Research Associate

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.

The Department of Women's Studies and Feminist Research has recently changed its name to the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (GSWS). This new name better reflects the scope of our curriculum and research interests. It is a long time since the department’s focus was solely on women’s issues, so the name change reflects the development of the department’s research and teaching interests into the areas of gender, including trans and non-binary genders, and sexuality. It will also help students to better understand what the department does and what our courses are about and is more inline with provincial high schools' offerings in Gender Studies. GSWS is a dynamic and interdisciplinary department that focuses on issues of social justice and equality. Our expertise encapsulates a wide array of strengths across feminist theory and various feminist approaches to health studies, media studies, history, globalization and development studies, critical race theory, philosophy, law, writing studies and literature, visual culture, as well as significant work in queer theory and sexuality studies. In our teaching and scholarship, we aim to cultivate engaged, informed, socially conscious citizens, able to constructively address issues of oppression, systemic and institutional disadvantages, and structures of privilege—often invisible—in the local and global society. We provide our students with the analytical and practical tools that enable them to engage critically and responsibly with the world, to interact respectfully with others, and to pursue a variety of career paths.

We are seeking a qualified and motivated Research Associate to contribute to a qualitative research project focused on queer Caribbean experiences of the AIDS crisis. This interdisciplinary project sits at the intersection of Caribbean studies, Black diaspora studies, gender and sexuality studies, and health studies, and it examines the social, cultural, and historical dimensions of the AIDS crisis as experienced by queer Caribbean communities.

The Research Associate will hold a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (such as Caribbean Studies, Black Diaspora Studies, Gender Studies, Health Studies, or a closely aligned field) and have at least three years of experience working in a related academic research environment)Alternatively, a PhD with a minimum of one year of relevant experience will also be considered. The successful candidate will provide intellectual and strategic guidance to the research team, particularly in the development and refinement of qualitative research methodologies suited to this area of inquiry. They will carry out or oversee original and independent research activities, including ethics preparation, data collection, and qualitative data analysis. They will also be responsible for evaluating and interpreting research findings, synthesizing emerging themes, and contributing to the development of theoretical and conceptual frameworks grounded in the project’s focus.

Additional responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, preparing internal and public-facing reports, assisting with the preparation of publications and presentations, and supporting the overall organization and coordination of the project. Familiarity with the ethical dimensions of working with historically marginalized populations, especially queer and Caribbean communities, is essential. Previous experience with community-engaged or decolonial research methodologies will be considered a strong asset.

This position requires a candidate who is highly organized, collaborative, and intellectually engaged, with a demonstrated commitment to equity-informed research practices. The role offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a project that is both historically grounded and politically urgent.

Western offers a broad and exciting variety of part-time and temporary employment opportunities with ample room for job exploration and growth. Within our beautiful campus, you are part of a progressive work environment that promotes work/life balance including access to our state-of-the-art recreation centre. Apply for an opportunity to be part of the Western community and contribute to its success!

While transcripts are not required for the interview, they are mandatory prior to any offer of employment.

To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please complete all relevant sections of the application. In addition, you can choose to supplement your application with a cover letter and current resume.

Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.