Research Associate

This position is part of the

Temporary Research Positions (Employee Group)

Brock University is one of Canada’s leading comprehensive universities, a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara, ranked #3 as Canada’s Best Employers and ranked top 10 as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity compiled by Forbes and Statista.

We are an inclusive, welcoming community that offers a wide range of unique career opportunities for those with passion, energy and expertise.

We are looking for team members who want to help us continue to deliver an exceptional student experience, perform impact-driven research and generate life-changing breakthroughs for our world.

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Post End Date : August 30, 2024

August 30, 2024

Opportunity : Research Assistant (RA) position within Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies; Faculty of Applied Health Sciences.

Project title : SOARWell-AiP : Sociotechnical observation and assessment research into wellbeing and aging in place

Supervised by : Dr. Alisa Grigorovich

Salary : $

Hours : 520 hours (10 hours / week)

Start date : September 16, 2024

End date : Sep Aug 30th, 2025 (with the possibility of a 12-month extension)

Closing date for applicants : Open until filled.

Research Summary :

We are looking to recruit a research assistant to support data collection, analysis, and dissemination activities for a longitudinal mixed-methods study exploring the experiences and perspectives of older adults co-adapting with voice-activated virtual assistants (VAVAs;

e,g, Google Assistant, Alexa) to support their aging in place goals. After initial installation of a Google Home Nest Hub in the participants homes, surveys and interviews will be conducted remotely, at multiple time points to measure changes in older adults’ use of VAVAs over time, the impact that co-adaptation has on their use and well-being, and other factors that influence use behaviours and intentions.

This mixed methods project is funded by an SSHRC grant, and the incumbent will work with a team of researchers at Brock University, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Toronto, and Western University.

What you will do :

This will be primarily a remote position with some travel in the GTA and / or Niagara region for data collection.

The research assistant will provide support to the project research associate and researchers team to support data collection, data analysis and dissemination of findings, including some or all the following tasks depending on interest and expertise :

• Recruitment, screening, and enrollment of research participants
• Training and technical support for use of the Google voice-activated virtual assistant (on the Google Nest Hub Max smart speaker)
• Collect and collate survey data
• Conduct semi-structured interviews with research participants
• Code and analyze qualitative interview data
• Create and write knowledge translation outputs for community and academic audiences (, website building and maintenance, lay summaries, abstracts, support the research team with manuscript preparation and submission)
• Edit and proofread documents
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications :

• Doctoral student with strong experience and / or training to conduct qualitative data analysis
• Ability to travel to research participants’ homes for initial installation of the smart speaker
• Proficient in using NVivo or similar qualitative analytical software
• Proficient in Qualtrics and survey methodology, with some familiarity with interpretation of quantitative analyses is an asset
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite
• Excellent written communication skills and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative environment
• Technical expertise and experience using VAVAs is an asset

Please e-mail your job application ( Brief Cover Letter, CV and writing sample (published paper, dissertation sample, or course paper) to the project coordinator Dr. AnneMarie Levy at

Please send any questions you have about the job application or project to Dr. Alisa Grigorovich at

Applicants are required to upload a resume and cover letter as part of the application process.

Brock University is actively committed to diversity and the principles of Employment Equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates.

Women, Aboriginal peoples including those who identify as members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, members of visible minorities and racialized groups, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) persons are encouraged to apply.

We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, as outlined in the Employment Accommodation Policy .

Please advise : to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

It is Brock University’s policy to give consideration to qualified internal applicants.

We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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