Research Assistant

at  Western University

ABOUT WESTERN

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada’s most beautiful campuses.

ABOUT US

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology has the unique mandate at Western University of research and teaching in Microbiology & Immunology. Teaching occurs in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Faculties of Science and Health Sciences and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Research spans key areas of infection and immunity, namely the molecular and cellular biology of microorganisms and viruses as well as the cellular and molecular biology of the immune system.

Education:

• Graduate degree in a relevant area of focu

Experience:

• 1 year of work experience supporting research in a related technical fiel

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Ability to employ a systematic and efficient approach to work
• Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
• Ability to collect and analyze data in an objective manner
• Familiarity with regulations and guidelines governing research
• Familiarity with methods for research design, implementation, and analysis
• Familiarity with experimental design and analysis
• Computer skills with the ability to learn and use software programs
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to document technical informatio

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program funds world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. Each chair is required to produce an EDI Action plan to reduce barriers for entry into their research field. The Research Assistant will work with Dr. Alexandra Levine (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization [EDID] Research Specialist), Dr. Robyn Klein (CERC) and Dr. Claire Harvey (Institutional Research Programs Officer) to achieve the responsibilities outlined below.
The Research Assistant will support the research activities for qualitative and quantitative projects in adherence with ethics protocols and guidelines. The incumbent will handle the day-to-day research duties required for the operation of the laboratory or research centre, and may be a liaison between the research team and study participants. The incumbent will assist in the dissemination of research results arising from these projects, and perform qualitative and quantitative data collection, entry and processing. The Research Assistant may also assist with the preparation of any required documents, coordinate travel, and organize meetings for the research team.
Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate degree in a relevant area of focus

Experience:

• 1 year of work experience supporting research in a related technical field

We encourage applications from candidates with a degree in a medical sciences field, with strong oral and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and strong scholarly writing skills. An understanding of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization and ability to recognize systemic barriers faced by underrepresented groups in the research ecosystem and higher education is ideal but not essential.
We also encourage applications from candidates with lived experience as members of equity-deserving groups, including, but not limited to: individuals who identify as Indigenous, Black, a Person of Colour, a member of the LGBTQAI2S+ community, and persons with disabilities.
The Research Assistant can expect the EDID Research Specialist to provide regular touch-points, formal and informal guidance, support and coaching, as well as performance feedback.

Responsibilities:

• Writing a 4-page literature review, which includes:
• Conducting a comprehensive literature search relating to the current climate and systemic barriers to inclusion within the discipline of neuroimmunology and broader scope of virology and neuroscience, broadly and within the Canadian context;
• Collaboratively with the EDID Research Specialist, incorporate the literature review findings within the context of Western and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (SSMD);
• Organize connections with key partners who support and represent equity-deserving groups across campus, with the EDID Research Specialist’s guidance, identify and discuss opportunities for collaboration;
• Connect with the abovementioned partners, for the opportunity for them to review the CERC EDI Action Plan and ensure it accurately represents their experience and strategic approaches to advancing EDI at Schulich and Western, and identified barriers, truthfully.

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Ability to employ a systematic and efficient approach to work
• Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
• Ability to collect and analyze data in an objective manner
• Familiarity with regulations and guidelines governing research
• Familiarity with methods for research design, implementation, and analysis
• Familiarity with experimental design and analysis
• Computer skills with the ability to learn and use software programs
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to document technical information