Research Assistant – DTES Climate Readiness Roadmap Project

312 Main Research Shop is a program within SFU CERi that facilitates collaboration between SFU graduate students and non-profit/community groups. It is focused on supporting research projects that provide plain-language answers to community-driven research questions at low or no cost to the community partner.

SFU Climate Innovation, in partnership with CERi and ACT, is conducting a community-engaged research project to assess the climate preparedness of social sector organizations in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES). This project will produce a Climate Readiness Roadmap to help these organizations respond effectively to climate change. The project includes mapping current climate impacts, gathering community input, developing actionable strategies, and establishing a framework for ongoing assessment and knowledge mobilization.

The Research Assistant will support project activities across all phases, including literature review, community engagement, data analysis, and development of educational materials. This role requires strong research skills, familiarity with climate and social equity issues, and experience in community-engaged research (CER). The successful candidate will play a vital role in creating and refining resources for social sector organizations, supporting workshops, and ensuring data collection aligns with project objectives.

• Research and Literature Review

  • Conduct a thorough review of existing climate adaptation literature, tools, and resources relevant to the social sector.

  • Compile summaries and key findings, identifying gaps in current knowledge and resources.

• Community Engagement Support

  • Assist in planning and coordinating community workshops, including liaising with community members, stakeholders, and knowledge holders.

  • Document feedback from workshops and analyze findings to inform the Climate Readiness Roadmap Framework.

• Data Collection and Analysis

  • Collect and organize data on climate impacts, risks, and resource needs for DTES social sector organizations.

  • Analyze data from community workshops and organizational assessments to identify patterns and priority areas for readiness.

• Resource and Scenario Development

  • Assist in creating tailored educational materials (policy briefs, toolkits) for different organizational audiences.

  • Support the development of scenarios and strategic recommendations for implementing climate readiness actions in the DTES social sector.

• Knowledge Mobilization

  • Contribute to creating accessible summaries, presentations, and social media content to share project insights with various audiences.

  • Support knowledge dissemination efforts by assisting with webinars, community forums, and written materials for policymakers and stakeholders.

• Project Evaluation and Reporting

  • Track project progress and lead in compiling evaluation reports for project leaders and external reviewers.

  • Document best practices, challenges, and outcomes from each project phase to refine future climate readiness strategies.

• Master’s or PhD degree (or currently pursuing) in Health Sciences, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Social Sciences, Urban Studies, or a related field.

• Strong research skills with experience in literature review, data collection, and qualitative/quantitative analysis.

• Knowledge of climate adaptation, community resilience, and social equity issues.

• Experience with community-engaged research (CER) and working with diverse communities.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to create clear, concise summaries and visual content.

• Organizational and project management skills, with an ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Experience with knowledge mobilization or public engagement is an asset.

• Please send a current CV, writing sample, and application form to Dr. Tara Mahoney, Research and Engagement Manager at SFU CERi: tmahoney@sfu.ca
• Candidates from equity seeking groups, including Black, Indigenous and racialized people, people facing accessibility barriers, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people and people from low-income backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 
• Application Deadline: The closing date for applications is January 3, 2025.
• Application form link: https://forms.gle/FboCZyP5g5G2Ft6f6