Fellowship Opportunity: Immigrant Insight Scholar
Project Focus: Precarious work, health and return to work in Toronto’s Little Bangladesh
Posting Date: February 18, 2020
Fellowship Application Deadline: March 30, 2020
ABOUT THE IMMIGRANT INSIGHT SCHOLARS INITIATIVE:
The Immigrant Insight Scholars Initiative (IISI) is an initiative led by Access Alliance that provides paid and mentored fellowship opportunity for internationally educated researchers/analysts (e.g., epidemiologists, clinician scientist, qualitative researchers, statisticians, evaluation experts) who have arrived in Canada within the last 7 years. The goal of the fellowship is to enable internationally trained professionals with research background to utilize and strengthen their research skills, and develop the local experience, track record, and professional network needed to transition (bridge) to a successful career as a researchers/analysts in Canada. With structured support from mentors, the Scholars will conduct research, analyze data, write reports, and engage in knowledge translation (KT) activities to fill evidence gaps and inform positive policy/system changes. In addition to mentorship from established researchers, Immigrant Insight Scholars will receive professional development, networking opportunities, and other supports to transition to a successful career as a researcher/analyst in Canada.
ABOUT THIS IIS POSITION
This specific Insight Scholar position is focused on a community based research project to examine how the unique work and social context of Toronto’s Bangladeshi community (e.g. precarious work, language barriers, childcare challenges, lengthy commutes, over-qualification, locality) shapes work injuries and illnesses and post-injury/illness employment (return to work, workforce withdrawal, etc.). The project will explore the impacts of precarious employment on health and productivity at the individual, household and community levels, as well as across generations. The project is led by Dr. Stephanie Premji from McMaster University in collaboration with the South Asian Women’s Rights Organization. It is funded by a partnership grant from Canada’s Social Science and Humanities Research Council.
For this fellowship, we are seeking an internationally educated researcher/analyst with strong qualitative research skills and applied knowledge of community-based participatory action research. The applicant must have critical thinking/analysis ability, effective communication skills, a strong writing track record, and proven coordination and organizational skills. Due to the nature of the project, fluency in written and spoken Bengali is required.
The Immigrant Insight Scholar will be responsible for conducting focus group discussions and interviews, coding and analyzing data, and writing research reports. The Scholar will also be responsible for helping coordinate the project activities and for training and mentoring peer researchers.
This is a full-time fellowship for a one-year period.
STIPEND AND SUPPORT
The Insight Scholar will receive a stipend of $30,000.
The Scholar will be based at Access Alliance and will receive mentored supervision and support from the researchers and senior managers leading the project. The Scholar will also receive professional development, networking and career transition support as part of the fellowship.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Candidates must demonstrate the following:
- Internationally-acquired formal research training
- Proven pre-migration experience (before coming to Canada) of productive use of their research/analyst skills
- Proven track record of applying research and evidence for knowledge translation in areas such as policy development, program planning, quality improvement, and public education
- Community and volunteer contributions in Canada
- Strong track record of writing and effective spoken communication skills
HOW TO APPLY
With “Immigrant Insight Scholar (Precarious Work and Health in Little Bangladesh)” in the subject heading, please send your cover letter and resume to the contact below.
In the cover letter, clearly discuss why you are applying for this position, why and how your skills and experiences fit the requirements, what you hope to contribute and gain in this position.
Candidates are also required to send copies of two published reports. Please ensure that one of the publications/reports is academic type publication (peer reviewed journal publication, book chapter, research report) and the second one is community and/or plain language type publication (e.g. community needs assessment report, program evaluation report, Op-Ed, article in a community newspaper, blog post etc.). In your cover letter, please indicate your role in producing these two publications/reports.
by E-mail: research@accessalliance.ca
by Regular Mail: Selection Committee, Immigrant Insight Scholars
Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services
340 College Street, Suite 500, Toronto, ON, M5T 3A9
No phone calls please, only candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted.
We encourage applications from individuals who reflect the broad diversity of communities we work with, including those from racialized and LGBTQ+ communities. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the selection process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. Access Alliance encourages a scent-free environment. Employees, students, volunteers, and visitors are asked to refrain from wearing fragrances and other scented personal care products (i.e. perfumes, lotions, hairspray, etc.) while at the Centre.
