Student Research Assistant Positions

Position Information

**Job Title**
- Student Research Assistant Positions (5) for Multiple Centre for Public Safety Applied Research (CPSAR) Projects

**Appointment Type**
- Casual Temporary

**Position Dates**
- October 15, 2025 - June 30, 2026

**Hours per week/FTE**
- Various

**About the Position**

**Position Details**

**Duties & Responsibilities**
- Overall, your duties and responsibilities as a student research assistant on the projects may encompass any or all of the following tasks (in addition to specific duties and responsibilities listed by each project):

- Assist with applied research projects focused on public safety, justice, and community well-being.
- Collaborate with professionals and community partners in policing, corrections, courts, and related sectors.
- Support data collection, analysis, and reporting activities under the guidance of CPSAR researchers.
- Contribute to knowledge mobilization efforts, including presentations, publications, and community outreach.
- Participate in team meetings and interdisciplinary discussions to help shape project direction and outcomes.

**Required Qualifications**

**Skills & Qualifications**
- You are not expected to be fully proficient in all the listed duties and responsibilities at the start of your appointment. This role is designed to support hands-on learning, and you will receive guidance as you develop your applied research skills. However, certain foundational skills are required from the outset. In addition to project-specific qualifications, student research assistants should:

- Have an interest in public safety, social justice, or community-based research.
- Have strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work respectfully across diverse groups.
- Have a basic understanding of research methods and a willingness to learn new tools and techniques.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage time effectively and meet project deadlines.
- Exhibit a commitment to equity, reconciliation, and inclusive practices in research and community engagement.

**Preferred Qualifications**

**Student Research Assistant for Multiple Centre for Public Safety Applied Research (**CPSAR**) Projects - Positions (5)**

**Project #1 Title: Enhancing Interviewing with AI-Powered Public Speaking Tool**

**What You’ll Do**:

- Learn to use the _Yoodli_ platform and understand its features through collaboration with the research team and _Yoodli_ representatives.
- Support the implementation of _Yoodli_ with police applicants, including setup, troubleshooting, and user guidance.
- Assist in collecting and analyzing feedback and performance data to evaluate the tool’s effectiveness.
- Contribute to knowledge sharing through presentations, reports, and community engagement.

**What You’ll Gain**:

- Experience working with cutting-edge AI technology in a real-world research setting.
- Skills in digital literacy, communication coaching, and applied research.
- Opportunities to collaborate with public safety professionals and contribute to improving recruitment practices

**Who Should Apply**:
Current Lethbridge Polytechnic students (or recent graduates) in criminal justice, psychology, communications, digital media, or related programs who are curious about AI, public speaking, and applied research. No prior experience with _Yoodli_ is required. We are looking for someone with a willingness to learn and engage with new technologies.

**Expected hours**:approximately 75 hours (part-time). Weekly hours are flexible

**Hourly rates**:Diploma students - $19/hr; Degree students - $22/hr

**Number of positions**: 1

**Project #2 Title: Exploring Public Safety Careers Through Multi-User Virtual Reality**
- This innovative project uses immersive, multi-user virtual reality (VR) experiences to help youth better understand the roles and responsibilities of public safety professionals. By simulating realistic scenarios in a collaborative VR environment, the project aims to increase awareness, engagement, and interest in public safety careers among youth aged 15-24. The research also explores how VR compares to traditional educational methods in building career knowledge and motivation.

**What You’ll Do**:

- Support the design, development, and testing of immersive VR scenarios focused on public safety roles.
- Assist with data collection and analysis from youth participants, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
- Collaborate with public safety professionals, educators, and community partners to ensure scenarios are authentic and inclusive.
- Contribute to knowledge sharing through presentations, reports, and community engagement activities.

**What You’ll Gain**:

- Hands-on experience in applied research, VR development, and youth engagement.
- Skills in qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration across public safety, education, and technology sectors.
- Mentorship from ex