Research Assistant, Prairie Employer Initiative for Intimate Partner Violence

Mtroyal; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 30,000 - 38,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Mount Royal University invites applications for a part-time Research Assistant position (Prairie Employer Initiative for Intimate Partner Violence). The RA will support environmental scans, literature reviews, and partnership coordination across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. About 125 total hours; flexible work arrangement and training provided.

Preference for MRU students. The role offers hands-on experience in applied social science research, policy analysis, and knowledge mobilization

Qualifications

• Funding for MRU student participation; preference for MRU undergraduates
• Interest in social sciences (e.g., social work, sociology, psychology, political science, public policy)
• Training and guidance provided; no prior research required
• Ability to locate, review, and summarize diverse sources
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Flexibility and initiative in a developing research environment
• Commitment to confidentiality and ethical handling of materials

Responsibilities

• Environmental Scan and Research Synthesis: search literature on IPV, workplace responses, and employer practices
• Identify and compile relevant policies and legislative frameworks across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
• Review and organize evidence on employer responsibilities and accommodations
• Develop annotated bibliographies, evidence summaries, and briefs
• Research Partnership Coordination: assist with meetings and materials
• Research Development and Project Support: help develop materials and identify research questions

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Independent work

Interpersonal communication

information synthesis

Confidentiality

Job description

Research Assistant, Prairie Employer Initiative for Intimate Partner Violence - (4182)

Job Title

Research Assistant, Prairie Employer Initiative for Intimate Partner Violence

Job Type

Flexible

Union

MRSA

Salary Grade

RA Salary Grade (Jul 2026)

RA 2 : Grade 13 ($21.87 - $27.61 per hour)

Hybrid Work

This position is eligible

Position End Date

2/26/2027

Location

About this Position

About the Project

The Research Assistant (RA) will support Ready to Respond: A Prairie Employer Initiativef"or Intimate Partner Violence, a community-engaged research project examining howemployers 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 willcontribute to the foundational research and partnership development activities necessary toadvance the project. Responsibilities will include conducting an environmental scan ofacademic and grey literature, identifying relevant workplace policies and legislative frameworksacross Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, and supporting coordination with researchpartners. There is an estimated 125 hours total available for this role.

This position offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in applied social scienceresearch, policy analysis, community-engaged scholarship, and knowledge mobilization. Wewelcome applicants from a range of academic disciplines who demonstrate strong research,organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. The successful candidate will becurious, self-directed, comfortable learning new things, and able to take initiative in an evolvingresearch 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, workplaceresponses, employer practices, and the impacts of IPV on employment.
• Identify and compile relevant workplace policies, organizational procedures, andlegislative frameworks across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
• Review and organize research evidence related to employer responsibilities, workplaceaccommodations, employee safety, and organizational responses to IPV disclosures.
• Develop annotated bibliographies, evidence summaries, and research briefs to supportthe project’s development.

Research Partnership Coordination

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

Research Development and Project Support

• Assist the Principal Investigator in developing research materials informed by theenvironmental scan and emerging evidence.
• Identify emerging research questions, information gaps, and opportunities tostrengthen 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.

Closing Date: November 10, 2026

About MRU

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. MRU serves approximately 15,782 students, including 11,752 full-time and 4,030 part-time learners. MRU offers 13 bachelor's degrees encompassing 37 majors across faculties such as Arts, Business, Communications, Health, Community & Education, and Science & Technology. With over 74% of its student body drawn from the local area, Mount Royal University primarily serves Calgary and its surrounding region. MRU is a diverse yet close community with over 1,800 employees. Mount Royal provides employees the support they need to lead and advance institutional goals. Learn more about MRU's Academic Plan and Strategic Plan .