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Research Assistant - School of Early Childhood Studies

Department: School of Early Childhood Studies 
Position supervisor: Thursica Kovinthan Levi
Contract length: 12 weeks
Hours of work per week: 10 hrs/week
Position type: OPSEU Research Assistant
Rate of pay: $32/hour

About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. To learn more about our work environment, colleagues, leaders, students and innovative educational environment, visit www.torontomu.ca, check out @TorontoMet (external link, opens in new window)  and @ECItorontomet (external link, opens in new window)  on X, and visit our LinkedIn company page (external link, opens in new window) .

About the Project 

This Social Science Research Council (SSHRC) Partnership Engage Grant funded project is a partnership between Toronto Metropolitan University and an elementary school in Toronto that examines how arts-based, multimodal storytelling can support literacy engagement, identity, and belonging among students with refugee backgrounds. Working with students who have experienced interruptions to formal education associated with forced migration, researchers and educators will co-design and facilitate a series of collaborative storytelling and arts-based workshops. Students will draw on their languages, cultural knowledge, identities, and experiences to create multimodal texts and share their stories in meaningful ways. The project aims to advance strengths-based approaches to refugee and multilingual literacy education and generate practical resources for educators. 

The opportunity

The PhD Research Assistant will work closely with the Principal Investigator and research team to support the preparation and early implementation of a school-based research project with refugee-background and multilingual students. Responsibilities will include:

  • Assist with research ethics processes, including preparation and revision of ethics documents and research instruments.
  • Conduct and update a targeted literature review related to refugee-background students, literacy, belonging, and arts-based/multimodal storytelling.
  • Support the development and refinement of data collection tools and research protocols.
  • Participate in school visits and relationship-building activities with teachers and students.
  • Assist with the development and facilitation of child-friendly assent activities/workshops.
  • Collaborate with the research team and teachers to co-develop arts-based and multimodal storytelling activities for implementation in Winter 2027.
  • Co-develop a conference proposal related to the project.
  • Attend research team meetings and assist with project coordination, documentation, and preparation for data collection.

Availability requirement: The successful candidate must be available to visit the participating school site in Toronto during weekdays as required for school visits, meetings, and project activities. Public transit/commuting costs associated with required school visits will be reimbursed. Please apply only if you can travel to school sites in Toronto during 9 AM - 4 PM on weekdays. 

Qualifications

  • Currently registered as a doctoral student at an Ontario university. Only doctoral students registered at an Ontario university are eligible to apply; this is a funding requirement. 
  • Academic background in teacher education, education, early childhood studies, or a comparable/related field (applicants from other academic backgrounds with strong and relevant research and teaching experience will also be considered).
  • Experience working in teacher education, K–12 education, early childhood education, or related educational settings.
  • Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in refugee and newcomer education, multilingual learners, literacy education, and/or culturally responsive and asset-based approaches to education.
  • Experience with or interest in qualitative research methods, particularly arts-based, multimodal, or participatory approaches.
  • Experience conducting literature reviews and academic writing.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and collaborative skills and ability to work effectively as part of a research team.
  • Experience working with children, educators, and/or culturally and linguistically diverse communities is an asset.
  • Must be available to visit the participating school site in Toronto during weekdays as required.

How to apply

Please submit a 1) Resume/CV and 2) a brief cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the position, and contact information for one reference to thursica@torontomu.ca, through your institutional email account, by midnight on October 1. Please use the subject line: Research Assistant Application – Refugee Education Project. 

Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

  • We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
  • Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
  • We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please reach out to Human Resources: 
  • All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.