Exploring the potential for sustainability in Self-Driving Lab (SDL) processes – Research Assistant (Casual)
Faculty / Division: Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
Department: Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice (ISTEP) (Troost ILead)
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Description
This position is for a research assistant to support the qualitative data collection and analysis of our interdisciplinary, collaborative study exploring how social, economic and environmental parameters are being considered (if at all) by research teams as they engage with self-driving lab (SDL) technology to accelerate the discovery and development of new materials.
This project is funded through the Acceleration Consortium at the University of Toronto, and the position will be part of a research team supervised by Prof. Emily Moore.
Interested candidates should send their CV with the names and contact details of at least two references to Prof. Emily Moore (emilyl.moore@utoronto.ca).
Job Duties
As part of the interdisciplinary research team, you will:
- Analyze transcripts of interviews with SDL researchers in academia and industry, government/ policy makers, environmental NGOs, and others to identify current practices, gaps, and opportunities for sustainable criteria inclusion in material design processes
- Conduct a literature review on group model building (GMB) and system dynamics modelling
- Support development, facilitation, and evaluation of GMB workshops
- Participate in research write-up for submission to academic journal for publication
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in a graduate program with a focus on environmental and/or social sustainability (from any discipline across the humanities, social and applied sciences)
- Demonstrated qualitative research skills (experience with software assisted data analysis preferred – e.g., NVivo)
- Experience facilitating groups with participants from diverse disciplinary backgrounds
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Preference given to candidates with the following knowledge/experience:
- Experience in science communication, policy or education
- Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary research team
- Conceptual familiarity with:
- Systems thinking and systems mapping tools (e.g.,actor network maps, causal loop diagrams)
- Tools for sustainable development (e.g.,life cycle analysis and techno conomic assessment, chemical screening and exposure tools)
| Notes: This is a 3-month, part-time term position with the possibility of renewal. The normal hours of work are up to 10 hours per week. |
- Closing date: 9/13/2024, 11:59PM ET
- Employee Group: Casual
- Appointment Type: Grant – Term
- Schedule: Part-time
- Start Date: September 23, 2024
- Pay Rate: $25-$35/hr
- Job Category: Research Assistant