Research Assistant, Prairie Employer Initiative for Intimate Partner Violence

About the Project

The Research Assistant (RA) will support Ready to Respond: A Prairie Employer Initiative for Intimate Partner Violence, a community-engaged research project examining how employers respond when employees disclose experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV), and how organizational responses shape safety, well-being, and employment stability. 

About the Role

Working closely with the Principal Investigator (Dr. Alishau Diebold), the part-time RA will contribute to the foundational research and partnership development activities necessary to advance the project. Responsibilities will include conducting an environmental scan of academic and grey literature, identifying relevant workplace policies and legislative frameworks across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, and supporting coordination with research partners. There is an estimated 125 hours total available for this role.

This position offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in applied social science research, policy analysis, community-engaged scholarship, and knowledge mobilization. We welcome applicants from a range of academic disciplines who demonstrate strong research, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. The successful candidate will be curious, self-directed, comfortable learning new things, and able to take initiative in an evolving research environment.

The RA’s work will directly contribute to establishing the research foundation for Ready to Respond: A Prairie Employer Initiative for Intimate Partner Violence. Through environmental scanning, research synthesis, and partnership coordination, the RA will help identify existing evidence, policies, and organizational practices that will inform the project’s subsequent qualitative research activities. The position will contribute to the development of a Prairie Employer Response Framework and Implementation Guide designed to support employers in responding to employees experiencing IPV. This work will support the project’s broader goal of strengthening workplace responses to IPV and promoting safer, more supportive, and responsive employment environments. 

The RA will gain experience in

• Community-engaged and applied social science research.
• Environmental scanning and policy analysis.
• Academic and grey literature searches and research synthesis.
• IPV and gender-based violence research.
• Workplace policies, employer responsibilities, and legislative frameworks.
• Research partnership development and community collaboration.
• Research coordination and information management.

Responsibilities

Environmental Scan and Research Synthesis 

• Conduct searches of academic literature and grey literature related to IPV, workplace responses, employer practices, and the impacts of IPV on employment. 
• Identify and compile relevant workplace policies, organizational procedures, and legislative frameworks across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. 
• Review and organize research evidence related to employer responsibilities, workplace accommodations, employee safety, and organizational responses to IPV disclosures. 
• Develop annotated bibliographies, evidence summaries, and research briefs to support the project’s development.

Research Partnership Coordination 

• Assist with organizing project meetings, preparing meeting materials, documenting discussions, and tracking partnership activities and action items. 

Research Development and Project Support 

• Assist the Principal Investigator in developing research materials informed by the environmental scan and emerging evidence. 
• Identify emerging research questions, information gaps, and opportunities to strengthen the project's research activities.

Qualifications

• Funding for this position is intended to support MRU student participation in faculty research opportunities. Preference will be given to candidates who are active MRU undergraduate students. 
• An interest in social work, sociology, psychology, political science, business, public policy, community development, or another related field. Applicants from diverse academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• Previous research experience is an asset but is not required. Training and guidance will be provided.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, specifically when managing research materials and information.
• Ability to locate, review, critically assess, and summarize information from a range of sources.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and take a proactive approach to assigned responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with academic and community partners.
• Flexibility and openness to learning new research methods, tools, and approaches.
• Ability to communicate progress, ask questions, and seek guidance when encountering challenges.
• Commitment to confidentiality, ethical research practices, and responsible handling of research materials.
• Strong written communication skills.

Closing Date: November 10, 2026

A resume 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).