Research Assistant Position

Project: The Arts Impact Partnership (TAIP) – Environmental Research Cluster Employment Period: January–August 2027 Hours: January–April: 5 hours/week

Summer: 420 hours over 12–16 weeks (flexible scheduling)

Rate of Pay: $26/hour (minus university-required reductions)

Project Overview

We are seeking a Research Assistant to support the Environmental Research Cluster, part of a larger SSHRC-funded Partnership Grant titled The Arts Impact Partnership (TAIP): Understanding the Arts’ Civic Impact in the Data-Driven Economy (www.taip.ca). The position is located in the Education for Sustainability Research Group at Dalhousie University and guided by a team from Dalhousie University, University of Calgary and Toronto Metropolitan University.

Our research explores the environmental impact of the arts in Canada, including both their physical environmental impact and their influence on cultural norms, environmental awareness, attitudes, and behaviours. We seek a Research Assistant who will help with focus groups involving artists and representatives of arts organizations to explore how their understanding of how the arts contribute to environmental sustainability, and to identify indicators for measuring and communicating these contributions. The ultimate goal is to develop a set of indicators that can be used to assess and communicate the environmental impacts of the arts in the Canadian context.

Key Responsibilities

January–April 2027 (5 hours/week)

· Assist with organizing and conducting 8-10 focus groups involving artists, arts organizations, and cultural sector representatives.

· Support data collection, including recording, transcription, and data organization.

· Attend bi-weekly research team meetings and assist with other project activities as needed.

Summer 2027 (420 hours over 12–16 weeks)

· Analyze survey and focus group data, including coding and identifying key themes from focus group discussions.

· Attend bi-weekly research team meetings and assist with other project activities as needed.

· Assist in preparing research reports and an academic journal article.

· Develop creative knowledge mobilization materials, including infographics, Instagram posts, conference presentations, and other accessible, public-facing communications.

Qualifications

We are looking for a motivated and organized graduate student with an interest in environmental sustainability, the arts, and interdisciplinary research. Experience with qualitative research methods, data analysis, descriptive statistics, academic writing, graphic design, and/or social media communications would be an asset. The successful candidate will be required to sign a contract confirming their commitment to completing both the winter and summer components of the position.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and the names and contact information of two references, at least one of whom must be an academic reference. References should be able to speak to the applicant’s relevant skills, experience, and suitability for the position. Please send applications to Laura.Chandler@dal.ca by November 18, 2026.

Environmental Science Teaching Assistants – Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Position: Teaching Assistants (3 at 65 hours), for ENVS 1200: Environmental Challenges (Winter Term 2027)

Department/Location: Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science

Posting Date: October 30, 2026

Closing Date: November 13, 2026

Rate of Pay: According to the CUPE Agreement

Job Description:
Teaching assistants (TAs) will lead undergraduate students in tutorial sessions covering a variety of topics in introductory-level environmental science. Topics include air pollution, climate change, energy resources, urbanization, and human health. The tutorials are designed to be hands-on to provide opportunities for small group activities and discussions. Each TA will lead two 2-hour tutorials per week for approximately 11 weeks and spend time preparing for and grading tutorials assignments. TA will also be responsible for invigilating the midterm and final exam and assisting with grading the exams.

Qualifications/Experience:
Successful applicants must be a senior undergraduate, graduate, or professional student at Dalhousie University in a field related to environmental science/studies or with undergraduate education in a field related to environmental science. TAs must be reliable, energetic, and enthusiastic about the tutorial topics. Experience with basic statistical packages would be an asset. They must also be comfortable in facilitating the learning of undergraduate students. Priority will be given to candidates with previous experience TAing this course.

TAs must be available during at least two tutorial slots. See Timetable for times: https://self-service.dal.ca/BannerExtensibility/customPage/page/dal.stuweb_academicTimetable

Interested applicants should email their resume/CV and cover letter to:
Dr. Caroline Franklin
Department of Earth and Environmental Science
caroline.franklin@dal.ca

All offers of employment are conditional upon sufficient student enrolment in the class and approval by the University.

Non-student, TA assignments are limited to no more than six hundred and fifty hours per term. For clarity, this means TAs cannot work in excess of five (5) TA130 contracts.

If a TA has accepted six hundred and fifty contract hours in a term, they are not able to accept any additional TA, marker or demonstrator hours.

Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity

TEACHING ASSISTANT POSTING
DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY
Halifax, NS B3H 3E2 

Position: Teaching Assistants (3 at 90 hours) for ENVS/SUST 3502: Environmental Problem Solving II/Campus as a Living Lab (Winter Term 2027) 
Department/Location:  Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science
Posting Date: October 30, 2026
Closing Date: November 13, 2026
Rate of Pay: According to the CUPE Agreement

Job Description: The Teaching Assistants (TAs) will be responsible for assisting the Instructor with ENVS/SUST 3502 Environmental Problem Solving II/Campus as a Living Laboratory. In this course, students form groups and identify campus focused sustainability-related research topics to complete during the term, culminating in a final research report and presentation. Primary duties of the TAs include attending weekly classes, meeting with assigned student groups to support research project development and completion, marking student assessments, and meeting regularly with the instructional team to align grading and discuss student progress. 

Qualifications/Experience: Successful applicants should be a graduate or professional student at Dalhousie University and possess a background in environmental science, environmental studies, and/or sustainability. Senior undergraduate students may be considered. The TAs must be reliable, energetic, and committed to supporting student research projects centered around campus sustainability. A scholarly background with quantitative and/or qualitative methods and independent research experience is necessary. In-person class attendance on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:35 – 9:55 am during the Winter 2027 term (Jan-April) is required as well as availability for meetings with the instructional team. Priority will be given to candidates with previous experience TAing this course.  

To apply, please email your cover letter and résumé/CV to Dr. Caroline Franklin (Caroline.Franklin@dal.ca).

All offers of employment are conditional upon sufficient student enrolment in the class and approval by the University. 

Non-student, TA assignments are limited to no more than six hundred and fifty hours per term. For clarity, this means TAs cannot work in excess of five (5) TA130 contracts.

If a TA has accepted six hundred and fifty contract hours in a term, they are not able to accept any additional TA, marker or demonstrator hours.

Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Aboriginal people, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.