Description
The Student Services Administration Team in the Student Experience and Support is currently seeking a Recurring Part-time Research Assistant.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Student Services, the Research Assistant (SES) will liaise with SES leadership and individual units to collate, analyze and report on a variety of unit-based and institutional data sources required to support key working groups and SES strategic initiatives. Working with large institutional datasets (NSSE, CUSC) in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Analysis, the Research Assistant will identify and report on existing metrics related to the first-year and international student experience and SES evaluation goals. The role will also work alongside unit managers to obtain existing and relevant data to inform strategic work including conducting a focused review of the Thrive Priority Support Program, UCalgary's early alert program.
This position requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, and work collaboratively with student services staff across units as well as the Office of the Registrar, the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Institutional Analysis and Information Technologies. This position is a recurring part-time role and is included in the AUPE Collective Bargaining Unit. Normal working hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, ranging from 20 to 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Data Analysis and Reporting
- Works directly with Chairs of current SES Working Groups to identify necessary and relevant sources of data to support the mandate of each group and co-creates a plan for obtaining, cleaning, analyzing and visualizing data tailored to each working group's needs.
- Liaises with a variety of areas on campus to retrieve relevant sources of institutional data to support data analysis projects including the Office of the Registrar, the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Institutional Analysis and Information Technologies.
- Ensures adherence to privacy and responsible use and storage of all data and reports generated.
- Conducts a focused review of Thrive (Early Alert) system data and engages with gradebook D2L Data Hub to identify trends in gradebook usage in collaboration with the Taylor Institute and collaborates with Information Technologies and Student Success Centre team to recommend system improvements.
- Maintains a current and broad knowledge of developments in the field of data analysis and advises working group chairs on options related to data analysis and presentation.
Collaboration and Support
- Takes an active role in working with others to identify and achieve effective reporting outcomes.
- Facilitates staff's understanding and use of data to support unit initiatives.
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Undergraduate degree in Data Science, Computer Science or Computer Engineering or related field.
- 1-2 years of experience in data analysis including the cleaning, analysis and presentation of large datasets required; experience in data analysis within a postsecondary environment an asset.
- Advanced knowledge of and specific experience with a variety of data organization, analysis and visualization software (Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerBI, and SPSS) required.
- Familiarity with Learning Management Systems and teaching and learning software, such as Desire2Learn required.
- Strong expertise and ability to adapt quickly and adjust to shifting data needs.
- Strong problem-solving skills, sound judgment and decision-making capabilities.
- Excellent interpersonal skills along with an ability to work as effectively independently as collaboratively.
- Thorough understanding of the functionality of large relational databases required; familiarity with PeopleSoft for higher education an asset.
- Accuracy and attention to detail is essential, with the ability to spot errors and inconsistencies in data and reports.
- Ability to approach work tasks with flexibility and effectively manage multiple timelines while remaining positive.
Application Deadline: June 18, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 1.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
