Volunteer as a research associate at McMaster’s Research Shop
Student volunteers are needed to work with public, non-profit, and community organizations on research projects over the summer.
Being a research associate is an excellent opportunity to develop and apply your graduate research skills.
Volunteers would be part of a team of McMaster student research associates working with organizations to refine their research questions, then ?prepare rapid research reviews. The reviews are short plain-language reports (10-20 pages).
Deadline to apply: Friday, April 26, 2019
What does a research associate do?
- Work independently and as a member of a small team to produce research products according to set deadlines.
- Attend regular team meetings and schedule meetings with community organizations, as appropriate.
- commit an average of 5 hours per week for 3 to 4 months.
Why volunteer as a research associate?
- Enhance the transferability of your academic research skills by responding to a community-identified question or need.
- Explore possibilities for employment inside and outside the university.
- Make connections with Hamilton community organizations.
- Build your CV, resume and portfolio by co-authoring a research report with teammates and a community partner.
- Learn and practice research methodologies from other academic disciplines, such as survey design and analysis, focus groups, community workshops, interviews, environmental scans.
- Access related training opportunities, such as conducting literature reviews, facilitating focus groups, writing in plain language
- Earn a Certificate or Statement of Professional Learning upon project completion, or request the Research Shop act as a reference.
The Research Shop is also recruiting team leads to coordinate small teams of research associates.
Team lead responsibilities include:
- scheduling and chairing regular team meetings and being available for research team support between meetings by email, phone or Skype;
- developing and managing project work plans (in consultation with the team);
- offering feedback on research associates’ research strategies, written work, and engagements with the community;
- acting as the lead author and editor of a final deliverable;
- communicating regular updates to the Research Coordinator and consulting with the Coordinator for feedback and support as needed.
How to apply for these volunteer opportunities
Send
- a resume and
- up to one page expressing your interest, indicating
- your academic background,? personal strengths and interests,
- what you hope to gain from the experience
to rshop@mcmaster.ca by Friday, April 26, 2019.
Applicants will be invited to attend a volunteer orientation and information session on Friday, May 3, 2:30 to 4pm, at Mills Library.
Upcoming projects
- Evaluating the impacts of pedestrianizing a street in downtown Hamilton on cyclists, motorists, and local businesses
- Evaluating wellness programs for marginalized women on behalf of a local non-profit agency to make recommendations for improvement
- Conducting an environmental scan of mental health and suicide prevention programs in Hamilton to support program development to fill service gaps
- Conducting an equity and inclusion assessment of the Office of Community Engagement to inform an Equity Action Plan
For more information, contact the Research Shop at rshop@mcmaster.ca.
The Research Shop is located in the Office of Community Engagement (Hamilton Hall B103), although most work can be done remotely.
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