Research Assistant, Seeing Themselves in the Mathematics

About the Project

A Research Assistant is sought to support a HCE funded research project titled: Seeing Themselves in the Mathematics: Reconceptualizing Teacher Identity and Self-Efficacy Through Games and Narrative led by Dr. Sarah Hamilton. This study addresses the critical challenge of creating spaces for all learners to see themselves in the mathematics they learn and do. In particular, it examines the fragile relationship of many pre-service teachers (PSTs) with mathematics. The study investigates how two specific pedagogical interventions, low-floor, high-ceiling mathematical games and reflective free-writing, enable support PSTs to reconceptualize their identities as mathematics learners and educators and carry this work forward in early career teaching practices.

About the Role

The Research Assistant (RA2) position will include assisting the PI with basic literature reviews, recruitment of participants, scheduling and facilitating focus groups, and other research administrative tasks. Furthermore, the Research Assistant position will include data collection and analysis, trend monitoring, and the potential for collaborative preparation of reports and presentations with the PI. The Research Assistant will work both independently and collaboratively, with frequent team meetings and work reviewed by the Principal Investigator.

This is a flexible Research Assistant position until December 31, 2027, with varied hours depending on the phase of the research. The RA will work up to a maximum of 200 hours total for the project, with no more than 35 hours on a given week.

Responsibilities

• Training for Ethics (TCPS2), data collection and thematic data analysis
• Administrative research tasks
  • Recruitment of participants
  • Collection and storage of consent forms 
  • Participant outreach and scheduling of focus groups 
• Data collection and research protocols
  • Facilitation of focus groups 
  • Administration of consent forms 
  • Note-taking and reflections 
• Data preparation and anonymization
  • Post-grade appeal, meticulously scrub and anonymize data to the highest degree possible before releasing them to the PI for analysis
• Data Analysis
  • Assist the PI in qualitative data analysis, identifying thematic patterns across the data. 
• Collaborative preparation and participation in dissemination of research findings with PI (If desired)

Qualifications

• Enrollment in an undergraduate degree program at MRU is preferred
• Successfully completed a Research Methods course that includes qualitative research methods 
• Technical skills related to the use of Google workspace; Otter.ai or other transcription tool; and digital tools to manage data (including password protected drives/folders)
• Can obtain police check (including vulnerable sector) in case of school visits if necessary 
• High ethical standards and adherence to Research Ethics, including guidelines in TCPS2 and those outlined in the MRU Human Research Ethics Board certificate for this study
• Strong attention to detail, ability to work independently, and strong communication skills

Salary Rate: $21.87 - $27.61 per hour

Closing Date: August 30, 2026

A letter of interest should be submitted in one .pdf formatted document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Document], [Requisition Number].pdf (ex. Smith, Letter of Interest, 1234.pdf).