Research assistant – casual position
Start date: February, 2022
Application deadline: Will remain until filled
Supervisor: Dr. Vivekanandan Suresh Kumar
Faculty: Faculty of Science and Technology / School of Computing and Information Systems
Location: Remote
Status: Casual position – 35 hours per month over a 14 month period
Enhancing Rural and Regional Real Estate through Community Learning
Overview
This project is looking for a Research Assistant to assist with an Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF)‐funded study that will investigate how climate change, the pandemic, the opioid crisis and lower revenues in the oil and gas industry are all having a serious impact on the future of rural Alberta communities. This initiative focuses on the education of related professionals and the public in respect to the role that real estate can play in the economic, environmental and social recovery of rural and regional Alberta.
Specific activities include, but are not limited to
The primary job duties for the field research assistant (RA‐2, GRA‐1 or GRA‐2) will include:
- support data analysis,
- attend project meetings,
- participate in design charettes,
- create content for the project website, and
- assist with the culminating conference event.
The successful candidate will gain valuable knowledge in the broad areas of ‘program evaluation’. The candidate will acquire hands‐on learning and research skills through participant recruitment, qualitative interviewing, data collection, coding, modelling and analysis. In particular, the candidate will develop and conduct a systematic evaluation of key aspects of the AREF project. They will also gain experience communicating with diverse audiences, including other academics and professionals within the scope of the study. All skills acquired will be professionally transferable. The successful candidate will work with, and directly report to, Dr. Kumar at Athabasca University. Dr. Kumar will provide adequate training for the participant recruitment and scheduling, and the data collection, analysis, and dissemination activities that will be required.
Qualifications
The total hours for this position is 35 hours per month over a 14 month period. The number of weekly hours will vary but be no more than 9 hours per week. Rate of pay commensurate with experience and collective agreement provisions. The successful candidate will be nearing the completion of an undergraduate degree or undertaking a graduate degree. A number of disciplines will be considered, including Computing, Education and Psychology. The successful candidate will have research interests and/or experience in any of the following: goal‐based, process‐based or outcomes‐based program evaluation. Exceptions to this credentialing can be made in cases where the applicant’s educational, work, and lived background provide an exceptional combination of experience and knowledge. In light of the current COVID 19 context, work for this position will take place remotely. Should circumstances change during the time period of this work, there will be opportunities for the successful candidate to work in‐ person with the research team.
How to apply
Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit their application by email to Dr. Kumar at vive@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 Dr Kumar at the coordinates below, on or before February 14, 2021.
Vivekanandan Suresh Kumar, PhD (Computer Science)
Associate Dean, Research and Innovation
Professor, Computing and Information Systems
Director (interim), Athabasca River Basin Research Institute (ARBRI)
Faculty of Science and Technology
Athabasca University
vive@athabascau.ca, http://vivek.LearningAnalytics.ca