaries of scholarly sources that identify key arguments, methods, and connections to the project's framework;
- using Zotero, with consistent tagging and correct formatting of metadata, tracking emerging scholars/scholarship in ecomedia, decoloniality, research creation by looking at social media.
The successful candidate will work with, and directly report to, Dr. Jolene Armstrong at Athabasca University. Dr. Armstrong will provide adequate training for the documentation, cataloguing, and curation that will be required.
Qualifications
- Applicants must be organized, responsible, attentive to deadlines, clear and timely in communications.
- Computer skills are expected, including internet and library database research, email, Word/Pages, Excel/Numbers, Google Drive, Google Sheets, and Google Docs, Zotero
- Good writing and editing skills are required
- Attention to detail required
This position is particularly well suited to a literary studies, humanities, communications, or related studies, as well as to students interested in digital and environmental humanities. The successful student will gain training and experience researching, organizing and preparing documents for a SSHRC funded research project, with possible opportunities for co-authorship.
The position is based in Edmonton, Alberta, but the work will be carried out remotely.
How to apply
Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit their application by email to Dr. Jolene Armstrong at jolenea@athabascau.ca. Applications should include (as a single PDF file) a brief cover letter that summarizes your skills, interests, and experience; a current resume or curriculum vitae; an unofficial copy of your transcript; and the contact information for 1-2 references.
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 Jolene Armstrong, PhD at the coordinates below, on or before October 20, 2026. Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2026 or until a suitable candidate is found.
Dr. Jolene Armstrong
Chair, Centre for Humanities,
Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and English
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Athabasca University
E-mail: jolenea@athabascau.ca