Research assistant - casual position

Start date: Will commence when a suitable candidate is found

Application deadline: Will remain until filled

Supervisor: Dr. Sabine Graf

Faculty: Faculty of Science and Technology

Location: The position can be done remotely from anywhere in Canada.

Status: 150 hours (with possibility of extension)

Research Dissemination and Knowledge Mobilization
within the research program “Mining educational data to provide intelligent information and personalized recommendations”

Overview

This position is designed to assist in dissemination and knowledge mobilization activities within the research program “Mining educational data to provide intelligent information and personalized recommendations”. This NSERC‐funded research program consists of several smaller research projects for which we are looking for one or two research assistants who can help with dissemination of research results and knowledge mobilization.

Dissemination activities include, for example, assisting with publishing scientific papers in the area of educational data mining, learning analytics, personalization in learning systems, and intelligent learning systems. Those activities may include to update literature review sections of existing (but not yet published) papers with new references, considering reviewers’ feedback to improve existing papers, organizing references in the proper format within a paper, and formatting papers to be submitted to academic conferences or journals.

Knowledge mobilization activities include activities to make our research more accessible, not only to other researchers but also to other relevant sectors and the public. Activities include, for example, creating, redesigning and/or updating project websites. Activities can also include assisting in organizing online research workshops to make research results more accessible. It also includes promoting our research through social media and other appropriate channels.

We are looking to hire one or two research assistants. The successful candidates will be working under the supervision of Prof. Sabine Graf. The successful candidates will work with, and directly report to, Dr. Sabine Graf at Athabasca University.

The primary job duties for the research assistants will include some or all of the following activities (depending on preference and skills):

  • Assist with writing and publishing academic papers, in particular:
    • Updating existing literature review sections with new references
    • Considering reviewer feedback to improve the papers
    • Organizing references properly
    • Formatting papers according to author guidelines
  • Creating, redesigning and/or updating research project websites
  • Assisting in organizing online research workshops
  • Promoting our research through social media and other appropriate channels

The successful candidates will gain valuable knowledge and skills in a variety of research‐related activities including the dissemination of research results as well as knowledge mobilization and making research results broadly accessible. In addition, successful candidates will acquire hands‐on learning and research skills through participating in preparing academic papers for publication; creating, redesigning and updating research project websites; assisting in organizing online research workshops; and promoting research through social media and other appropriate channels. All skills acquired will be professionally transferable.

Qualifications

Required qualifications vary depending on which activities you will be working on. They include:

  • Experience in writing literature reviews
  • Experience on how to correctly cite references (e.g., through assignment submissions, etc.)
  • Experience in academic writing (e.g., through assignment submissions, etc.)
  • Good web programming skills (i.e., HTML, JavaScript)
  • Good communication skills
  • Good organizational skills
  • Detail‐oriented
  • Ability to work independently and reliably, as well as ability to work within a team
  • Spending at least 10‐15 hours per week for working on this project

Amount of hours: 150 hours (with possibility of extension)
Location: The position can be done remotely from anywhere in Canada.

We are looking particularly for people who would like to join the research team for a longer period of time. This position also prepares you well for later conducting your MSc essay, project or thesis or undergraduate research project.

How to apply

Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit their application by email to Dr. Sabine Graf (sabineg@athabascau.ca). Applications should include:

  • a cover letter that summarizes your skills, interests and experience and highlights which activities you would like to perform in this research assistantship
  • a current resume or curriculum vitae
  • an unofficial copy of your transcript, and
  • the contact information for 2 references

Please submit your complete application latest by June 18, 2023, 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. Sabine Graf at sabineg@athabascau.ca.

Assistantship