Student Research Assistant, History

Douglas College; New Westminster; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Douglas College in New Westminster is seeking a Student Assistant/Student Research Assistant to support primary source archival work in the History Department. You will help build a digital citation database for the doctorial book project and gain training in archival methods.

The role focuses on Zotero database creation and primary source labelling at the Vancouver School of Theology, with flexible hours up to 20 per week across Fall 2025, Winter 2026 and Summer 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience with undergraduate history research is an asset.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Strong problem solving and time management skills.
• Proficient with MS Office 365 (Word).
• Knowledge of Zotero an asset, but not required.
• Knowledge of Dropbox an asset, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Create a Zotero citation database of scholarly secondary sources (academic books and journals).
• Conduct primary source archival research at the Vancouver School of Theology (UBC campus) and label relevant church publications.
• Training will be provided.

Skills

Excellent communication

Time management

Problem solving

Tools

MS Office 365 (Word)

Zotero

Dropbox

Job description

You’re passionate about research and bringing new knowledge to the forefront alongside others who are just as driven as you are in their search for answers. Your curiosity fuels your learning, but where you really shine is your ability to collaborate with diverse groups like students, faculty experts and employees, and community partners.

WHO WE ARE

Do what you love. Be good at it. That’s how Douglas College defines a great career. It’s a philosophy that resonates through our classrooms, our offices and our boardrooms. It inspires our students and drives us to make Douglas College one of BC’s Top Employers. We love what we do. And we’re looking for passionate, motivated people to join us in making one of Canada’s best degree‑granting colleges even better.

Be a part of an institution where everyone is committed to empowering successful students, creating responsive learning environments, fostering social and environmental responsibility, and supporting healthy learning and work environments.

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer the opportunity to do what you do best in an inclusive, collaborative and collegial environment. At Douglas, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work‑life balance, professional growth, and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace.

• Transit-accessible campuses
• Hybrid work arrangements for eligible positions
• Excellent Health and Dental Benefits for eligible positions
• Defined-Benefit Pension Plan for eligible positions
• Professional Development opportunities
• Access to our Fitness Centres and Classes

In this position you will assist Dr. Carling Beninger with primary source archival research duties and the building of a digital citation database related to her book project, “From Assimilation to Reconciliation: The Indigenous‑Church Policies of the Anglican, Presbyterian, and United Churches of Canada, 1946-2015.”

• Creating a Zotero citation database of scholarly secondary sources (academic books and journals
• Conducting primary source archival research at the Vancouver School of Theology, located on the University of British Columbia campus. The research assistant is tasked with going through church newspaper publications to collect (take a picture) and label articles related to the research topic. Training will be provided.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Experience with undergraduate history research an asset
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong problem solving and time management skills
• Proficient with MS Office 365 (Word)
• Knowledge of Zotero an asset, but not required
• Knowledge of Dropbox an asset, but not required

Domestic students must meet ONE of the following criteria, to be eligible to work as a Student Assistant/Student Research Assistant:

• The domestic student must be enrolled in, and maintain, a minimum of one or more (3 credit) courses at Douglas College throughout the work term; OR
• The domestic student must have been enrolled in, and maintained, a minimum of one or more (3 credit) courses at Douglas College in the term immediately preceding the work term and has indicated an intention to enroll at the college in the term immediately following the work term; OR
• The domestic student must be enrolled in, and maintain a minimum of two or more (3 credit) courses at another accredited public post‑secondary institution in B.C. throughout the work term

International students must meet ONE of the following criteria, to be eligible to work as a Student Assistant/Student Research Assistant:

• The international student is enrolled in full‑time studies at Douglas College, throughout the academic year; OR
• The international student, who is not a Douglas College student, but is an international student at another accredited public post‑secondary institution in B.C., has a valid Study Permit that has the notation – “May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186 (F), (V) or (W). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.” Proof of enrollment in full‑time studies from the other post‑secondary institution is required.

An original copy of a Social Insurance Number ( SIN ) and an original Study Permit are required by law before commencing work at Douglas College.

Qualified Douglas College students meeting the above criteria will be given first preference over students of other qualifying institutions.

Additional Information

The position is located at the New Westminster campus. Hours of work: up to a maximum of 20 hours/week. The work terms for this position are:

• 1. Fall 2025: September 2, 2025 – December 15, 2025
  2. Winter 2026: January 5, 2026 – April 24, 2026
  3. Summer 2026: May 4, 2026 – August 16, 2026

This position will be located in the History Department.

If selected for an interview please bring one of the following:

• 1. Proof of enrollment for work term from Douglas College OR
• 2. Proof of enrollment for work term from another post‑secondary institution OR
• 3. Domestic students only: proof of registration for the term immediately preceding the work term and indication of intention to enroll at the college in the term immediately following the work term

Being eligible to work please indicate the work terms you are applying for:

• 1. Fall 2025
• 2. Winter 2026
• 3. Summer 2026

Douglas College is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable learning and working environment. In support of this journey, we welcome all people to apply, including people from groups that are experiencing inequity, including, but not limited, to Indigenous Peoples, racialized or persons of colour, persons with mental or physical disabilities, persons who identify as women, and/or persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and persons of all faith identities, age, marital status, and parental status.