MPP Research Assistant — Competition Policy Research

McGill University; Montreal; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 138,000; Part time

Job summary

McGill University, through the Max Bell School of Public Policy, invites applications for a Research Assistant to support a project on Mark Carney’s competition policy views. The RA will organize primary sources, draft literature reviews and source summaries, and help build a coherent chronology across decades of policy thinking.

This role requires careful sourcing and independent work. The successful candidate will have strong English writing skills, be an MPP student, and may leverage

Qualifications

• Strong analytical research and writing skills in English; French is an asset.
• Must be a current MPP student at the Max Bell School.
• Experience with academic databases and citation management is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Review and catalog a substantial collection of primary sources.
• Identify passages related to competition, markets and policy.
• Develop chronology and thematic framework across career stages.
• Conduct supplementary research in economic policy history and public records.
• Prepare source summaries, timelines and bibliographies.
• Assist with fact-checking, citations, and editing of outputs.

Skills

Analytical research

Academic writing

English proficiency

French asset

Tools

Academic databases

Citation management

AI-assisted research tools

Job description

## MPP Research Assistant — Competition Policy ResearchApply: Sherbrooke 680: Part time: Posted Today: JR0000082178**Please refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply.****If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University), do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar).****Applicants must be an MPP student at Max Bell School of Public Policy** **Job Title:** Research Assistant (1 position)**Location:** Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University**Supervisor:** Matthew Chiasson, J.W. McConnell Visiting Scholar**Start Date**: Late October 2026 (as soon as possible)**End Date**: April 30, 2027**Hours:** 2–4 hours per week**Rate:** $25.00/hour ## Project TitleEternal Vigilance, Principled Pragmatism: Mark Carney and Competition Policy (working title) ## Position SummaryMatthew Chiasson, J.W. McConnell Visiting Scholar at the Max Bell School of Public Policy, is seeking one Research Assistant (RA) to support a research project examining Mark Carney’s contributions to, and thinking about, competition policy over approximately four decades. Drawing on an assembled collection of speeches, publications, interviews, testimony, and other primary sources from different stages of Carney’s career, the project aims to trace the evolution and underlying continuity of his views on competition, markets, economic institutions, and the role of government. The RA will help organize and analyze historical source material and produce research notes, source summaries, literature reviews, and other supporting materials for a research project whose ultimate format remains flexible.## Key Responsibilities* Review and systematically catalogue a substantial collection of primary sources, including speeches, interviews, publications, and testimony.* Identify and extract passages relating to competition, market structure, market dynamism, regulation, and the role of the state.* Develop a chronology and thematic framework to trace how the relevant ideas evolved across different career stages.* Conduct supplementary research in academic literature, economic policy history, and relevant public records.* Prepare source summaries, annotated bibliographies, timelines, and short analytical memos.* Help assess themes, tensions, and continuities across the material while distinguishing direct statements from interpretation.* Assist with fact-checking, citation management, and editing of research outputs, as needed.## Qualifications* Strong analytical research and writing skills in English; French is an asset.* Interest in economic policy, intellectual history, political economy, economic thought, public institutions, or competition policy; competition policy knowledge is an asset, not a requirement.* Comfort working with historical and contemporary primary sources and synthesizing large amounts of information.* Careful attention to sourcing, nuance, accuracy, and competing interpretations.* Ability to organize research systematically and work independently.* Experience with academic databases, citation management, and responsible use of AI-supported research tools is an asset.* Must be a current MPP student at the Max Bell School of Public Policy.## Application ProcessPlease submit a CV and brief statement of interest through McGill Workday by **October 21, 2026.****Hourly Salary:**$25.00**Hours per Week:**4 (Part time)**Location:**Sherbrooke 680**Supervisor:**Professor**Position Start Date:**2026-10-26**Position End Date:**2027-04-30**Deadline to Apply:****This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.*****McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].***