Applications for summer research assistantships now open

The Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy is seeking University of Lethbridge students for two Research Assistant streams:

Stream 1: Prentice Institute Summer Research Assistants.

Stream 2: City Scholars Research Assistants.

For more information about the Prentice Institute see:

https://prenticeinstitute.ca/

For more information about the City Scholars Program see:

https://www.lethbridge.ca/careers/city-scholars/

The successful candidates for both streams will work in a full-time, paid capacity from May 1, 2025, until August 31^st, 2025. Both research streams are designed to provide students with hands-on experience conducting and supporting research projects.

Application deadline: February 10, 2025

The Prentice Institute research assistants will be focused on supporting Institute projects in the areas of migration, ecosystems (from a Social Science perspective), education, human capital, labor, demographic change, rural/urban dynamics and will collaborate with Institute researchers. City Scholars research assistants will work on a combination of projects related to the work of the both the City and Prentice Institute, typically focused on municipal policy and planning.

The City Scholars research assistants will also participate in a special Policy Innovation Lab (PIL) initiative during the month of May. The PIL is structured as an immersive “policy bootcamp” where students synthesize information and perspectives, conduct academic and gray literature research, and co-author a technical and/or academic background report(s)for the City of Lethbridge. The 2025 PIL will be focused on civic culture and commemoration, exploring the ways municipalities use policy to protect, celebrate and conserve tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Up to three Prentice Institute research assistants will be hired.

Up to three City Scholars research assistants will be hired.

General Research Assistant Responsibilities:

• Conducting literature searches and reviews of academic and gray literatures
• Providing copy editing support for manuscripts, working papers, and policy briefs
• Collecting and producing supporting documentation for grant proposals
• Providing research assistance as needed (may include coding, data management, analyses, visualization and reporting)
• Assisting in the research and knowledge mobilization activities of the Institute more generally (may include events, arranging and supporting guest speakers, and community-based outreach)

Position details:

Positions are located on the U of L campus in the Prentice Institute office. It is anticipated that students participating in the PIL may also work from other locations in the City, such as City Hall, during their term. There is no remote or hybrid work option for these positions.

NOTE: At this time, the University of Lethbridge can only employ students with an active Canadian bank account. This position is only open to University of Lethbridge students.

To apply

Submit the following documents in pdf format to [email protected] by February 10, 2025.

• Cover letter
  • Please indicate which research stream you are interested in: the Prentice Institute or the City Scholars. You may indicate an interest in both.
  • If you are applying for the Prentice Institute positions, your cover letter should specifically address your interest in the areas of research of the Institute, and any prior, relevant experiences (e.g., courses, volunteer or paid work experience, lived experience)
  • If you are applying for the City Scholars positions, your cover letter should specifically address your interest in the topic related to the focus of the PIL (culture, commemoration, heritage, policy, reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion), and any prior, relevant experiences (e.g., courses, volunteer or paid work experience, lived experience)
• CV / resume
• Unofficial transcripts
• Names and contact information of two references: one (1) academic, one (1) employment/volunteer.

Position Qualifications

• Enrolled at the University of Lethbridge as an undergraduate, preference for third-year standing or higher
• GPA 3.2 or higher
• Applicants are welcome from any program of study, but preference will be given to those whose academic background aligns with the Prentice Institute areas of research and the theme of the Policy Innovation Lab.
• Preference will be given to students who:
• Have engaged with research, academic, volunteer, or employment opportunities (or who have lived experience) relevant to the areas of research of the Institute and/or the topic of the PIL.
• Self-identify as Indigenous or as members of an equity-deserving community.
• Students who have previously participated in the City Scholars Program or have been part of projects with the City are encouraged to apply and should indicate so in the application.
• Ability to work independently, solid communication skills both verbal and written
• Proficiency in Statistical analysis software (SPSS, Stata) or GIS are considered an asset, but are not required.