Co-op Research Assistant Position
Language and Literacy Lab
Dalhousie University
Position Title: Research Assistant
Faculty/Admin Unit: Faculty of Science
Department: Psychology and Neuroscience
Research Project: Language and Literacy Lab
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Employee Group (GP): Grant-Paid
Position Type: Term
Duration of Contract: January 5th 2026 to April 24th 2026 (16-weeks)
Employment Type: Full Time
Full-time Equivalency (FTE): 1.0
Unit Full-time Hours: 35 hours/week (typically 8:30am – 4pm, Monday – Friday)
Hourly Wage: $20 (+4% vacation).
About the Organization
The Language and Literacy Lab (LLL) at Dalhousie University is an interdisciplinary team of researchers who support a
large-scale research program dedicated to understanding the skills children and adults need to achieve full literacy. You
can learn more about the Lab and our research by visiting our website http://langlabatdal.weebly.com/.
Job Summary
The Research Assistant will support a study on children’s early reading development. In this role, the research assistant
will work with children in schools. This research assistant will report to the Lab Manager, Research Coordinator, and the
Lab Director, and work within a large interdisciplinary team.
Key Responsibilities
• Support the data collection in schools for a longitudinal study on reading development.
• Administer experimental and standardized tasks to children and adults in a variety of settings such as schools and
in the lab.
• Communicate with families, schools, collaborators, and other partners in the research.
• Assist in the development of research tasks.
• Code, enter, clean, and analyze data.
• Disseminate research findings through the creation of infographics, meetings, conference presentations, and
written manuscripts.
Note
The successful applicant will be based primarily in the Language and Literacy Lab at Dalhousie University and
schools across the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Travel to schools, daycare and child-care centers, and other locations, as necessitated by the Language and
Literacy Lab’s research program, across Nova Scotia will be required.
Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus or in schools.
Required Qualifications
• Obtained or actively pursuing an undergraduate degree in Arts or Science with a major or minor in Psychology or
other related degree/diploma/certificate (e.g., Linguistics).
• Excellent academic record as demonstrated by a minimum of 3.7/4.3 cumulative GPA and experience working
with children.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to
build relationships and work effectively with others.
• Excellent judgment and discretion in handling confidential and/or sensitive information. Strong time management
skills and the ability to handle multiple deadlines and concurrent activities.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record, Vulnerable Sector, and Child Abuse Registry checks. Class 5 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 CommunAtlantic (CarShare).
Assets
• Experience working as a research assistant and/or in a school environment, administering experimental and/or
standardized tests, conducting systematic literature reviews, using statistical software (e.g., SPSS), task
programming, and social media management.
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.
Diversity Statement
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity,
inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq),
persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons
with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and all candidates who would
contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.
About the Language and Literacy Lab:
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.
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 Research Coordinator Emma Hak-Kovacs
at langlab@dal.ca and Manager Stef Hartlin at langlabmanager@dal.ca.
Application Deadline:
Applications must be received by the end of day on October 10th, 2025.