Research Associate

Overview

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.

Responsibilities

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 WxL and Work-Integrated Learning 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

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.

Qualifications

• 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
• 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
• Advanced technical skills in Microsoft Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Advanced technical skills in advanced data analytics software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, AMOS, SmartPLS, NVivo)
• Advanced competencies regarding communicating research findings to academic audiences
• Strong 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
• Occasional domestic and/or international travel may be required

Vaccination Requirement Statement

Effective May 1, 2022, the University suspended its Vaccination Requirement. Prior to May 1, pursuant to this Requirement, all University employees were required to submit proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (subject to the University’s obligations under the Human Rights Code to accommodate employees who were unable to receive a vaccination). The University’s Vaccination Requirement website can be found here: https://uwaterloo.ca/coronavirus/return/vaccination-requirement.   

The pandemic is ongoing and public health advice continues to evolve. Accordingly, the University reserves the absolute right to reinstate the Vaccination Requirement on short notice, and upon such reinstatement you will be required to comply. You shall also be required to comply with any new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University from time to time, including new policies/requirements related to mandatory employee vaccination. As the University may need to reinstate the Requirement on short notice, it will continue to collect and maintain up-to-date information on employee vaccination status. Please submit your Covid-19 vaccine status (QR code) to: https://checkin.uwaterloo.ca/   

Failure to comply with the Vaccination Requirement if it is reinstated, including failure to comply with any future amendments to the Vaccination Requirement, or failure to comply with new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University, including those related to new mandatory employee vaccination, shall result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.

The requirement to be vaccinated, if reinstated, will be subject to the duty to accommodate pursuant to the Human Rights Code. If you are unable to be vaccinated for reasons related to a ground protected under the Human Rights Code, you may submit a written request for accommodation with an explanation of the reasons and/or any supporting documentation. If you request accommodation, the University may follow up with you for further information if necessary.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

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 Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

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.