Student Research Assistant - Justice Studies
About the role
Faculty/Department Faculty of Arts Unit Arts-Justice Studies Employee Group CUPE 2419 CUPE 5791 Job Family N/A Category Student Number of Vacancies 2 Position Summary
We are seeking applicants fortwo Research Assistants(one graduate RA, one undergraduate RA) to assist with the research project outlined below:
‘No Pay, High Price?: Addressing Stress and Mental Health for Alberta’s Search and Rescue Volunteers’
Project Overview:
This project examines the mental health and stress experiences of Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers in Alberta, funded by the Government of Alberta. SAR volunteers are a critical part of Canada’s emergency response system, regularly engaged in high-pressure and emotionally demanding missions, including searches for missing persons and the recovery of the deceased. Despite this, they operate as volunteers and often without the supports available to other first responders. This research explores the psychological stressors, emotional impacts, and risk for post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) associated with SAR work, as well as the coping strategies and supports volunteers rely on. It also examines how SAR teams work alongside police and other emergency services, and how these relationships shape both operational practices and wellbeing. Students on this project will gain hands-on experience in qualitative research using survey data (Qualtrics), as well as opportunities to contribute to real-world research outputs, including the possibility of academic publications, conference presentations, reports, infographics, and training materials. The goal of this work is to generate meaningful, applied knowledge that improves support systems, training, and policy for SAR volunteers and their partner agencies.
Objectives:
The research objectives are:
-
Examine the mental health and stress experiences of SAR volunteers in Alberta.
-
Identify factors shaping PTSI risk, coping strategies, and support needs.
-
Explore how inter-agency collaboration influences volunteer stress and well-being.
-
Translate findings into accessible knowledge mobilization outputs for practice and policy.
Position Requirements
1. Graduate RA
Responsibilities: Assisting with all aspects of the research project, including but not limited to:
-
Assisting with qualitative data collection and analysis.
-
Conducting literature reviews and synthesizing relevant research.
-
Contributing to/assisting with written research outputs, including reports and summaries, and knowledge mobilization materials.
-
Participating in regular meetings with the research team.
-
Perform other related research duties as required.
2. Undergraduate RA
Responsibilities: Assisting with all aspects of the research project, including but not limited to:
- Assisting with data collection, organization, and preparation for analysis.
- Supporting literature searches and annotated summaries.
- Assisting with communication and coordination tasks.
- Supporting the creation of visual and knowledge mobilization materials (e.g., infographics, summaries).
- Assisting with formatting and preparation of research documents and knowledge mobilization materials.
- Participating in regular meetings with the research team.
- Perform other related research duties as required.
Preferred Skills & Abilities:
- Strong writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- Experience or coursework in research, particularly qualitative research.
- Ability to manage time effectively, work independently, and stay organized.
- Attention to detail and ability to follow directions on assigned tasks.
- Willingness to learn and engage with research processes and tools.
- Interest and/or experience in policing, search and rescue, missing persons, emergency services, mental health, or related fields.
Preference may be given to applicants with experience in qualitative research and/or interest in policing, SAR, or mental health.
The preferred candidate should be enrolled in a certificate or degree program in social science (e.g., psychology, sociology, justice studies), humanities, Indigenous studies, social work, and/or restorative justice. The preferred candidate is required to be enrolled at the University of Regina.
Physical Demands Pay Grade As Per CUPE 2419 Salary Range As per CUPE 2419 Collective Agreement Status Term Work Hours
Graduate– 8-14 hours a week, up to a maximum of 700 hours between May 1, 2026 – May 1, 2027.
Undergraduate– 8-10 hours a week, up to a maximum of 500 hours between May 1, 2026 – May 1, 2027.
Both positions require availability throughout the full appointment period (i.e., not a summer-only position).
Work will be primarily remote and flexible, with the possibility of occasional in-person meetings on campus and regular virtual check-ins with the research team.
Course Modality Course Dates and Time Duration (if Term/Temporary) May 1, 2026 - May 1, 2027 Full-Time/Part-Time Part Time Preference Posting No Preference Target Posting Not Targeted
Additional Information
Contact Information
Dr. Lorna Ferguson
Lorna.Ferguson@uregina.ca
Job Open Date
03/27/2026
Job Close Date
04/09/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Special Application Instructions
If you require further information regarding this competition please contact the faculty/department you are applying to. Under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Regulations the University of Regina is required to verify that International Students are eligible to work on campus prior to being hired. To confirm this eligibility, International Students are requested to contact UR International – Student Services to obtain a “Verification of Academic Status for the Eligibility to Work on Campus” letter that must be provided to the hiring manager prior to hiring. These letters must be updated each semester and/or as circumstances change.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, and the work associated with this position must be performed within Canada.
Diversity Statement
The University of Regina is committed to an inclusive workplace that reflects the richness of the community that we serve. The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including individuals within the University’s employment equity categories of women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation and all groups protected by the Human Rights Code.
Not the right fit? Search for Student Research Assistant jobs in Regina, SK
About University of Regina
The University of Regina is the leading experience-based learning university in Saskatchewan, located in the province's capital. The preferred institution for more than 16,000 students, the University of Regina is home to 10 faculties, two academic units and approximately two dozen academic departments which have established reputations for excellence and innovative programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
With more than 120 undergraduate academic programs and over 80 graduate programs, the University and its federated colleges offer small class sizes, world-class research, and a beautiful campus!
Our alumni – numbering more than 90,000 – contribute to and build our society in Saskatchewan and in Canada. Our history, our accomplishments, and our growth as a university stem from our commitment to working together for the good of our local and global communities.
