Date: Sep 2, 2026
Location: Waterloo, CA
Company: Wilfrid Laurier University
Department: Balsillie School
Job Type: Limited Term
Full-time/Part-time: Part Time ( >910 hrs/year)
Campus: Waterloo
Reports to: Professor Audra Mitchell
Employee Group: Other
Application Deadline: 09/17/2026
Requisition ID: 11658
Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.
Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
This job posting is for a current vacancy.
Important: To apply, please submit:
- A max 5 page CV, including all relevant research experience
- A max 2 page cover letter that clearly explains how you meet the job criteria.
Due to the strong links between corporations developing GenerativeAI and the eugenicist logics this project seeks to work against, we ask that applicants do not use generative AI in producing their application materials. If they choose to do so, applicants and asked to explain precisely and in detail how this technology was used (for instance, to check spelling or shorten a paragraph).
Position Summary
We are hiring a research assistant/associate for the SSHRC Insight Development Grant-funded project “Confronting Contemporary Eugenics: Resistance and Redefinition” led by Dr. Audra Mitchell (Laurier) and Dr. Kelly Fritsch (Carleton).
This position is suitable for early career scholars (advanced doctoral or recent post-doctoral) with significant experience of qualitative research techniques and ethics, in fields such as: science and technology studies (STS); critical disability studies; sociology and anthropology; human geography; social movement studies; gender, sexuality, and trans studies; Indigenous studies; Black studies; and related fields.
This interdisciplinary project examines transformations not only in the tools and techniques of eugenics in contemporary Canada and the USA, but also the ways that communities targeted by these processes are redefining and critically deploying concepts of (anti-)eugenics. These groups and movements include but are not limited to Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, disabled (including d/Deaf, Mad and neurodivergent) and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, incarcerated people and other marginalized groups. Specifically, these communities are mobilizing the language and conceptual frameworks of ‘eugenics’ in ways that explicitly highlight structural, systemic, and eliminative forms of violence. They are re-framing definitions of eugenics that are limited to direct biological interventions, highlighting instead a wide range of processes, norms and interventions that erode the social, cultural and community integrity of targeted groups. Rejecting paradigmatic narratives that cast eugenics as relatively rare, episodic and epiphenomenal to state and society, these communities are redefining eugenics as a foundational, systemic, ongoing and constantly transforming feature of contemporary polities, including the settler colonial states of Canada and the USA.
The project will involve an exploratory scoping and knowledge synthesis review of the multi-disciplinary and multi-media sources of this knowledge (including academic work, social media, the arts, and social movement communications). It will also involve a series of interviews with key informants from academic and community-based networks; and an online speaker series of public talks featuring scholars and community-based knowledge-makers. Its aims are to map out major discursive formations surrounding changes concepts of eugenics and to track patterns of change in how this framework is being used and transformed by those it affects most intensely.
The successful candidate will be responsible for
carrying out a scoping/knowledge synthesis review
planning and undertaking a series of key informant interviews
developing the REB application and implementing its terms
supporting the planning and execution of the speaker series
knowledge mobilization (e.g. co-writing with the PIs, presenting findings at conferences).
The successful candidate will work closely with both Mitchell and Fritsch, and will receive support and training in all of the tasks listed above. It is anticipated that the successful applicant will have the opportunity to present at one or two national or international conferences and co-author project outputs.
Accountabilities
Designing and undertaking a scoping/knowledge synthesis review of multi-disciplinary and multi-media sources related to changing ideas of eugenics
Planning and carrying out interviews with c. 40 key informants (including scheduling and obtaining informed consent
Transcribing interview data using NVivo software and manual adjustments
Preparing and implementing the project’s REB application
Assisting the co-PIs in developing a codebook for analysing the data
Participating in data analysis
Participating in writing-up of outputs, including co-authoring outputs with the co-PIs
Participating in knowledge mobilization through conference participation.
Supporting an MA-level RA in planning the speaker series.
Qualifications
Required:
Holds a MA by research or equivalent; working towards or has recently completed a PHD in relevant disciplines/fields (see above)
Significant experience of conducting interview-based research, including design, planning and regular in-process evaluation of progress.
Has completed rigourous training in qualitative social science methodologies
Has proven experience of effective research management and communication (e.g. regularly communicating progress, deliverables, identifying and communicating problems in advance).
Has proven experience of working effectively in an independent, remote setting.
Advantageous:
Has experience of research in the specific subject areas covered by the project
Has experience of working with community-based key informants and/or has substantial community-based networks related to the subject area.
Hours of Work
This is a Full-time, Limited-term opportunity with an anticipated end date of August 31, 2027.
The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. If the successful candidate is located in a different time zone than the co-PIs, this will be taken into account. When possible, the manager will adjust hours to ensure no more than 8 hours are worked in a week
Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to the likelihood that interviews may need to be scheduled based on the availability of interview participants. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to negotiate when they work their weekly hours, but consistent hours will be expected except in unusual circumstances.
This role is eligible for a remote work arrangement, as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). All arrangements must be approved by the direct manager. In-person attendance for events, as required to meet operational needs, is expected. On occasion, this arrangement may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.
Compensation
$27.81-$44.29 per hour. Considerations for new hire placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job
Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.
Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact People and Culture. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/
Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system.
Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.
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