Teaching Assistant – Spring 2025

URB 670, Urban Research Methods

Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU)

Closing date: 9:00am, November 15, 2024

Work load: 3.81 BU

Course: URB 670, Urban Research Methods

Monday, 5:30-9:20 PM

Starts: January 6, 2025

TA for required Urban Research Methods graduate course, which covers epistemological approaches to research methodology, and overview of both quantitative and qualitative research methods in the social sciences. 

Duties include but not limited to:

• Attending all lectures
• Conducting designated tutorials
• Reviewing assignments
• Holding office hours 
• Responding to student inquiries via email

The preferred candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Knowledge of multidisciplinary urban research
• Understanding of range of research epistemologies in the social sciences
• Familiarity with a range of methodological softwares, including qualitative (NVivo) and quantitative (SPSS, Excel)
• Familiarity with key urban data sources and strategies
• Availability to attend lectures and offer tutorials and office hours in the evening
• Demonstrated proficiency in English communication skills, both oral and written

Please note

• The appointment will be from January 6 to April 26, 2025.

• Applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada must have a valid study/work permit, a Canadian bank account, and a valid Canadian SIN in order to be appointed.

In addition to the listed qualifications for each position, Urban Studies will define qualification in accordance with Article XIII F of the Collective Agreement with the Teaching Support Staff

Union (TSSU). Evaluation of the adequacy of qualifications is at the director’s discretion. Interviews may be requested of a short list of candidates.

Equity: The University is committed to the principle of equity in employment. (See Policy GP 19.)

Privacy: The information submitted with your application is collected under the authority of the University Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.468, s. 27(4)(a)), applicable federal and provincial employment regulations and requirements, the University's non-academic employment policies and applicable collective agreements. The information is related directly to and needed by the University to initiate the employment application process. The information will be used to contact references supplied by you, evaluate your qualifications and complete the employment process by making a hiring decision. Applicant information may also be disclosed to the Teaching Support Staff Union in accordance with Article XIII F.3.1.b of the Collective Agreement. If you have any questions about the collection, use and disclosure of this information please contact the Associate VP, Human Resources, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6. Telephone: 778-782-323.

To apply, please submit the following to urban@sfu.ca:

If you are an SFU graduate student:

• An application letter stating your motivation for wanting to TA this course

• A current CV

• Ensure your application package includes your name

o SFU student number

o email address

o telephone number

o the degree program in which you are enrolled

o the amount of funding from merit-based scholarships that you will receive in Spring 2025

If you are an SFU undergraduate student, or not an SFU student:

• An application letter stating your motivation for wanting to TA this course

• A current CV

• Ensure your application package includes your  name

o email address

o telephone number

o SFU student number if applicable

o The degree program in which you are enrolled, if applicable

o a list of all courses you have experience teaching or TAing, research methods courses in which you have been a student, and other evidence of your experience learning, applying and teaching urban-related research methods

For questions and inquiries, please email Urban Studies program director Karen Ferguson at kjfergus@sfu.ca or the Manager, Academic and Administrative services, at urban@sfu.ca.