Student Research Assistant

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Position: MPP Student Research Assistant

Location: Max Bell School of Public Policy
Supervisor: Mary Bartram, McConnell Visiting Scholar
Start Date: March 1, 2026
End Date: June 30, 2026
Hours: 5 to 10 hours per week
Rate: $25.00/hour

McConnell Visiting Scholar, Dr. Mary Bartram, is seeking 1-2 Research Assistants (RAs) to support a research project that will take stock of the federal mental health transfers to provinces and territories. 

The RA(s) will assist with the following three key areas:

(1) using policy frameworks such as fiscal federalism, historical institutionalism, and health equity to analyze publicly-available policy literature, including provincial and territorial action plans, reports on shared indicators and standards, and analyses from advocacy organizations.

(2) coding  transcripts of interviews with policy and service system leaders with a strong line of sight on the strengths and limitations of the transfers using NVivo15 software.

(3) providing editorial assistance for a series of policy and academic publications on the strengths and limitations of the federal mental health transfers.

Key Responsibilities

• Use policy frameworks to analyze publicly-available policy documents

• Summarize key findings and draft annotated bibliographies.

• Work with research team to thematically code key informant interviews.

• Assist with copyediting and formatting policy and academic papers.

• Perform other research or administrative tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• You must be a current MPP student at the Max Bell School of Public Policy.

• Strong writing and analytical skills.

• Background in health policy, social policy, and/or policy theory.

• Experience with academic research methods (e.g., qualitative research, policy research,  literature reviews).

• Familiarity with NVivo or other qualitative research software is preferred.

• Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.

• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Please submit a CV and brief statement of interest through McGill Workday. Deadline to apply is February 23, 2026.

Hourly Salary:

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This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence,