Research Assistant, Generative AI

About the Project

Chat-based generative artificial intelligence (AI) is now widely used in Canada, despite public skepticism about the reliability of its outputs. National data indicate that Canadians who express concern about the accuracy of generative AI continue to rely on these systems in everyday decision-making. Existing models of technology adoption assume that trust is a necessary condition for use. Evidence from Canada suggests that this assumption may no longer hold. This project addresses that gap by examining the trust-use paradox in generative AI. The primary objective of the project is to develop a post-trust framework for understanding the adoption and continued use of chat-based generative AI. Rather than treating trust as the central explanatory variable, the research examines how reliance persists despite skepticism. It focuses on the communicative dynamics of human-AI interaction, the design and interface features that signal authority or credibility, and the broader epistemic context associated with post-truth environments. The project asks three questions: Why do Canadian users continue to use generative AI while reporting low confidence in its reliability? Which communication and design features increase acceptance of AI output despite skepticism? Is trust still a valid construct for explaining adoption and use among general audiences?

About the Role

• Attend regular meetings with the PI and research team 
• Receive project-specific training 
• Complete supplementary ethics training 
• Support the systematic literature review by conducting database searches, screening abstracts, and summarizing key theoretical positions related to trust, technology adoption, and generative AI. 
• Assist with preparatory research activities that support survey design, including reviewing relevant literature on trust measures and reliance behaviours and assisting with research documentation.
• Support survey input and modification in Qualtrics 
• Support survey analysis 
• Support  interview recruitment & scheduling  
• Support transcription & analysis of  interviews 
• Conducting comparative thematic analysis using NVivo. 
• Synthesis and dissemination-based activities such as, but not limited to, assisting with the preparation of research summaries, presentation materials, and internal reports suitable for academic and public audiences.

This is a Flexible RA position which is expected to work approximately 10 hours per week, with flexibility depending on the project stage.

The role has potential travel opportunities for conferences in the spring/summer semesters. Priority will be given to individuals who are available for the project’s duration (2 years).

Requirements

• Completed TCPS 2 CORE certificate 
• Experience conducting literature reviews 
• Experience conducting surveys 
• Experience conducting interviews 
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative analysis
• Experience with NVivo is an asset 
• Experience with Qualtrics is an asset

Closing Date:        October 15, 2026

A resume and cover letter should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name]_[Requisition Number]_[Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith_1234_CV.pdf).