I'm a research assistant. Now what?
Congratulations! You've been hired to work as a research assistant (RA) for a TLDG project. The following is some useful information for you.
- What support is there available for me as a TLDG RA?
- Forms needed to complete for my first appointment or changing of financial information
- As a non-Canadian without permanent resident status, what information do I need to provide?
- How do I know how much I've been paid?
- How to I activate my employee (email) account?
- Do I have medical or dental benefits?
- Where is my T4?
- How do I find out about other TLDG RA opportunities?
- Funding for conference attendance and field research
What support is there available for me as a TLDG RA?
The ISTLD can offer varied support during your RA appointment:
- survey and other research tool design
- tips and techniques for conducting & transcribing interviews and focus groups
- data collection, representation, and (qualitative & quantitative) analysis
At any point you can contact the ISTLD team: istld@sfu.ca
Forms needed to complete for my first appointment or changing of financial information
You only need to complete the following forms if this is your first time working at SFU (TA/TM, workstudy, CUPE library job, SSHRC RA -- these all count as working for SFU), or if your financial information has changed (you've changed banks or you want more/less taxes deducted).
**Note: These forms will not open in a browser. Download them and then open them within a PDF reader application.
- TD1 BC Tax Credit & worksheet (worksheet is not submitted)
- TD1 Federal Tax Credit & worksheet (worksheet is not submitted)
- Personal Data Form (includes direct deposit information)
- General Privacy and Confidentiality Agreement Form -- required to be completed with each appointment
- **If a permanent resident, SFU Payroll requests a copy of the front and back of your PR card.
Need help filling out the forms? Contact SFU Payroll (payroll@sfu.ca).
As a non-Canadian without permanent resident status, what information do I need to provide?
You will need to provide a copy of the following:
- work/study visa
- SIN letter
How do I know how much I've been paid?
The easiest way to check if you have been paid is to visit http://myinfo.sfu.ca. Once logged in, follow the link to "Payroll and Compensation Home".
Can't login? You will need to activate your employee account. To activate your employee account, visit here.
If you have more than one RA or TA appointment at the university, it may be difficult to see the breakdown of your payments. Contact payroll@sfu.ca and provide your full name and SFU ID # -- they will be able to provide a breakdown for you.
How to I activate my employee account?
To activate your employee account, visit here.
Do I have medical or dental benefits?
ISTLD RA appointments do not include medical or dental benefits. You are covered by WCB/EI/CPP, and you do receive 4% vacation pay and statuatory holiday pay.
Where is my T4?
Link to SFU Payroll's information about your T4.
Your T4 is located here: http://myinfo.sfu.ca. Once logged in, follow the link to "Payroll and Compensation Home" > "View T4/T4A Slips".
Can't login? You will need to activate your employee account. To activate your employee account, visit here.
How do I find out about other RA opportunities?
Visit the ISTLD website RA opportunities regularly or sign-up for our RA opportunities emaillist.
Funding for conference attendance and field research (SFU graduate students only)
The Graduate Student Society (GSS) at SFU is proud to provide a source of funding to graduate students presenting at conferences or engaging in field research. Graduate students taking part in these professional development activities may apply for a grant of $499. Grants are distributed by lottery to top-scoring applications coded according to an objective system established by the GSS Grants Allocation Committee. For more information: http://sfugradsociety.ca/services/professional-development-grants/