Job Description

NOTE: Students must be approved for the 2025-26 Work-Study program in order to be hired for this position. The Work-Study Student Application form is available online here:
Please include confirmation of your approval to participate in the Work Study Program with your resume.
Research Assistants are normally students, in a University of Winnipeg undergraduate program, employed to assist with tasks related to research. Work is performed within defined guidelines and under supervision of a more senior researcher or faculty member.
Position Overview:
Artificial intelligence (AI) has upended K-12 and higher education. Barely recovered from the pandemic, schools are now grappling with a suite of technologies capable of generating writing, images, video, and music in ways that few teachers have formal training to address. The AI landscape is also rapidly shifting. Each month, new tools gain traction, new data arise about AI use, and new misconceptions take root as teachers attempt to navigate policies that variously ban AI outright, embrace it enthusiastically, or leave AI decision making up to individual teachers. The result is inconsistency and increased risk of pedagogical and ethical errors. Teachers and school systems need support to navigate these challenges at local and policy levels.
Duties:

• The selected candidate will serve as a research assistant for the project, with a focus on gathering and synthesizing relevant AI policy documents ("grey literature") from Manitoba Education, Manitoba school divisions, and other relevant jurisdictions (e.g., comparator documents from other provinces).
• The research assistant will conduct web searches, organize documents into summary tables, and synthesize their contents.
• The position will require some communication with educational stakeholders by email and/or telephone as well as meetings with the research supervisor to support the student's progress.

Qualifications

• The research assistant should have strong organizational skills and an ability to complete work independently.
• Attention to detail and positive communication skills via email and telephone will be required.
• Must have knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and basic website navigation.

• Experience or interest in K-12 education in Manitoba would be an asset, as would experience using AI tools.

Condition(s) of Employment:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Students must be approved for the 2025-26 Work-Study program. Students may be eligible for the Work-Study Program if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Currently an undergraduate or graduate* student (PACE students are currently ineligible);
• Enrolled full-time for the current Fall/Winter session (i.e., at least 18 credit hours or 12 credit hours if registered with Accessibility Services);
• Completed at least 24 credit hours at an undergraduate level at the University (or equivalent);
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0;
• Have demonstrated financial need (shortage between your expenses and resources)**; and
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person or an international student with a valid study permit.

*Graduate students in a joint program may only be eligible if currently registered at UW or whose thesis advisor is a UW Faculty member.
**Zero on all resources fields is deemed an incomplete application. As a full-time student, you are expected to have some form of funding source.
The period of work will be from ASAP - March 31, 2026 and the estimated total hours of work will be 36 hours.
Note: This position is represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada - Research Capacity Unit.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.
The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant's suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.

Skills Required