Research Assistant, UPlan, Teaching Innovation and Strategic Initiatives

Job Description

Research Assistant, UPlan, Teaching Innovation and Strategic Initiatives

The purpose of this work is to support the UPlan Operations Team in providing high quality data for the development of a new University strategic plan. Reporting to the UPlan Data Specialist, under the direction of the Interim Associate Provost, Teaching Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, the Research Assistant will help prepare qualitative data collected through stakeholder consultations for university leaders to use in strategic planning discussions.

In the appointment of Research Assistant, your general duties and responsibilities will be supporting the needs of the UPlan Operations Team by assisting in collecting and preparing data from strategic planning consultation activities, including:

• Collecting paper artifacts from consultation activities and digitizing them into clean, usable data sets ready for qualitative analysis processes


• Collecting digital artifacts from online consultation activities (e.g. surveys, online consultation events) and converting them into clean, usable data sets for qualitative analysis processes


• Assisting with qualitative data coding and analysis of collected data


• Contributing to the preparation of materials (reports, presentations, etc.) to support strategic planning discussions and processes

Your general location of work will be the Administration Building – Main USask campus, with possibility of a hybrid work arrangement. You will report to the UPlan Data Specialist.

Required Number of Hours: Casual - up to 20 hours per week during peak periods.

Duration of Employment: 6 Months - March – October 2026 with possibility of extension

Qualifications (Skills and Abilities)

• Experience conducting or assisting with academic or applied research is required


• Experience with qualitative data collection methods (e.g. surveys, interviews, and focus groups) is required


• Experience or familiarity with Microsoft Copilot is required


• Experience with qualitative data coding, including using applicable data analysis software (e.g. NVivo) is strongly preferred


• Relevant scholarly interest in strategic planning, public policy, organizational behavior, postsecondary education, etc. is strongly preferred

You must be registered in a graduate program.

To Apply: Interested applicants must include the following in their application: Cover letter, Resume or curriculum vitae.

Inquiries and applications can be submitted to Jennifer Drennan at jennifer.drennan@usask.ca

Where a graduate student is appointed to this position, it will be in-scope of PSAC.

Department: Teaching Innovation and Strategic Initiatives; Supervisor Job Title: UPlan Data Specialist; Status: Casual; Employment Group: Graduate Students - PSAC; Rate of Pay: Current rates of pay; Posted Date: 2/26/2026; Closing Date: 3/4/2026; Number of Openings: 2; Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines

#LI-DNI

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.

We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.

The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us for assistance.