Research Associate (term)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 26,000 - 51,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Toronto seeks a Research Associate to support a research program on policing and community safety. The role requires a PhD in social sciences and a minimum of 2 years of research experience. Responsibilities include literature reviews, data collection and analysis, and preparation of research outputs. Strong statistical and qualitative analysis skills are essential.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years of experience conducting qualitative and statistical research.
• Strong background in political economy and institutions.
• Familiarity with research on contestations over institutional legitimacy.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the intellectual and analytic development of the project.
• Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans on justice institutions.
• Draft and refine research protocols, interview guides, and analytic memos.
• Collect primary data through various methods.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data across jurisdictions.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Qualitative analysis

Excellent writing skills

Project coordination

Time-management skills

Education

PhD in a relevant social science field

Job description

Date Posted: 07/29/2025
Req ID:44535
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Munk Sch Global Affairs & Public Policy
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

About the Global Justice Lab

The Global Justice Lab (GJL ) at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy conducts collaborative, applied multidisciplinary research on justice institutions and public accountability. Located at the University of Toronto, GJL brings together researchers and practitioners to examine how justice systems are organized and contested in times of institutional stress and strain.

Job Summary

The Global Justice Lab invites applications for a Research Associate (limited one year term) at 50% FTE to support a research program on policing and community safety. Projects may be varied, with examples such as school safety and policing, oversight boards and accountability for policing, practices of data management and analytics in justice systems, new forms of expertise for justice issues, or the relationship between operational decisions and well-being among officials and members of the public. The incumbent will contribute to the research design, execution, and dissemination of findings, with a focus on comparative analysis. The successful candidate will report to the lab’s Principal Investigator, take direction from the Senior Research Associate on individual projects and collaborate with other Research Associates, students, and affiliated scholars. Responsibilities

• Contributing to the intellectual and analytic development of the project (e.g., shaping research questions, interpreting findings)
• Conducting literature reviews and environmental scans on justice institutions, programs, and relevant policy contexts
• Drafting and refining research protocols, interview guides, and analytic memos
• Collecting primary data, including:
  • Conducting semi-structured interviews
  • Scraping and analyzing social media content
  • Qualitative analysis of interviews, archival materials, and public documents
  • High-level statistical analysis of data on justice, neighborhoods, budgets, and other dimensions, across time and place
• Analyzing quantitative and qualitative data across jurisdictions and over time
• Examining how institutions (e.g., police, school boards, ministries of education) make claims about jurisdictional authority regarding school safety and discipline
• Preparing research reports and academic publications
• Co-authoring academic and public-facing outputs with the PI
• Supporting knowledge mobilization, including organizing workshops and stakeholder roundtables
• Assisting with the preparation and submission of research ethics applications
• Preparing grant proposals and associated budgets

Qualifications

Education

• PhD in a relevant social science field (e.g., sociology, political science, criminology, public policy)

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years of experience conducting both qualitative and statistical research, including interviews, survey research, and policy analysis in the social science field
• Strong background in political economy and institutions; demonstrated ability to investigate institutional conflicts and jurisdictional claims
• Familiarity with research on contestations over institutional legitimacy
• Demonstrated ability to disseminate research to academic, policy, and community audiences
• Experience managing research independently and in collaborative teams

Skills

• Statistical analysis and qualitative analysis
• Excellent writing skills (for academic publications, research reports, policy briefs)
• Strong project coordination and time-management skills
• Capacity to work across disciplines and methods in a collaborative research environment

Closing Date:08/11/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Appointment Type: Grant - Term
Schedule: Part-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): 53,520 - $100,530 ($26,760 - $50,265 prorated to 50% FTE)
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching