Simon Fraser University’s Office of the Vice-Provost & Associate Vice President, Learning and Teaching invites applications for a research assistant for the Decolonizing and Indigenizing STEM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) at SFU project, to begin October 25, 2021, or earlier.

The goal of this project is to support STEM faculty as they begin or continue to decolonize and Indigenize STEM pedagogy, curricula, and classrooms at SFU, for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. This entails investigating faculty members’ understanding of decolonization and Indigenization, assessing their needs and identifying the best tools to assist them in operationalizing these processes and goals, and making, implementing, and assessing recommendations made by the project team.

The successful research assistant will undertake literature reviews regarding Indigenous science and pedagogy; interview STEM faculty about their pedagogical needs; collect, analyze, and summarize data; compile, organize, store, and disseminate project related resources and contact lists; schedule and attend meetings.

Research assistant responsibilities include:

• Performing literature searches and reviews;
• Performing surveys and/or conducting interviews and/or focus groups;
• Conducting data analysis;
• Assisting reporting of findings (e.g., presentation, manuscript writing, final report, academic publications);
• Maintaining research related records and databases, entering data according to established protocols;
• Organising research information (databases, spreadsheets, written reports, etc.);
• Planning and coordinating research related meetings, events and/or liaison; and
• Overseeing other research-related logistics.

Required qualifications, skills, and experience:

• Currently enrolled as a student at SFU;
• Experience conducting literature searches and reviews;
• Experience in research instrument design such as creating surveys, interview protocols, and interview questions;
• Experience coordinating, conducting, recording, and transcribing interviews;
• Expertise with analyzing and summarizing data (including survey data);
• Strong interest and demonstrated experience in decolonization and/or Indigenization generally and/or as they relate to teaching and learning in a higher education setting;
• Strong interest and demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures and traditions;
• Time to commit to the project (5 to 10 hours per week);
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong oral and written communication skills; and
• Experience in academic writing as demonstrated in assessments or previous projects.

Rate of pay: $22 - $26/hr. (incl. vacation and statutory holiday pay, no medical or dental benefits) - based on experience, qualifications and degree program (PhD or MA/MSc).

Duration and time commitment: Until March 31, 2022. Up to 150 hours, with the possibility of additional hours.

To apply: Applicants should submit: (1) a 1-page cover letter highlighting qualifications, skills, role responsibilities, and previous applicable experience as listed above, (2) a 1-2 page resume. These two items should be organized as one PDF attachment and addressed to Dr. Nawal Musleh-Motut, Postdoctoral Fellow in Social Justice and Decolonization at the Institute for the Study of Teaching and Learning in the Disciplines (ISTLD), and emailed to nawal_motut@sfu.ca, with the subject header: DI STEM RA Position.

Note: References will only be requested from short-listed applicants.

Application deadline: Friday, October 8, 2021, 4:00 PM. We appreciate all replies to this posting; however, we will only contact short-listed applicants.