[CLOSED] RA Opportunity: Join our team!

Research Assistant Opportunity

Are you interested in shaping the student learning experiences at SFU? Are you interested in gaining valuable research experience and working closely with faculty members? Do you have a passion for improving teaching and learning at SFU?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, we invite you to apply to join our team as a SoTL research assistant (RA). We are looking for 1-3 individuals who are passionate about research and want to apply their skills to teaching and learning inquiry and scholarship. Our goal is to build a team with a range of expertise to support SFU instructors in their evidence-based teaching journey.

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) refers to a multi-disciplinary scholarly process of systematic inquiry into teaching and learning and relates to other forms of applied education research. TILT RAs work closely with instructors from all disciplines on teaching and learning inquiry research projects. These projects are managed and supported by the TILT and focus on evaluating innovative pedagogies and learning technologies.

As a member of the team TILT RAs are expected to contribute expertise in SoTL design, data collection, and analysis (often using social science and/or behavioural research methods) to complement faculty expertise in their own discipline and disciplinary teaching practices. Training and support are provided by TILT’s Educational Research Developer. This includes just-in-time support, participation in the TILT group development and collaboration on projects. Supporting all elements of the research process on 1 to 5 projects. This includes collaborating and consulting with faculty. Successful candidates will join an existing, group of staff, faculty, and other students invested in teaching and learning at SFU.

As a member of the team your responsibilities and our expectations include:

• Participation in TILT activities, including workshops, consultations, and team meetings.
• Support of all elements of the research process on 1 to 5 projects. This includes collaborating and consulting with faculty and research personnel.
• Design of evaluation and/or research plans.
• Assisting with preparation of ethics proposals.
• Data collection (e.g., surveys, experiments, interviews, focus groups).
• Data coding and cleaning.
• Quantitative data analysis – mostly descriptive, some inferential statistics.
• Qualitative data analysis – mostly thematic analysis, some ethnographic research.
• A high capacity to work independently, lead projects, and manage problem solving in complex environments.
• A high degree of collaboration with faculty and instructors, SFU staff, and other student researchers.
• Supporting and conducting program-level research on TILT programs, including analysis of survey data.
• Excellent communication skills and a willingness to support research dissemination.

What you bring:

• You are a current SFU student with 2-3 years remaining in your program.
• Knowledge of qualitative (e.g., ethnographic research, NVIVO training, interview experience) and/or quantitative methodologies (e.g., descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, survey design).
• Expertise with research processes (e.g., ethics, data handling, etc.).
• Experience conducting research with human subjects.
• While training in particular methodologies will be supported, the ideal candidate will have a strong background in mixed methods research design and methodology either through prior involvement in research projects, or upper-level research methodology coursework.
• A keen interest in teaching and learning in higher education, and their research.
• A mature ability to consult and work collegially with faculty members.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to undertake literature searches in disciplines beyond own research area.
• An ability to meet and coordinate deadlines (while overall time commitments are flexible, some aspects of projects may be time sensitive).
• An interest or experience with research methodologies such as decolonial, indigenous, and other non-traditional research approaches.
• This position is ideally suited for those who are interested in higher education and in developing skills in: applied educational research, analysis/interpretation of educational evidence and data, research design, higher education, and collaboration.

What we offer:

• Opportunities to learn and develop research skills;
• A first-hand view of teaching and learning inquiry’s impact on student learning.
• A fun and collaborative work environment.

Rate of pay: $28.00 - $33.00/hour (includes 4% vacation and statutory holiday pay, no medical or dental benefits), based on experience, qualifications, and degree program.

Time commitment: Up to 20 hours/week (hours are negotiable). Hiring for August - December. Appointments to be renewed on a semester basis based on performance and available funding.

To Apply: Applicants should submit: (1) a 1-page cover letter structured to address the qualifications, skills, and role responsibilities as listed above and your current SFU student status (what you are studying and estimated time to complete degree); and (2) a 1-2 page resumé. These items should be organized as one attachment and addressed to Dr. Sheri Fabian, and emailed to tilt@sfu.ca References will only be required from short-listed applicants.

Application deadline is July 3, 2024 at midnight (or until filled).

We appreciate all replies to this posting, however, we will only contact short-listed applicants.