Student Research Assistant, History

Douglas College; New Westminster; Hybrid; Part time

Job summary

A Canadian college is seeking a Student Research Assistant for its History Department. This position involves assisting with archival research and creating a citation database. Candidates should have strong communication skills and experience in history research. The role offers hybrid work options and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Transit-accessible campuses

Professional Development opportunities

Excellent Health and Dental Benefits for eligible positions

Qualifications

• Experience with undergraduate history research is an asset.
• Strong problem-solving and time management skills are needed.
• Knowledge of Zotero and Dropbox are assets, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with primary source archival research duties.
• Create a Zotero citation database of scholarly secondary sources.
• Conduct primary source research at the Vancouver School of Theology.

Skills

Communication skills (written and oral)

Problem solving

Time management

Education

Undergraduate history research experience

Tools

MS Office 365 (Word)

Zotero

Dropbox

Job description

Overview

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.

If this sounds like you, we need your talents! Apply to the Student Research Assistant position, and gain real-world research experience, while creating meaningful career connections.

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

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

• 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

Eligibility requirements

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:

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

This position will be located in the History Department.

Posting and application details

• Posting Number 02635SA
• Position Title Student Research Assistant, History
• Anticipated Start Date 09/01/2025
• End Date
• Needs a Criminal Records Check
• Needs a Criminal Records Check No
• How To Apply
• Open Date 01/02/2024
• Close Date - Open Until Filled

Equity statement 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.

How to apply Click the link at the top of this page to apply directly to this posting. Please include the following:

• Douglas College Student ID number or indicate if you are enrolled in another accredited public post-secondary institution in B.C.
• Domestic or International student status
• Indicate the work terms you are applying for: Winter 2025, OR Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Summer 2026

Supplemental questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you first find out about this employment opportunity?
• Other
• * If you are a current or former student, please enter your student number. (Type N/A if not applicable)
• * If you are not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident, do you currently have a valid Canadian work permit?
• * If you have a valid Canadian work permit, please indicate expiry date and the type of work permit you hold.
• * Being eligible to work please indicate the work terms you are applying for: Fall, Winter, Summer or combination of the above.