Research assistant – casual position
Start date: Will commence when a suitable candidate is found
Application deadline: Will remain until filled
Supervisor: Dr. Kharah Ross
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Overview:
The purpose of this project is to complete a scoping review of journal articles that test associations between a race/ethnicity-by-socioeconomic status interactive effect and maternal-child health outcomes, specifically to explore which interactive effect patterns are most prevalent in the literature.
Specific activities include, but are not limited to:
The successful candidate will work with the supervisor, Dr. Ross, to use an existing search strategy to find journal articles that examine race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status and a range of maternal-child health outcomes (pregnancy to infancy or early childhood) in several databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science). Articles will be uploaded to Zotero, examined for inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then coded and have data extracted. The successful candidate will need to have some familiarity with statistics and interactive effects (interaction terms, stratified analyses) to identify studies that test an interactive effect and interpret that interactive effect.
The primary job duties for the GRA-2 will include:
- Conducting literature searches in PubMed, Scopus or Web of Science, adapting an established search strategy for each database’s syntax
- Uploading eligible articles into Zotero
- Reviewing journal articles for inclusion and exclusion criteria
- Reading included articles closely to determine if an interactive effect was tested, and then describe and code the interactive effect
- Extract data from eligible articles, such as geographic region and sample size
- Track total number and included/excluded articles
The successful candidate will work with, and directly report to, Dr. Ross at Athabasca University. Dr. Ross will provide adequate training for the literature review and database searches, including adapting syntax, use of Zotero, and review interactive effect coding and data extraction procedures that will be required.
Qualifications:
- Graduate-level training in statistics, including experience with interaction effect analyses (e.g., regression interaction terms, stratified analysis)
- Previous experience with Boolean search logic and database searches, such as PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook
- Previous experience with systematic reviews is an asset
- Previous experience with citation management software, specifically Zotero, is an asset
- Previous analytic and research experience is an asset
Students will gain experience in completing a scoping review, including critical review of journal articles, and develop background knowledge in maternal-child health and disparities that arise along racial/ethnic and socioeconomic lines. Students also could be co-authors on any outputs.
Amount of total hours: Up to 170 hours between Summer 2026 and May 2027
Location: Virtual
Anticipated Position Start Date: ASAP
How to apply:
Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit their application by email to Dr. Ross at kharahr@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.
Please submit your complete application latest by as soon as possible, which is the date when we will start to evaluate applications. The call will be kept open until successful candidates are 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. Kharah Ross at the coordinates below. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found.
kharahr@athabascau.ca Assistantship