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The SFU is a good atmosphere. Hours are good. Crew and management good.. BUT! The wage is low it’s so below the average wage of the “going market rate” it’s quite awful.. there needs to be a wage increase it’s been WAY TO LONG over due.. they have a very hard time keeping people and GOOD people because of this. We are paid so below the industry standards and it’s been like that for 15 years atleast!. And to make matters worse the employees are made to pay for parking.. and every time the workers get a raise of like 2% the parking goes up 2%. (Pay for parking can be understandable but at a lower cost..) So…. It’s no good. But as for the job itself and the work at atmosphere I give that a 9/10 rating in my opinion but for pay 2/10 just sad.. and with the rising cost of living….. yeah…..

Working at Simon Fraser University (SFU) presents a mixed bag of experiences according to various employee reviews. Some employees appreciate the relaxing workdays, helpful colleagues, and excellent benefits like a fully covered pension plan and free education for family members. They report a great work-life balance and express satisfaction with the opportunities for personal and professional growth, planning to continue their careers at SFU until retirement 
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However, other reviews highlight significant challenges, including management issues. Some employees describe the management as lacking the necessary professional experience and skills, which contributes to an overall unprofessional and haphazard work environment. This has led to dissatisfaction among some staff, who would not recommend SFU as a place of work or study 
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I worked as a research assistant in Simon Fraser University while I was pursuing my Master of Public Health. My employment there provided me with many opportunities to grow professionally and to hone my research skills. The environment was very balanced, the hours were structured but yet very flexible, I believe this environment gave me the best work/life balance. The management style was very informal, open door policy which really provided many opportunities for all team members to learn from each other and contribute to the development of the project, this, in my opinion, facilitated the development of a very comprehensive research model.

Working as a Project Manager at SFU has been a deeply rewarding experience. Unlike the high-burnout environment of some private-sector tech firms, SFU values sustainable productivity. The PMO (Project Management Office) is mature, providing clear frameworks while still allowing for autonomy. I’ve had the chance to lead diverse projects—from digital transformation to campus infrastructure—all while feeling supported by a collaborative leadership team. The pension plan and tuition waivers are incredible perks, but the real draw is the community of brilliant, mission-driven colleagues.

small room to grow upward into other roles. Cushy and comfortable. A lot of people are relaxed and chill. I do find it a dynamic workplace since there are a lot of contract roles and anyone within SFU can switch to other faculties/departments within SFU, so it feels like a big club where you're always meeting new SFU staff every 4 months (SFU operates on a trimester system academically). Problems? For sure. Public/Private sector, so a lot of people are just hanging around for retirement. A lot of young people and new staff keeps it fun and fresh, though. 

I am talking about Mountain Campus in Burnaby. If you like great views and sunsets - this place is for you. If you look for relaxed atmosphere and lunch outdoor watching clouds and snowy mountain top - this place is for you. The place is well managed but jobs are few. If you can get one, use this opportunity. Although, the pay/benefits are not that great.

On a typical day I work with teams of professionals in various departments across the university to identify and bridge the gaps between the university systems and instructor needs.  Management is supportive and work culture is good.  However, advancement is limited due to tightening budget constraints.

It’s a fairly good place to work if you start your career or end it. Why? It’s super chill and everyone is supportive, SFU also pays for tuition and career development offered by itself. However, the pay is average and if you like fast-paced environment, innovations and making tangible impact, it’s not the place.

I learned a lot of new experimental techniques and improved my problem solving skills. Everyone I worked with is very hardworking and the work ethic was great. Although it could get stressful with research work, my coworkers were easy to get along with and made it an enjoyable experience.

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is one of Canada’s major public research universities with campuses in Burnaby, Vancouver, and Surrey. As an employer, it is generally considered stable, mission-driven, and supportive of work-life balance, but like many universities it also has bureaucratic processes and funding pressures.

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