Research assistant – casual position

Start date: Will commence when a suitable candidate is found

Application deadline: Will remain until filled

Supervisor: Dr. Katie MacDonald

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Status: Approximately 14 hours per week over 12 months

Labour in community and affordable housing

Overview

This research position will contribute to a growing area of research on labour in community and affordable housing. This growing area of research includes working with multiple community partners, engaging in qualitative research, and supporting the overarching learnings from diverse investigations into work in the affordable housing sector. Specifically, they will contribute closely to two projects: (1) exploring the Finnish Housing system for learnings for Canada, and; (2) a podcast project on housing labour. Additionally they will provide support to three other research projects examining housing including housing worker experiences, and intersectional approaches to housing. There is also support for this position to attend one academic conference and present a paper on related research.

This position is about 14 hours/week, at 25$/hour. This is a one year position with a possibility of extension.

Key Responsibilities

1. Finland Housing System Project (~5 hours/week):

  • Conduct a literature review on the Finnish housing system and its relevance to Canada
  • Collaborate on a comparative analysis of Canadian and Finnish housing policy
  • Co-develop the project’s ethics submission and assist with survey implementation
  • Support the analysis of survey data collected from Canadian leaders who participated in a study

2. Podcast Project on Housing Labour (~5 hours/week):

  • Develop a literature review on affordable housing labour
  • Help develop a proposal for the podcast series
  • Assist with the recording and editing of podcast episodes
  • Coordinate logistics for podcast production and manage communication with collaborators

3. Administrative Support And Other Projects (~4 hours/week):

  • Approve timesheets and manage team coordination
  • Coordinate evaluation
  • Coordinate monthly professional development opportunities for team members
  • Contribute to research publications, including editing and finalizing submissions

Qualifications

  • Experience in qualitative research
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines
  • Experience in research administration, including literature reviews, data analysis, and ethics submissions
  • Knowledge of affordable housing policies and systems
  • Excellent communication skills for collaboration with internal teams and external partners
  • Proficiency in software tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, research management tools)
  • Podcasting skills or interest in developing audio content are a plus, but not required

How to apply

To apply, please submit your resume, a brief cover letter highlighting your relevant experience, and why you are interested in the position to macdonaldk@athabascau.ca.

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.

Assistantship