Regular/Temporary

Temporary

Job Title

Research Assistant III

Job ID

70441

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

07/08/2025

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

07/31/2025

Employee Group

Interim

Favorite Job

Department

Community Engagement

Contract Duration

12.4 Months

Hours per Week

5

Posting Details

The Office of Community Engagement (OCE) exists to ensure that McMaster is a major contributor to the social, economic and cultural life of local communities. It also exists to provide educational, research and service opportunities for our students so that McMaster graduates, regardless of their discipline, have the opportunity to integrate 'real world' experiences with their academic work and prepare themselves for engaged citizenship. The OCE oversees and develops programs and projects that develop capacity for community-engaged research (CER) across McMaster University. The OCE administers the Interdisciplinary Minor in Community Engagement and develops capacity for community engaged teaching and learning across McMaster University. The OCE builds and sustains relationships between community organizations and researchers, instructors, students and staff at McMaster University.

Housed within the OCE, the McMaster Research Shop is a co-curricular volunteer program where graduate and upper-year undergraduate students conduct research in partnership with a public, non-profit, and other social purpose organizations. Our services are provided free of charge to our partners, and students gain the opportunity to develop and apply their research skills in a real-world setting (a "win-win"). Each project team is led by a part-time Team Lead.

Job Description

Description

Reporting to the Research Shop Manager, the Research Assistant Team Leads are expected to lead on the planning, implementation, and dissemination of a CER project. This will include supervising a team of student volunteers to build capacity and carry out research activities according to project timelines. We are hiring seven (6) team leads to lead one Research Shop project per semester from Fall 2025 to Spring/ Summer 2026 (three semesters).

Job Summary

Provide research support for community-based projects including the collection of data and provide data analysis. Work is performed independently, with the availability of direction and guidance from Research Staff or Manager.

Accountabilities

• Adhering to established research methodology, work with the Research Shop Manager and volunteer Research Associates to gather and compile data for the research study or project.

• Modify and adapt research methods, techniques or procedures, based on deviations in experimental results.

• Record, classify, and summarize research data according to established procedures.

• Conduct structured participant interviews and focus groups.

• Carry out intermediate level statistical analyses.

• Contribute to the preparation of data for reports, journal articles, papers, etc.

• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize findings.

• Perform other related tasks as outlined by the researcher.

Qualifications

Education: Completed a relevant post-secondary degree. Experience: Minimum of 6 months of related experience in a research environment.

Assets

Candidates should ideally have theoretical and practical knowledge of social research methods, including but not limited to literature reviews, intermediate statistics, environmental scans, surveys, interviews, and/or focus groups. Other assets include: Excellent communication skills, written and verbal project management, time management, working in teams/leadership experience, experience working with Hamilton-based community groups, experience working with the Research Shop as a Team Lead or volunteer.

Additional Information

Team Leads will be expected to work approximately 5 hours per week, with flexibility in where and when those hours are worked. The Team Lead will organize team meetings, lead on the development and implementation of a research plan, act as the main liaison between the team and community partner, and keep the Research Shop Manager updated throughout the course of each project.

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.