Graduate Research Assistant - Sites of Blackness and Freedom - Winter 2027

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APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday November 24th, 11:59PM

Appointment Type: Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
Hiring Unit: Theatre and Performance
Description: Sites of Blackness and Freedom

Mode of Delivery: Online

The department of Theatre and Performance invites applications for Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) appointment.

Educational Requirements:

·       Must be a full-time PhD student enrolled in a graduate program at a university in Canada.

·       Must possess TCPS 2 Core Ethics Certification

Qualifications

·       The selected candidate should be a PhD student with excellent academic research and writing skill who have completed some course work. They should have conducted research related to the research program (ie. Black Studies, Performance Studies, Cultural Studies) and/or in disciplines related to the research program (ie. Gender Studies, Queer Studies, Anthropology, History). They should also have the ability to communicate findings, events, and/or experiences in various mediums to different audiences (academic, general public).

·       The following experiences are highly desired assets that should be noted in the CV: video, photo, and/or sound editing experience; website development and/or design experience with attention to user experience; ability to manage and make content for digital platforms (TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Facebook & Kit); and experience with MS Office (ie. Teams, Outlook Calendar, Word, Excel etc.).

Please submit a CV and a 10–12-page writing sample excluding work cited section (course assignments accepted).    

Course Specific Requirements

The PhD Research Assistant will work directly the PI and other project team members on the following key responsibilities:

·       Consolidate existing field materials generated through research site visits. These materials include photographs, institutional documents, event programs, media coverage, and archival materials.

·       Catalogue field materials and develop metadata protocols to support cross-site analysis

·       Create a comprehensive searchable research database organized by site, chronology, and thematic focus.

·       Integrate existing annotated bibliography into database

·       Assist PI with close readings of cultural practices, artistic works, public events, commemorative activities, and educational programming documented through site visits

·       Assist PI with analyzing and synthesizing existing research findings across three thematic areas: expressions of Blackness and freedom; imagined futures and visions of liberation; and the conditions that make these expressions possible. 

·       Assist in the development of a conceptual framework that brings findings from multiple international sites of black expressive culture into dialogue.

·       Identify and write content for dissemination online to academic and non-academic audiences (newsletter, website etc.) based on the project’s existing materials, literature reviews and annotated bibliography.

·       General administrative duties including:

o   Attend synchronous virtual meetings with research team

o   Track tasks in the research project MS TEAMS channel

o   Update PI weekly on work progress

Compensation: $58.46 / hour, plus 4% vacation pay (GRA – Doctoral)

These appointments are based out of Ontario and are governed by the terms and conditions of the Collective Agreement between the University of Waterloo and CUPE Local 5524, Unit 1.

How to Apply

To be considered for available appointments, you must submit a single application through this posting by the application deadline listed above. Your application must include your current and previous degrees, a description of previous TA, Research Assistant (RA), or other relevant work experience, and your skills and competencies related to TA or RA work.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.