Research Assistant

Research Assistant

Job Type: Fixed-Term Contract (35 hours/week)
Contract Duration: July 6 – August 28, 2026 (8 weeks - Canada Summer Jobs Position)
Compensation: $18/hour
Work Model: Hybrid (remote work with one day in office per week and required in-person meetings, events, and occasional travel within the GTA)

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada and meet Canada Summer Jobs eligibility requirements.
Travel Requirements: Occasional local travel may be required to support outreach activities, consultations, workshops, and event coordination. Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with CASSA policies.

Reporting to: Research Lead

Application Requirements: Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interest in health equity, community engagement, research, and event planning. Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM (ET) on [June 22, 2026].

Organizational Overview

The Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) is a social justice registered charitable organization serving South Asian communities across Canada through advocacy, research, capacity building, policy development, and training. CASSA is an umbrella organization of more than 120 member agencies serving diverse South Asian communities.

Our work focuses on marginalized, underprivileged, and disenfranchised populations including women, youth, seniors, newcomers, low-income communities, people with disabilities.

CASSA understands and embraces the diversity of the South Asian diaspora and approaches all work through the lenses of community empowerment, racial equity, gender equity, and anti-oppression.

Research Projects

CASSA is seeking a Research Assistant to support two community-based research initiatives that center the experiences and priorities of South Asian communities across Canada.

Discrimination and Prejudice Experienced by LGBTQIA+ South Asians when Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare in Canada

This national research project examines the discrimination, prejudice, and systemic barriers experienced by South Asian LGBTQIA+ individuals when accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare services across Canada. The project aims to better understand lived experiences, identify gaps in service delivery, and contribute to recommendations that promote culturally responsive, inclusive, and equitable healthcare practices.

South Asian Community Brief

This project will develop a comprehensive evidence base to support strategic planning and community investment initiatives focused on South Asian communities across the Greater Toronto Area. The research will explore socio-demographic trends, community priorities, and systemic barriers related to healthcare, housing, employment, education, arts and culture, and community wellbeing.

The Research Assistant will support research activities across both projects, including literature reviews, participant recruitment, data collection, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and knowledge mobilization.

Job Responsibilities

Research and Data Collection

• Conduct literature reviews, environmental scans, and background research related to both projects.
• Assist with the development of surveys, focus group guides, consultation materials, and research tools.
• Support participant recruitment and outreach activities across diverse South Asian communities.
• Assist with scheduling and coordinating focus groups, interviews, and stakeholder consultations.
• Support qualitative and quantitative data collection activities.
• Organize and maintain research records, participant databases, and project documentation.
• Take detailed notes during consultations, focus groups, and stakeholder meetings.

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Assist with outreach to community organizations, service providers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community members.
• Support engagement with South Asian LGBTQIA+ communities and community stakeholders across Canada.
• Help build and maintain relationships with project partners and collaborators.
• Assist with participant communications and follow-up activities.

Data Analysis and Knowledge Mobilization

• Support qualitative data coding, thematic analysis, and synthesis of findings.
• Assist with data entry, cleaning, and organization.
• Contribute to the preparation of research reports, briefing notes, presentations, and community summaries.
• Support the development of accessible knowledge mobilization materials, including fact sheets, infographics, and presentation slides.
• Assist with preparing materials for public presentations, community consultations, and knowledge-sharing events.

Communications Support

• Assist with creating content for social media, newsletters, websites, and project outreach materials.
• Support the promotion of research activities and community engagement opportunities.
• Help disseminate project findings to community partners and stakeholders.

General Duties

• Participate in project meetings and planning activities.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical research practices.
• Collaborate with staff, volunteers, researchers, and community partners.
• Other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope of the role and project objectives.

Key Qualifications

Required

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a post-secondary program in Public Health, Sociology, Social Work, Health Studies, Gender Studies, Political Science, Community Development, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in community-based research, social justice, public policy, health equity, or community development.
• Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.

Assets

• Experience supporting research projects, including literature reviews, surveys, interviews, focus groups, or data analysis.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Familiarity with LGBTQIA+ issues, sexual and reproductive health, health equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression frameworks.
• Experience working with South Asian, newcomer, racialized, or 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
• Experience creating reports, presentations, infographics, or research summaries.
• Knowledge of Canva, survey platforms, or data management software.
• Ability to speak one or more South Asian languages is considered an asset.
  

What You Will Gain

Through this position, the successful candidate will gain practical experience in:

• Community-based and participatory research
• Qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Stakeholder engagement and community consultations
• Health equity and sexual and reproductive health research
• Data collection, analysis, and knowledge mobilization
• Report writing and research communications
• Public policy and systems change initiatives
• Working within a national social justice and community-based organization

The successful candidate will receive ongoing mentorship, professional development opportunities, and hands-on experience working on research projects with national and regional impact.

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM (ET) on [June 22, 2026]. Please use .docx, .xlsx or .pdf file types. Email applications will not be accepted. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: CASSA is committed to the principles of employment equity. We actively seek submissions from racialized and Indigenous communities with demonstrated skills and knowledge to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in a non-profit organization. As an organization that is committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression, our work is strengthened by the input of people who have faced systemic barriers and who carry the knowledge of lived experience.

We encourage applications from individuals with lived experience relevant to the communities we serve.