Research Assistant – Research Affiliate Program (RAP)

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Candidates will be required to complete a test to assess their skills in using statistical software (such as Stata, SPSS, R or SAS) for quantitative analysis. This test will be administered immediately after the interview. Candidates will have 30 minutes to submit their work.

Duties

This position provides excellent opportunities for learning and development by applying academic and research skills to the analysis of social policy issues. The student will work closely with senior researchers in the Social Research Division exploring issues specifically related to Families and Children, Seniors, Caregiving, Income Security, Work and Retirement, and Disability. Additionally, students will assist in the analysis of Statistics Canada survey data and prepare in-depth literature reviews on topics of interest to the Division. The student may also be required to undertake various other tasks assisting senior researchers and the research team more generally.

Work environment

The Social Research Division (SRD) is a policy research unit within the federal government Department of Employment and Social Development (ESDC). SRD is engaged in departmental research and knowledge development activities that focus on a number of key social policy areas such as families and children, disability, income security, work and retirement, seniors, caregiving and social innovation.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 2,000 words (maximum) "indicating how you meet the qualifications for the position including your level of experience with statistical software (Stata, SPSS, R, or SAS) and with survey data."

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education:

Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at an advanced level (one or more years completed) in a graduate program at the Masters or Doctoral level specializing in economics, statistics, mathematics, demography, political science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, public administration, public health, social work or other related social science with an emphasis on quantitative research methods.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
NOTE: Please note that experience could have been acquired through your studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.
o Experience in conducting research projects on social and economic issues that are related to the policy and programs of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
o Experience in collecting, analyzing and interpreting information from data sources (emphasis on quantitative information).
o Experience using statistical software package, such as Stata, SPSS, R, or SAS.
o Experience in conducting literature reviews.
o Experience in writing reports and notes on various research findings and/or on analyses of complex issues.
o Experience using survey databases.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English or French

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
o Knowledge quantitative research methods.
o Knowledge of statistical software packages such as Stata, SPSS, R, or SAS.
o Knowledge of current and emerging socio-economic issues and trends relevant to ESDC’s mandate.

Abilities and Skills:
o Critical and comparative analytical abilities;
o Ability to analyze scientific literature in areas of interest to the division as well as national and international data from various sources;
o Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team context;
o Ability to communicate effectively orally;
o Ability to communicate effectively in writing (covering letter, resume, and course papers will be used to evaluate writing skills).
o Strong organizational skills

Personal Suitability:
o Reliability
o Good interpersonal skills

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Experience:
NOTE: Please note that experience could have been acquired through your studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.
o Experience conducting research related to early childhood and/or child care services (an asset)
o Experience publishing peer reviewed research
o Experience presenting research at conferences or seminars
o Coursework and/or experience related to one or more of the following areas: Families and Children, Seniors, Caregiving, Income Security, Demography, Work and Retirement, Disability and Microsimulation.

Knowledge:
o Knowledge of economic and social issues in Canada and elsewhere.

Operational requirements:
o Research work with survey or administrative data should be done at ESDC’s Research Data Center in Gatineau or at the Federal Research Data Center (FRDC) in Ottawa.
o Willingness to work overtime as required.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Information you must provide

• Your résumé.

• A covering letter (2,000 words maximum) indicating how you meet the qualifications for the position including your level of experience with statistical software (Stata, SPSS, R, or SAS) and with survey data.

• Your transcripts and a list of the courses you are currently taking and/or that you will be taking this academic year.

• Two graduate level course papers in either French or English which will be used to assess your writing abilities.

• The names and contact information of two persons for reference checks, (e.g. professors, previous employers, etc.).

If you are having difficulty inserting the documents required by the process in the suggested box, you can send all of the documents to the resource person.

Applicants will be assessed on the range and depth of coursework and experience in conducting quantitative research as well as critical and comparative analysis in the domain of social science broadly defined. You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position.

Coursework and/or experience related to one or more of Families and Children, Seniors, Caregiving, Income Security, Work and Retirement, and Disability are important assets. This, as well as other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Other information

Hours per week: To be determined

Is travel involved? No

Is shift work required? No

Will travel expenses be reimbursed for candidates to be interviewed? No - telephone interviews only.

Will travel expenses be reimbursed for candidates who are hired? No

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.