Student Research Assistant, Lawfully Owed DNA

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Position Information

Location New Westminster Campus Salary Range
$19.53/hour
The Opportunity
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
• Competitive salaries
• 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

For more benefits information, click here !
WHAT IT TAKES
The Student Researcher will assist in data collection under the supervision of Dr. Dowdeswell. We will be researching offenders who have been identified using DNA found at a crime scene followed by the use of forensic genetic genealogy. We will be collecting publicly available data on the prior criminal histories of the offenders, such as from court records, newspaper archives, and information aggregator sites. We will then collect information on the DNA collection laws then in force. The purpose of this research is to determine whether the perpetrators were lawfully required to provide a DNA sample prior to committing the offence in order to identify gaps in laws authorizing the lawful collection of DNA samples, and to improve justice outcomes for victims of sexual assault.

Responsibilities:

• Collecting and organizing data from court records, archives, and information aggregator sites;
• Undertaking literature reviews including identifying appropriate resources;
• Researching legislation regarding forensic DNA in different jurisdictions in Canada and the United States;
• Searching for court documents and legal files in different jurisdictions;
• Attending research team meetings in person and online;
• Assisting with preparation, publication and dissemination of research data.

To be Successful in this Role You Will Need:

• An understanding of how to conduct legal research and use legal citations;
• An understanding of quantitative research methods in Criminology;
• A familiarity with the legal system;
• A familiarity with the use of forensic DNA in criminal investigations;
• A willingness to research cases involving violence and sexual violence;
• A desire to improve justice outcomes for victims of violent crime and their families.

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; OR
• The domestic student must have been enrolled in, and maintained, a minimum of two or more (3 credit) courses at another accredited public post-secondary institution in B.C. in the term immediately preceding the work term and has indicated an intention to enroll at the institution in the term immediately following 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 term for this position is:

1. Fall 2025: September 2, 2025 - December 15, 2025

Posting Number 02597SA Position Title Student Research Assistant, Lawfully Owed DNA Anticipated Start Date 09/02/2025 End Date 12/15/2025 Needs a Criminal Records Check No

How To Apply

Open Date 08/07/2025 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Maximum Number of References Minimum Number of References 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.
Important Note
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
• Being eligible to work please indicate the work terms you are applying for: (Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 or Summer 2026).

If selected for an interview, please bring one of the following:

• Proof of enrollment for work term from Douglas College OR
• Proof of enrollment for work term from another post-secondary institution OR
• Domestic students only: proof of registration for the term immediately preceding the work term and indication of intention to enroll at the college in the term immediately following the work term OR
• The domestic student must have been enrolled in, and maintained, a minimum of two or more (3 credit) courses at another accredited public post-secondary institution in B.C. in the term immediately preceding the work term and has indicated an intention to enroll at the institution in the term immediately following the work term.