Call for Research Assistants – Fall 2022

Multiple RA Positions for Fall 2022 with Critical by Design research team

The Critical By Design interdisciplinary research group is hiring Research Assistants at the Master’s and PhD levels to join our 5-year project on responsible innovation and Critical Design.

**Update 08/22/22: We are also encouraging upper year undergraduate students and international students to apply!

The team’s immediate goal is to establish benchmarks for responsible innovation based on standards of inclusivity, diversity, equity, and attention toward social, psychological, and environmental impacts of technology. Ultimately, the team will create pedagogical tools and resources (workshops, videos, online modules, community portals, etc.) that help tech researchers and professionals integrate ethical considerations more carefully into their workflow.

Students from all faculties are invited to apply as we are seeking to create a diverse student team to complement our cross-disciplinary agenda. Research Assistants will join the team in Year 1 to conduct a review of responsible innovation toolkits and literature, interface with potential stakeholders (faculty, students, tech professionals), identify possible areas for intervention, and begin the process of designing responsible innovation resources. Candidates should demonstrate a passion for responsible innovation and/or critical design theories and methods and must be open to interdisciplinary ways of thinking and working.

Full-time assignments for the 2022/2023 academic year are for two semesters (10 hours/week x 12 weeks/semester) with a salary of $6,848/term(Master’s) or $8,148/term (PhD). Part-time applicants will also be considered and are encouraged to apply. Selected candidates will have an opportunity to extend their position beyond Year 1, based on performance, for up to 5 years. Appropriate compensation for undergraduate applicants can be arranged.

To apply, please submit the following to Professor Marcel O’Gorman (marcel@uwaterloo.ca) by August 27, 2022:

  • a cover letter of maximum 2 pages outlining your reasons for wishing to join the research team, describing any relevant areas of interest and expertise, and stating your academic status (MA/PhD? Year of study?) and program of study(faculty, department,area of specialization),
  • an up-to-date CV
  • any other materials or details that help demonstrate your passion for responsible innovation and/or critical design

The research team is committed to principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and these standards will be followed throughout the hiring process and during the tenure of each student’s assistantship.We will provide training in EDI to students and work to promote a safe, collaborative work environment.