Gender and Sexual Violence Research Assistant

Brock University; St. Catharines; On-site; CAD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Brock University is seeking a Gender and Sexual Violence Research Assistant as a Part‑Time Contract Student employee to support policy review within the Human Rights and Equity Office.

The role involves coordinating focus groups, qualitative data analysis, and reporting findings to inform Brock’s Sexual Violence Policy. Candidates must be Brock students as of September 2026 and commit to a 60-hour contract starting Oct 2026 through Dec 2026, with on‑campus delivery in St. Catharines.

Qualifications

• Understanding of gender-based and sexual violence and a commitment to supporting survivors.
• Previous work/volunteer experience in the GSV field is appreciated but not required.
• Current Brock University student as of September 2026 is required.

Responsibilities

• Support the Manager of Gender and Sexual Violence Intake in the review of Brock University’s Sexual Violence Policy.
• Assist with planning and coordinating focus groups with students, staff, and faculty.
• Attend focus groups and document participant feedback with detailed notes.
• Support affinity-based focus groups with note-taking and research support in spaces designed for shared identities.
• Assist with developing recruitment materials and discussion guides.
• Support participant recruitment and engagement with campus partners and student groups.
• Organize and review qualitative data and identify themes and recommendations for policy review.
• Maintain confidential research records in compliance with privacy and ethics.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Documentation

Confidentiality

Educational messaging

Outreach

Critical thinking

Time management

Team collaboration

Initiative

Job description

Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement. We are one of Canada’s outstanding comprehensive universities, where excellence and innovation thrive!Brock has been proudly recognized as a Hamilton‑Niagara Top Employer for eight consecutive years. Brock continues to earn recognition as one of Canada’s Best Employers and one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity in 2026. For the second consecutive year, Forbes, in partnership with Statista, also named Brock one of Canada’s Top Employers for Company Culture.

At Brock, you will find a welcoming, inclusive community and an exciting range of meaningful career opportunities. Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock. Post End Date: October 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM This job advertisement is to fill an existing vacancy in the Part‑Time Contract Positions (Employee Group).

Gender and Sexual Violence Research Assistant

Student Employment Opportunity:Human Rights and Equity

Anticipated start date:October 12th, 2026 Positions available:1 Hourly rate:$17.95/hour(5-10 hours/week)

Joining the Human Rights and Equity Office

The Gender andSexualViolence(GSV) teamis a part ofBrock’sHuman Rights and Equity (HRE) Office. HREsupportsstudents, staff, and facultyby addressinghuman rights, harassment, and discriminationconcernsthat are connected to the Ontario Human Rights Codeand by promoting equity, inclusion and belonging across campus. We are seeking one Research Assistant to support the Manager of Gender and Sexual Violence Intake in the review of Brock University’s Sexual Violence Policy. The Research Assistant will assist with coordinating focus groups with staff, faculty, and students, including dedicated affinity spaces to support participants in sharing perspectives within communities of shared identity or experience. The role will also involve qualitative data analysis and contributing to the development of a final report summarizing the findings and recommendations. The successful candidate will be offered a60‑hour contract fromOctober2026through December2026. They will beexpected to be available forin‑person program deliveryat the St.Catharines campus of Brock University. The successful candidate will report to and work with theManager of Gender and Sexual Violence Intake. For more information about the HRE office, applicants are encouraged to review theHRE website.

Duties & Responsibilities

Research & Data Collection

Support the Manager of Gender and Sexual Violence Intake in the review of Brock University’s Sexual Violence Policy.

Assist with the planning and coordination of focus groups with students, staff, and faculty to gather feedback and perspectives on the Sexual Violence Policy.

Attend focus groups as a research assistant and take detailed, accurate, and objective notes to document participant feedback, discussion themes, and key insights.

Support affinity‑based focus groups by providing dedicated note‑taking and research support in spaces designed to allow participants with shared identities or experiences to contribute their perspectives.

Assist with the development and organization of research materials, including recruitment materials, discussion guides, participant information, and note‑taking templates.

Support participant recruitment and outreach in collaboration with campus partners, student groups, and underrepresented communities.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Organize and review qualitative data collected through focus groups and other feedback mechanisms.

Assist with identifying key themes, patterns and areas of concern emerging from participant feedback, with attention to diverse and intersectional experiences of gender-based and sexual violence.

Support the development of a comprehensive report summarizing research findings, key themes and recommendations to inform the review and revision of Brock’s Sexual Violence Policy.

Maintain organized and confidential research records in accordance with applicable privacy, ethical, and institutional requirements.

GSV Research & Learning

Review relevant research, policies, and best practices to support the analysis and interpretation of findings.

Contribute to discussions with the Manager of Gender and Sexual Violence Intake regarding emerging themes, research findings, and implications for policy and practice.

Outreach & Engagement

Liaise and collaborate with campus and community partners, student groups, and underrepresented communities to support research participation and engagement.

Develop promotional and recruitment materials to support awareness of the policy review and opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to participate.

Support presentations or other engagement activities related to the policy review and research findings, as appropriate.

Qualifications

Experience

Understanding of gender-based and sexual violence and a commitment to supporting survivors. Commitment to ending sexual violence as demonstrated through previous or current professional, community‑based, or volunteer work is strongly desired. Previous work/volunteer experience in the GSV field is appreciated but not required. Area of academic concentration is not a factor in this hiring.

Eligibility

Must be a current Brock University student as of September2026. Provide a clear Vulnerable Person Police Check upon hiring.

Required Skills

• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Documentation and reporting skills
• Ability to follow protocols for reporting incidents and uphold confidentiality
• Developing educational messaging
• Outreach and engagement skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Time management
• Ability to work in collaboration with a dynamic team and take initiative to lead projects

Please note: this role may involve exposure to sensitive information related to gender-based and sexual violence. Support is available as needed.

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 the2SLGBTQIA+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 [e-mail] 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.

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

Brock University is a comprehensive institution with rich academic programs and world‑class research activity. Located in Ontario’s scenic Niagara region on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, Brock is situated in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. With nearly 600 full‑time faculty members and researchers, Brock's robust academic scope offers more than 70 undergraduate programs and 50 graduate programs in seven dynamic Faculties. The University’s 19,000 students come from across Canada and around the world. Brock’s renowned student experience is enriched by an emphasis on experiential education, as illustrated by community partnerships, volunteerism and one of Ontario's largest and most successful co‑op programs.

Learn more at brocku.ca.