Part-Time Research Assistant (with a focus on qualitative research)

  • Location: Remote or hybrid  
  • Deadline: March 19, 2026 at 11:00 pm

Location: Remote or hybrid
Start Date: As soon as possible
Hours: 15–20 hours per week
Duration: 6–12 months (with possibility of extension)
Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

About the Project

This research project examines racism and other discrimination related factors affecting health workers’ recruitment, retention, advancement to leadership roles, and overall participation in the health system. The study focuses on workers who identify as having experienced discrimination based on being racialized (including African Nova Scotian), immigrant, Acadian or Francophonie, 2SLGBTQIA+, or living with a disability.

Both focus groups and interviews with health workers will be conducted.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled PhD candidate or Postdoctoral Researcher with demonstrated expertise in qualitative data analysis, including thematic analysis, to support the analysis and synthesis of interview and focus group data.

The Research Assistant will collaborate closely with the principal investigator, Dr. Virginia Gunn, School of Nursing, Cape Breton University, NS and two co-investigators leading the qualitative component of this study, Dr. Karen Kennedy, School of Nursing, Cape Breton University and Dr. KelleyAnne Malinen, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax NS. The Research Assistant will also work alongside other members of the research team to support rigorous, equity oriented qualitative research, and ensure activity coordination and timely completion of tasks.

Key Responsibilities

  • Verify interview and focus group transcripts for accuracy and to remove participant identifiers.
  • Conduct qualitative data analysis(primarily thematic analysis) of interview and focus group transcripts related to discrimination experiences affecting health workers’ recruitment, retention, and access to leadership opportunities.
  • Assist with coding framework development, codebook management, coding, and analytic memoing.
  • Support data interpretationwith an intersectional and health equity lens aligned with the project’s goals.
  • Participate in team meetings, contributing to methodological discussions and interpretation of findings.
  • Assist with qualitative results synthesis, including preparing analytic summaries, and sections for reports or manuscripts.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and data securityin accordance with research ethics requirements.
  • Optionally support knowledge mobilization outputs, such as summaries for relevant actors involved, health equity partners, or community collaborators.

Qualifications Required:

  • PhD student (PhD candidate preferred) or Postdoctoral Fellow in a health or social related discipline (Sociology, Public Health, Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, etc.).
  • Demonstrated training and experience in qualitative research and thematic analysis.
  • Experience working with sensitive topics, particularly related to racism, other forms of discrimination, or equity seeking/equity deserving populations.
  • Strong understanding of intersectionality and equity-oriented research approaches.
  • Excellent written communication and organizational skills.
  • Self-directed individual, ability to work independently or part of a team, and meet deadlines.

Preferred:

  • Previous experience coding and analyzing interview/focus group data involving health workersor structural discrimination.
  • Familiarity with NVivo, MAXQDA, Atlas.ti, or other qualitative analysis software.
  • Strong understanding of Canadian health systems and health equity policy.
  • Lived experience within one or more equity seeking groups, while not required, is valued.

How to Apply 

Please submit the following as a single PDF to healthworkerstudy@cbu.ca and copy virginia_gunn@cbu.ca

  • A brief cover letter describing your relevant experience and
  • Curriculum vitae
  • One sample of qualitative research or analysis (e.g., paper, thesis chapter, report excerpt)

Deadline: Applications must be received by 11:00PM on March 19, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

Given the focus of the research work that will be conducted by the Research Assistant, we welcome applications from qualified individuals who identify as racialized (including African Nova Scotian), immigrant, Acadian/Francophonie, 2SLGBTQIA+, or individuals who live with disabilities, as these groups are central to the project’s goals. We strongly encourage equity seeking candidates to self-identify in their application, should they feel comfortable doing so. 

 

Cape Breton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply but applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

CBU is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and applicants are encouraged to self-identity if they are part of a marginalised community, or have experience working with Indigenous communities.

If we contact you for an interview and you are a person with a disability who requires technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance.

 

Cape Breton University

Human Resources Dept.

HumanResources@cbu.ca

1250 Grand Lake Road,

Sydney, NS B1M 1A2