Research Assistant Opportunity - Evaluation of a Short Intervention to Promote Happiness and Mental Wellness for Undergraduate Students, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby

In response to observed and published high rates of anxiety and depression in undergraduate students, a short intervention will be developed to provide students strategies to better cope with stress from school and in their lives, borrowing from concepts from positive psychology. The central idea is that happiness and well-being can be learned. The RA will lead development of short modules for each class (HSCI 432: Seminar in Epidemiology), as well as development of quantitative and qualitative assessment tools, analysis of findings and completion of a short report, in consultation and under the supervision of the project lead.

Research assistant responsibilities include:

• Undertaking literature reviews related to the scientific basis of happiness;
• Develop short modules to improve student well-being based on the “Science of Happiness” coursera course and other literature in the area;
• Coordinate and conduct student interviews to evaluate the intervention;
• Record interviews and maintain notes of all interviews;
• Transcribe interviews;
• Conduct qualitative data analysis, including coding of transcriptions;
• Quantitative data analysis (documenting workflow, data cleaning, appropriate analyses, drawing conclusions, data visualization);
• Instrument design such as creating surveys, rubrics, interview protocols, observation protocols/checklists, self-reflection tools;
• Summarize project findings;
• Assist the project lead in compiling final report;
• Attend regular meetings with the project lead; and
• Support sharing of/the presentation of project findings within and beyond SFU.

Required qualifications and skills:

• Familiarity with quantitative data analysis packages/languages, such as R;
• 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;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to work independently, productively, and creatively;
• Expert knowledge of database and data analysis and management applications (e.g. NVIVO);
• Expertise in qualitative data analysis;
• Currently enrolled in a graduate program at SFU (M.A., ME.d, MPH, MSc, PhD or equivalent combination of skills and experiences).

Experience and skills that would be an asset:

• An interest in evidence-based teaching and learning, health promotion and well-being measurement.

Rate of pay: $21 - 23/hr (incl. vacation and statutory holiday pay, no medical or dental benefits) - based on experience, qualifications and degree program (MA/MPH or PhD).

Time commitment: 130 - 150 hours; between Summer 2020 and Summer 2021. 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. These two items should be organized as one PDF attachment and addressed to Dr. Hasina Samji, and emailed to hsamji@sfu.ca. Note: References will only be requested from short-listed applicants.

Application deadline: August 7, 2020, 4:30 p.m. We appreciate all replies to this position posting, however, we will only contact short-listed applicants.