Part-Time Research Assistant (with a focus on qualitative research)

Location : Remote or hybrid

Start Date :  As soon as possible

Hours :  15–20 hours per week

Duration :  6–12 months (with possibility of extension)

Compensation :  Commensurate with qualifications and experience

About the Project

This research project examines  racism and other discrimination related factors  affecting health workers’ recruitment, retention, advancement to leadership roles, and overall participation in the health system. The study focuses on workers who identify as having experienced discrimination based on being  racialized (including African Nova Scotian), immigrant, Acadian or Francophonie, 2SLGBTQIA+, or living with a disability .

Both focus groups and interviews with health workers will be conducted.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled  PhD candidate or Postdoctoral Researcher  with demonstrated expertise in  qualitative data analysis , including  thematic analysis , to support the analysis and synthesis of interview and focus group data.

The Research Assistant will collaborate closely with the principal investigator, Dr. Virginia Gunn, School of Nursing, Cape Breton University, NS and two co-investigators leading the qualitative component of this study, Dr. Karen Kennedy, School of Nursing, Cape Breton University and Dr. KelleyAnne Malinen, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax NS. The Research Assistant will also work alongside other members of the research team to support rigorous, equity oriented qualitative research, and ensure activity coordination and timely completion of tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Verify interview and focus group transcripts for accuracy and to remove participant identifiers.
• Conduct qualitative data analysis (primarily thematic analysis) of interview and focus group transcripts related to discrimination experiences affecting health workers’ recruitment, retention, and access to leadership opportunities.
• Assist with  coding framework development , codebook management, coding, and analytic memoing.
• Support  data interpretation with an intersectional and health equity lens aligned with the project’s goals.
• Participate in team meetings, contributing to methodological discussions and interpretation of findings.
• Assist with  qualitative results synthesis , including preparing analytic summaries, and sections for reports or manuscripts.
• Maintain strict  confidentiality and data security in accordance with research ethics requirements.
• Optionally support  knowledge mobilization outputs , such as summaries for relevant actors involved, health equity partners, or community collaborators.

Qualifications   Required :

Preferred :

How to Apply

Please submit the following as a single PDF to

Deadline :   Applications must be received by 11 : 00PM on March 19, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Given the focus of the research work that will be conducted by the Research Assistant, we welcome applications from qualified individuals who identify as racialized (including African Nova Scotian), immigrant, Acadian / Francophonie, 2SLGBTQIA+, or individuals who live with disabilities, as these groups are central to the project’s goals. We strongly encourage equity seeking candidates to self-identify in their application, should they feel comfortable doing so.