Research Assistant - Urban Econometrics

at  Toronto Metropolitan University

Department: Urban Analytics Institute, TRSM
Position supervisor: Dr. Murtaza Haider
Contract length: 6 months
Hours of work per week: 20
Position type: OPSEU Research Assistant
Start date: ASAP
Rate of pay: $21.11/hr minimum, depending on the qualification and relevant experience of the applicant
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.
About the Urban Analytics Institute
The Urban Analytics Institute assists partners with research and in implementing smart technologies, including big data analytics, deep learning, and artificial intelligence. The Institute strives to be a clearinghouse for global best practices for Smart City solutions. The Institute serves as a repository of urban data using state-of-the-art data archiving technologies.
The Institute’s mission is to collaborate with public, private, and non-profit sectors to devise and implement Smart City solutions for urgent urban challenges.
The opportunity
The Urban Analytics Institute at the Ted Rogers School of Management seeks a motivated Research Assistant to support ongoing research projects in housing, transportation, and related areas within urban economics (part-time, 20 hours/week). This position offers the successful candidate the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research that addresses pressing questions in urban development, public policy, and socio-economic analysis. Working closely with our multidisciplinary team, you will help expand our understanding of the forces shaping today’s cities and generate insights to inform future policy interventions.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and Publication Support
• Collaborate with the principal investigators and senior researchers to finalize draft reports and academic manuscripts currently in various stages of development.
• Provide feedback on preliminary findings, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches to strengthen the scholarly output.
• Literature Reviews
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of relevant academic and industry publications focusing on housing, transportation, and urban economics.
• Summarise and synthesize research findings to inform our ongoing projects, ensuring our work remains aligned with current knowledge and best practices.
• Data Analysis and Management
• Analyze existing data sets and update previous analyses using advanced econometric methods, such as instrumental variable regressions, propensity score matching, and treatment effect models.
• Ensure data quality by employing rigorous data cleaning procedures and by documenting all processes and coding steps transparently.
• Methodological Development
• Contribute to selecting and implementing appropriate empirical strategies for causal inference, particularly in econometric analyses.
• Assist in designing new econometric models or adapting existing ones to address evolving research questions within urban economics.
• Collaboration and Communication
• Work in a collaborative manner with faculty, researchers, and other team members, offering regular updates on project milestones and deliverables.
• Present analytical results to internal stakeholders and, on occasion, to external partners, ensuring clarity and accuracy in communicating technical findings.

Qualifications

• Academic Background:
• Graduate-level training in Urban Economics, Econometrics, or a closely related field.
• Technical Expertise:
• Proven experience with advanced econometric techniques, especially causal inference methods (e.g., instrumental variables, propensity score matching, and treatment effects).
• Familiarity with one or more statistical software packages (e.g., R, Stata, Python) for data analysis.
• Research Aptitude:
• Demonstrated ability to conduct literature reviews, synthesize research findings, and produce high-quality written analyses.
• Collaboration and Communication:
• Strong interpersonal skills, including working effectively in a multidisciplinary team setting.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, emphasizing clarity and precision.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following application materials to murtaza.haider@torontomu.ca:

• A cover letter that highlights your interest in the position and relevant experience in urban economics, econometrics, or related fields.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) detailing your academic background, technical skills, and research experience.
• A sample publication illustrating your experience with econometrics and writing style.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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:
• Current employees can contact HR by logging into AskHR to submit a request.
• External candidates who do not have TMU login credentials can contact HR by visiting torontomu.ca/human-resources/askhr/.
• All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

• Research and Publication Support
• Collaborate with the principal investigators and senior researchers to finalize draft reports and academic manuscripts currently in various stages of development.
• Provide feedback on preliminary findings, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches to strengthen the scholarly output.
• Literature Reviews
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of relevant academic and industry publications focusing on housing, transportation, and urban economics.
• Summarise and synthesize research findings to inform our ongoing projects, ensuring our work remains aligned with current knowledge and best practices.
• Data Analysis and Management
• Analyze existing data sets and update previous analyses using advanced econometric methods, such as instrumental variable regressions, propensity score matching, and treatment effect models.
• Ensure data quality by employing rigorous data cleaning procedures and by documenting all processes and coding steps transparently.
• Methodological Development
• Contribute to selecting and implementing appropriate empirical strategies for causal inference, particularly in econometric analyses.
• Assist in designing new econometric models or adapting existing ones to address evolving research questions within urban economics.
• Collaboration and Communication
• Work in a collaborative manner with faculty, researchers, and other team members, offering regular updates on project milestones and deliverables.
• Present analytical results to internal stakeholders and, on occasion, to external partners, ensuring clarity and accuracy in communicating technical findings