Opportunities

We’re hiring one UWaterloo undergraduate student to support a joint research project between staff at the Writing and Communication Centre and the Library.  

The project examines the approaches of university professors to navigating their graduate students’ use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools in research and writing projects. The project has been funded by a LITE SEED grant from the Centre for Teaching Excellence. We have interviewed supervisors across several Faculties at the university to identify the following information: 

• The extent to which supervisors allow or encourage graduate students to use generative artificial intelligence tools in research and writing tasks  

• What factors or considerations inform their granting or denying permission to use generative artificial intelligence  

• How supervisors’ confidence and feelings about specific research and writing tasks inform their own use of generative artificial intelligence tools  

• Supervisors’ approach to mentoring students in the use of generative artificial intelligence tools for research and writing tasks 

We are now looking for an undergraduate research assistant to support the next phase of this research project: processing these interviews, turning that information into knowledge, and presenting the information to others. 

This undergraduate research assistant role pays $24/hour (plus 4% vacation pay) for up to 100 hours during the Winter 2026 term. 

As an undergraduate research assistant, you’ll be responsible for: 

• Completing all necessary health, safety and research training (TCPS 2: CORE-2022) 

• Formatting, correcting and verifying the accuracy of automatically generated transcripts by comparing them to interview recordings 

• Searching library databases, books and other sources to identify literature relevant to the research project 

• Tracking search strategies, reading and summarizing secondary sources to support the preparation of a literature review 

• Developing and ensuring the accessibility of PowerPoint slides for research presentations at conferences 

To be an undergraduate research assistant you need to be: 

• Registered as a UWaterloo undergraduate student for the Winter 2026 term

• Available to work approximately 10 hrs/week and meet with the principal investigators via Teams for weekly check-ins and planning meetings

• Experienced with written, verbal, visual, and digital communication  

• Experienced with searching for and identifying appropriate secondary sources, prioritizing their importance, and summarizing them 

• Experienced with using Zotero to manage sources

• Skilled at listening, asking questions, and explaining concepts

• Skilled at managing your time and organizing tasks

To apply for this undergraduate research assistant position: 

By 9am on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, email a single document titled with your name containing the following to Dr. Nadine Fladd, nadine.fladd@uwaterloo.ca:  

• A one-page cover letter. In your letter, please tell us:

  • Your program 

  • Why you’re interested in being a research assistant  

  • How your work and educational experiences have prepared you for this role

•  A résumé or CV detailing your relevant experiences  
• A recent assignment, proposal, or publication as a sample of your research and academic communication skills (written, oral, visual, or digital)  

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in a short online interview on December 22 or 23, 2025. 

If the application process does not meet your access needs, please email Nadine Fladd at nadine.fladd@uwaterloo.ca for alternate application processes. 

The WCC is committed to actively working towards breaking down systemic barriers. We seek applicants who embrace our values of equity, antiracism, and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from those who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including those who identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women, and 2SLGBTQ+. 

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that by accepting this position they would not compromise their enrolment status, visa conditions, or scholarship/award terms. If you are unsure, check with your program coordinator or advisor.