SUMMER EMPLOYMENT: Student Research Assistant Position

  • Location: CBU-Remote
  • Deadline: May 12, 2021 at 5:00 pm

Student Research Assistant Position

Now in it’s third year running, the research project, The Cape Breton Experience of the 1918-1919 Influenza Pandemic, has been awarded a RISE grant for a research assistant.

The work is transcription of early 20th century death records. Some of the records are typewritten, but most are in cursive writing. Transcribed records are entered into a standardized spreadsheet format for later use in the analysis stage. Training will be part of the accumulated work hours in the project. At its core, this is a job in data entry but it is a little more than that because the data are not always legible and clear. Work is entirely done from home and would require a Windows-compatible computer, and a reliable Internet connection. Reports to me and meetings will be done via video conference.

Essential Skills:

  • Familiarity with spreadsheets in Excel
  • Ability to read cursive handwriting
  • Familiarity with URL navigation
  • Diligence and ability to perform data entry with minimal errors
  • Good spelling and ability to read unfamiliar medical words and outdated terminology

Asset Skills:

  • Familiarity with old medical terms
  • Ability to problem solve URL navigation through backdoor URL manipulation
  • Fast typing skills
  • Ability to work unaided once shown tasks

The pay rate is commensurate upon educational level. Even if you are graduating this year, or moving onto grad school, you are still eligible for the position. There is approximately 450 hours of work available and student research assistants are limited to 35 hours per week. This translates to about 13 weeks of work.

*Advanced student – students with a completed undergraduate degree. For example, a Tutor with a B.Ed.

** Graduate student – students are enrolled in a relevant graduate degree at the masters or doctoral level.

If you are interested, please contact joseph_parish@cbu.ca and attach an up-to-date résumé or CV by May 12th, 2021. Top applicants will be contacted shortly thereafter for an interview and testing session starting May 13th, 2021. Work duties will begin the week of May 17th, 2021.