Research Assistant - 4th yr complete

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Opportunity: Research Assistant (RA) position within the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies; Faculty of Applied Health Sciences.

Project title: SOARWell-AiP: Sociotechnical observation and assessment research into wellbeing and aging in place

Supervised by: Dr. Alisa Grigorovich

Salary: $22.40

Hours: ~520 hours (10 hours/week)

Start date: March 18th, 2025

End date: March – Feb, 2026 (with the possibility of a 12-month extension)

Research Summary:

We are looking to recruit a research assistant to support data collection, analysis, and dissemination activities for a longitudinal mixed-methods study exploring the experiences and perspectives of older adults co-adapting with voice-activated virtual assistants (VAVAs; e.g., Google Assistant, Alexa) to support their aging in place goals. After initial installation of a Google Home Nest Hub in the participants' homes, surveys and interviews will be conducted remotely, at multiple time points to measure changes in older adults’ use of VAVAs over time, the impact that co-adaptation has on their use and well-being, and other factors that influence use behaviours and intentions. This mixed methods project is funded by an SSHRC grant, and the incumbent will work with a team of researchers at Brock University, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Toronto, and Western University.

What you will do:

This will be a primarily remote position with some travel in the GTA and/or Niagara region for data collection.

The research assistant will provide support to the project research associate and researchers team to support data collection, data analysis and dissemination of findings, including some or all the following tasks depending on interest and expertise:

1. Recruitment, screening, and enrollment of research participants
2. Training and technical support for use of voice-activated virtual assistants (Google Nest Hub)
3. Conduct semi-structured interviews with research participants
4. Participate in the analysis of collected qualitative and quantitative survey data
5. Create and write knowledge translation outputs for community and academic audiences (e.g., website building and maintenance, lay research summaries, abstracts, support the research team with manuscript preparation)
6. Edit and proofread documents
7. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Training and support can be provided in whichever areas are necessary.

Qualifications:

1. Must be currently enrolled in a thesis-based master's graduate program at the time of the application
2. Master’s student with strong experience and/or training in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
3. Ability to travel to research participants' homes for initial installation of VAVAs
4. Proficient in using SPSS and NVivo or similar types of analytical software
5. Excellent written communication skills and organizational skills
6. Ability to work independently and in a collaborative environment
7. Technical expertise and experience using VAVAs is an asset

Please e-mail your job application (Brief Cover Letter, CV and writing sample (published paper or course paper) to the project coordinator Dr. AnneMarie Levy at alevy@brocku.ca

Please send any questions you have about the job application or project to Dr. Alisa Grigorovich at agrigorovich@brocku.ca

We are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where possible as outlined in our Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. As a student-centered organization, all employees are required to work on campus as needed.

Brock University is committed to creating a respectful and equitable workplace. We strive to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in our work and learning environments. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and actively encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous Peoples, people who identify as Black, African and/or Caribbean, as racialized and/or as from ethnic and cultural minority groups, and other underrepresented demographic groups at Brock and in the Niagara region. Brock also recognizes intersectionality and the interconnected identities, histories, and experiences of these aforementioned groups.

We are committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment, and we accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process, as outlined in our Employment Accommodation Policy and consistent with the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Please contact talent@brocku.ca if you require a disability-related accommodation so we can ensure your participation needs are met.

Brock University does not use AI Technology at any stage of the recruitment process.

We appreciate all applications received. Candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca.