Research Assistant - Werklund School of Education

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

The Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary is seeking a Research Assistant for a fixed-term, part-time role of approximately five months with possible extension based on grant funding. You will recruit participants, conduct in-lab and online sessions, and manage study records as part of a team studying how young children learn from digital media.

The role involves coordinating sessions with families, conducting child-centered behavioral activities, and supporting data entry

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, neuroscience, health sciences, cognitive science, or related field.
• Previous experience recruiting, screening, and consenting research participants, or collecting data from them.
• Clearance to work with vulnerable populations (police information check), or willingness to obtain it before starting.
• Strong organizational and communication skills (oral and written), and comfort working with children and parents.
• Flexibility to occasionally schedule sessions outside regular hours, such as evenings or weekends, to accommodate families.
• A valid Class 5 driver’s license with good driving record (abstract required).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate participant recruitment: approach families in person and online, screen for eligibility, obtain consent, and schedule sessions.
• Run in-person behavioural sessions with children in the lab and at community sites, and online sessions over Zoom, following established lab protocols.
• Prepare and maintain participant study records and documentation, including members' clearance to work with children.
• Enter, organize, and maintain data in the lab's participant and study databases.
• Help guide undergraduate research assistants during sessions.
• Support a healthy workplace that embraces diversity, encourages teamwork, and complies with all applicable University of Calgary policies.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Excellent written and verbal skills

Experience recruiting participants

Data collection experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, neuroscience, health sciences, cognitive science, or related field

Tools

Qualtrics

Job description

Description

The Werklund School of Education invites applications for a Research Assistant. This Fixed Term Recurring Part-timeposition is for approximately 5 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The research team studies how young children learn from digital media and technology, including the attention and reasoning processes involved, and designs media features that support early learning in areas such as vocabulary, math, and science. The coordinator runs day-to-day recruitment and data collection for our studies of young children and their families. Work takes place in the lab, at community sites such as preschools, libraries, and museums, and online. This position reports to the Principal Investigator.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate participant recruitment: approach families in person and online, screen for eligibility, obtain consent, and schedule sessions.


• Run in-person behavioural sessions with children in the lab and at community sites, and online sessions over Zoom, following established lab protocols.


• Prepare and maintain participant study records and documentation, including members' clearance to work with children.


• Enter, organize, and maintain data in the lab's participant and study databases.


• Help guide undergraduate research assistants during sessions.


• Support a healthy workplace that embraces diversity, encourages teamwork, and complies with all applicable University of Calgary policies.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, education, neuroscience, health sciences, cognitive science, or a related field.


• Previous experience recruiting, screening, and consenting research participants, or collecting data from them.


• Clearance to work with vulnerable populations (police information check), or willingness to obtain it before starting.


• Strong organizational and communication skills (oral and written), and comfort working with children and parents.


• Flexibility to occasionally schedule sessions outside regular hours, such as evenings or weekends, to accommodate families.


• A valid Class 5 driver¿s license (cannot be a graduated license) with proven good driving record (abstract required).

Assets

• Experience in a developmental or child research lab.


• Experience with online data collection platforms (e.g., Qualtrics).


• Completed coursework in research methods.

Application Deadline: December 10, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist / Advisor Job Family, Phase 1.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([e-mail]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.