Language-Literacy-Lab_Dalhousie_Co-op_Job-Description
Position title: Research Assistant
Start/end date: 6-Jan-25 to 25-Apr-25
Hours per week: 35 (typically 8am – 4pm, Monday – Friday)
Hourly wage: $20
Work location: The Language and Literacy Lab (LLL) located in the Psychology and Neuroscience Department in the Life Sciences Centre at Dalhousie University on Alumni Crescent in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The successful co-op applicant will initially work out of the lab at Dalhousie, followed by 10 to 12 weeks of working in schools in the Halifax Regional Municipality and surrounding areas.
Supervisor: Dr. Hélène Deacon (Professor and LLL Director)
Duties:
The successful co-op applicant will join our interdisciplinary team of researchers to support our research designed to understand how children learn to read. This research is designed to ensure that all Canadians achieve the full reading skills they need. The work is impactful because current Statistics Canada data show that 40% of Canadians lack the basic literacy skills needed to fully participate in society. The co-op student will gain core transferable skills that will be valuable for subsequent careers in psychology and/or biology and allied fields (e.g., medicine and social work), as well as for any professional work environment.
Duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Administering experimental and standardized language and literacy tasks to children in a variety of settings such as schools and in the lab.
• Communicating with families, schools, and other partners in our research.
• Assisting in the development of research tasks.
• Programming experimental tasks for computer administration.
• Coding, entering, cleaning, and analyzing data.
• Conducting systematic literature reviews.
• Creating accessible summaries of research findings through infographics, conference presentations, and scientific articles.
• Creating and sharing social media posts related to literacy.
Qualifications:
The successful co-op applicant will have obtained or be actively pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Science with a major or minor in Psychology, Biology, or other related degree/diploma/certificate (e.g., Linguistics, Child and Youth Care, Early Childhood Education, Behavioural Interventions).
Required competencies:
• Previous experience working with children.
• Excellent academic record as demonstrated by a minimum of 3.7/4.3 cumulative GPA on your transcripts.
• Excellent communication, ability to maintain a professional demeanor, possess strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and have a demonstrated ability to build relationships and work proactively and effectively with others.
• A driver’s license and willingness to travel to schools in HRM and rural Nova Scotia as needed (a vehicle is not required as the lab subscribes to CarShare).
• Creative self-starter with a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence.
• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Excellent judgment and discretion in handling confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to handle multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Clear Criminal Record, Vulnerable Sector, and Child Abuse Registry checks.
• It is considered an asset, but not required, to have previous experience working in a school environment, administering experimental and/or standardized tests, conducting systematic literature reviews, and/or using statistical software (e.g., SPSS).
Work term outcomes:
• Skills in collaborating with a wide range of local, national, and international research partners, including schools, community groups, families, and policy makers.
• Knowledge of the skills needed to develop full literacy, which can be applied across allied fields of practice (e.g., social work, psychology, education, medicine).
• Rich competencies in all levels of research including design, piloting, administration of scientific protocols, data collection, data management and analysis, and dissemination.
• Strong skills in research ethics and the handling of confidential information.
• Strong communication skills, including skill in clearly and concisely disseminating complex scientific information to a wide range of audiences.
• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
How to apply:
Email a copy of your CV/resume, transcripts (unofficial copies are fine!), 3 professional and/or academic references, and a brief cover letter describing why you are the best candidate for the position to Dr. Hélène Deacon (Helene.Deacon@dal.ca) and LLL Manager (langlabmanager@dal.ca).
Application deadline date: Applications must be received by October 11th, 2024.
Statement of commitment to diversity and accommodation:
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our customers and communities in which we live and serve. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment/interview process (including alternate formats of materials, or accessible meeting rooms or other accommodation), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.
About us:
Language and Literacy Lab (LLL) Director, Dr. Hélène Deacon, is internationally regarded in the field of reading research, with ongoing collaborations and earned accolades the world over. Dr. Deacon completed her PhD at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, has secured over $16 million in national and international funding, been elected as a Member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada, and been identified as one of the top 2% most-cited scientists the world over (Baas et al., 2021). Dr. Deacon’s direct mentorship of research students focuses on producing high quality research and training outcomes. Her training philosophy is guided by principles of Universal Design for Learning; an evidence-based instructional framework that promotes inclusive and equitable learning opportunities that recognize, respect, and support individual learning differences in diverse learners, enabling the highest
quality training environment for all.
The LLL is a well-resourced research lab that consists of a diverse and well-rounded team of postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students, volunteers, and research staff. The team is supported by a full-time lab manager and is connected with a wonderful group of collaborators across the country and around the world. Team members work in a friendly and collaborative environment that includes weekly lab meetings and social (sometimes adventurous!) outings. The LLL connects outside of the lab to enjoy events like picnics, food truck festivals, coastal hikes, kayaking, ziplining, and cultural events.
The Language and Literacy Lab (https://langlabatdal.weebly.com/;
https://www.facebook.com/LLLDalhousie) is in the Psychology and Neuroscience Department
(https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/psychology_neuroscience.html) of Dalhousie University
(www.dal.ca), which is located in the heart of Halifax.