Research Associate

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Term 1 year

This role is contingent on funding

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Work-Learn Institute (WxL) is central to advancing the University of Waterloo as a global leader for

research and knowledge mobilization on the impacts of co-operative education and work-integrated

learning (a defining component of the UW brand). WxL is a living lab based on UW’s decades of

experience as leaders in co-operative education. Its mandate is to investigate the development of talent

for a complex future through work-integrated learning and it has three main areas of work: establishing

quality standards for the field, conducting research based on the largest dataset in the world, and

innovating new WIL models and program delivery.

The Research Associate is responsible for conducting and disseminating high-quality research in ways

that generate insights relevant to the theory and practice of work-integrated learning, both within the

University of Waterloo and broader work-integrated learning community.

Key Accountabilities

Conducting Research

· Develop and execute a comprehensive and rigorous research agenda that generates meaningful, relevant, and valuable insights regarding work-integrated learning theory and practice.

· Conduct research on a broad range of topics within the field of work-integrated learning.

· Conceptualize and execute a program of theoretically and methodologically rigorous research.

· Carry out statistical analyses using existing statistical software packages.

· Analyze qualitative data, such as thematic coding of interview transcripts.

· Summarize research findings.

· Support the Associate Director in the preparation of applications for grants and other funding opportunities relevant to the Work-Learn Institute research agenda.

· Actively seek to develop deep knowledge of existing work-integrated learning theory.

· Author manuscripts that are to be submitted to reputable peer-reviewed journals.

· Prepare technical reports and/or book chapters that summarize current insights of interest to various stakeholders (e.g., University administrators, government officials).

· Assist in the preparation of presentations for dissemination of research at scientific meetings, workshops, and seminars at research institutions.

Advising Stakeholders on WIL Research

· Counsel stakeholders internal and external to the University on matters of work-integrated learning research and practice.

· Shares meaningful insights with work-integrated learning stakeholders at relevant professional meetings and conferences (e.g., CEWIL, WACE, STLHE)

Promoting Work-Learn and WIL Research

· Present to faculty, staff and students at the University on WxL research relevant to those stakeholders.

· Present WxL research at conferences.

· Work with WxL staff, especially the Knowledge Mobilization Specialist, to maintain an online presence for WxL, including but not limited to advancement of the WxL WIL Research portal.

· Mobilize WxL’s research into actionable resources for employer-facing staff, faculty, WIL practitioners, and employers

Supervising Research Assistants

· Manage the process of hiring co-op student Research Assistants, posting job advertisements, reviewing applications, and interviewing candidates.

· Provide day-to-day support for co-op students Research Assistants, including assignment of tasks, providing training and feedback.

Required Qualifications

Education

· Research-based Masters degree, most likely in the social sciences with application to educational or organizational research.

· Completion of a Ph.D. degree an asset.

Experience

· Two years of progressively responsible experience performing duties related to research.

· Experience developing and executing a comprehensive research agenda

· Experience in research design and methodology

· Experience with project management

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

· Advanced technical skills in Microsoft Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

· Advanced technical skills in advanced data analytics software (e.g., JASP, JAMOVI, STATA, SPSS, SAS, R, AMOS, SmartPLS, NVivo)

· Advanced competencies regarding communicating research findings to academic and non-academic audiences, especially through workshops, seminars, panels, and presentations.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

· Demonstrated ability to manage and align stakeholders and their input on issues

· Advanced knowledge in one or more of the following substantive areas applicable to a work-integrated learning research agenda: educational research, organizational research, economic/labour research.

· Ability to work successfully with a wide range of groups and individuals (e.g., government, private sector, other researchers) an asset.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.