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Student Research Assistant - Justice Studies
About the role
Faculty/Department Faculty of Arts Unit Arts-Justice Studies Employee Group CUPE 2419 CUPE 5791 Job Family N/A Category Student Number of Vacancies 2 Position Summary
We are seeking applicants fortwo Research Assistants(one graduate RA, one undergraduate RA) to assist with the research project outlined below:
‘No Pay, High Price?: Addressing Stress and Mental Health for Alberta’s Search and Rescue Volunteers’
Project Overview:
This project examines the mental health and stress experiences of Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers in Alberta, funded by the Government of Alberta. SAR volunteers are a critical part of Canada’s emergency response system, regularly engaged in high-pressure and emotionally demanding missions, including searches for missing persons and the recovery of the deceased. Despite this, they operate as volunteers and often without the supports available to other first responders. This research explores the psychological stressors, emotional impacts, and risk for post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) associated with SAR work, as well as the coping strategies and supports volunteers rely on. It also examines how SAR teams work alongside police and other emergency services, and how these relationships shape both operational practices and wellbeing. Students on this project will gain hands-on experience in qualitative research using survey data (Qualtrics), as well as opportunities to contribute to real-world research outputs, including the possibility of academic publications, conference presentations, reports, infographics, and training materials. The goal of this work is to generate meaningful, applied knowledge that improves support systems, training, and policy for SAR volunteers and their partner agencies.
Objectives:
The research objectives are:
-
Examine the mental health and stress experiences of SAR volunteers in Alberta.
-
Identify factors shaping PTSI risk, coping strategies, and support needs.
-
Explore how inter-agency collaboration influences volunteer stress and well-being.
-
Translate findings into accessible knowledge mobilization outputs for practice and policy.
Position Requirements
1. Graduate RA
Responsibilities: Assisting with all aspects of the research project, including but not limited to:
-
Assisting with qualitative data collection and analysis.
-
Conducting literature reviews and synthesizing relevant research.
-
Contributing to/assisting with written research outputs, including reports and summaries, and knowledge mobilization materials.
-
Participating in regular meetings with the research team.
-
Perform other related research duties as required.
2. Undergraduate RA
Responsibilities: Assisting with all aspects of the research project, including but not limited to:
- Assisting with data collection, organization, and preparation for analysis.
- Supporting literature searches and annotated summaries.
- Assisting with communication and coordination tasks.
- Supporting the creation of visual and knowledge mobilization materials (e.g., infographics, summaries).
- Assisting with formatting and preparation of research documents and knowledge mobilization materials.
- Participating in regular meetings with the research team.
- Perform other related research duties as required.
Preferred Skills & Abilities:
- Strong writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- Experience or coursework in research, particularly qualitative research.
- Ability to manage time effectively, work independently, and stay organized.
- Attention to detail and ability to follow directions on assigned tasks.
- Willingness to learn and engage with research processes and tools.
- Interest and/or experience in policing, search and rescue, missing persons, emergency services, mental health, or related fields.
Preference may be given to applicants with experience in qualitative research and/or interest in policing, SAR, or mental health.
The preferred candidate should be enrolled in a certificate or degree program in social science (e.g., psychology, sociology, justice studies), humanities, Indigenous studies, social work, and/or restorative justice. The preferred candidate is required to be enrolled at the University of Regina.
Physical Demands Pay Grade As Per CUPE 2419 Salary Range As per CUPE 2419 Collective Agreement Status Term Work Hours
Graduate– 8-14 hours a week, up to a maximum of 700 hours between May 1, 2026 – May 1, 2027.
Undergraduate– 8-10 hours a week, up to a maximum of 500 hours between May 1, 2026 – May 1, 2027.
Both positions require availability throughout the full appointment period (i.e., not a summer-only position).
Work will be primarily remote and flexible, with the possibility of occasional in-person meetings on campus and regular virtual check-ins with the research team.
Course Modality Course Dates and Time Duration (if Term/Temporary) May 1, 2026 - May 1, 2027 Full-Time/Part-Time Part Time Preference Posting No Preference Target Posting Not Targeted
Additional Information
Contact Information
Dr. Lorna Ferguson
Lorna.Ferguson@uregina.ca
Job Open Date
03/27/2026
Job Close Date
04/09/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Special Application Instructions
If you require further information regarding this competition please contact the faculty/department you are applying to. Under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Regulations the University of Regina is required to verify that International Students are eligible to work on campus prior to being hired. To confirm this eligibility, International Students are requested to contact UR International – Student Services to obtain a “Verification of Academic Status for the Eligibility to Work on Campus” letter that must be provided to the hiring manager prior to hiring. These letters must be updated each semester and/or as circumstances change.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, and the work associated with this position must be performed within Canada.
Diversity Statement
The University of Regina is committed to an inclusive workplace that reflects the richness of the community that we serve. The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including individuals within the University’s employment equity categories of women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation and all groups protected by the Human Rights Code.
Not the right fit? Search for Student Research Assistant jobs in Regina, SK
About University of Regina
The University of Regina is the leading experience-based learning university in Saskatchewan, located in the province's capital. The preferred institution for more than 16,000 students, the University of Regina is home to 10 faculties, two academic units and approximately two dozen academic departments which have established reputations for excellence and innovative programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
With more than 120 undergraduate academic programs and over 80 graduate programs, the University and its federated colleges offer small class sizes, world-class research, and a beautiful campus!
Our alumni – numbering more than 90,000 – contribute to and build our society in Saskatchewan and in Canada. Our history, our accomplishments, and our growth as a university stem from our commitment to working together for the good of our local and global communities.