Research Assistant Opportunity

The Simon Fraser University Institute for the Study of Teaching and Learning in the Disciplines (ISTLD) invites applications for a research assistant appointment for the Teaching and Learning Development Grant project, Peer-to-peer Assessments and Their Impact on Quality Feedback Using Kritik and Canvas to begin 1 May 2022 or earlier.

This project will examine the effectiveness of using Kritik, a propriety peer-to-peer learning and evaluation platform, for peer reviewing, which is a fundamental student activity within the pedagogy of education and student learning. By introducing Kritik, the goal is to determine if it will sponsor an increase in the quality and accuracy of the peer assessment, and increase the quality of student work and grade point average on the final essay assignment.

Research assistant responsibilities include:

• Undertaking literature reviews pertinent to the project;
• Conducting recorded semi-structured interviews with teaching assistants;
• Transcribing and cleaning interview data;
• Entry, code, analyze, and summarize data, such as SurveyMonkey Questionnaire and interview data;
• Preparing and reporting project findings;
• Projects’ progress/tracking; and,
• Attending regular meetings with the project lead in a virtual meeting environment, (e.g., Zoom).

Required qualifications and skills you bring:

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program at SFU, or a qualified undergraduate would be considered;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to work independently, productively, and creatively;
• Experience conducting literature reviews beyond own research area;
• Expertise in qualitative data analysis;
•  Ability to select and implement meaningful analyses, including appropriate statistical treatment, and effectively communicate the work to a non-data-science audience;
• Academic research and writing skills, as demonstrated by prior completion of similar projects;
• Expert knowledge of database and data analysis and management applications (e.g., FileMaker, Zotero and/or NVIVO);
• Experience in research instrument design such as interview protocols, and interview questions;
• Experience coordinating, conducting, recording and transcribing interviews;
• Expertise with analyzing and summarizing data (including survey data);
• Organizational skills;
• Time to commit to the project (10-15+ hours per week).

Experience and skills that would be an asset:

• Previous research assistant experience with a teaching and learning inquiry project;
• Strong interest in improving online learning in a higher education setting; and,
• An interest in evidence-based teaching and learning, and education in the sciences.

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

Duration and time commitment:  May 2022 to August 2022. Up to 140 hours, with the possibility of additional hours.

To Apply: Applicants should submit: (1) a 1-page cover letter structured to address the qualifications, skills, and role responsibilities as listed above, and (2) a 1-2 page resumé with two references listed. These two items should be organized as one PDF attachment and addressed to Dr. Jacquie Nelsen, and emailed to jacquie_nelsen@sfu.ca with the subject header: TLDG RA Position.

Note: Letters of reference will only be requested from short-listed applicants.

Application deadline: April 28, 2022. We appreciate all replies to this position posting; however, we will only contact short-listed applicants.