Call for applications: Part-time research assistantship on methodology and the production of knowledge in forced migration contexts 

Working conditions: 
- Part-time (maximum 5-10 hours per week; 160 hours total); April 2012 – March 2013 
- Pay: CDN $25/hour 
- Independent and team work 
- Reporting to: Christina Clark-Kazak, Assistant Professor, International Studies, School of Public and International Affairs, and Centre for Refugee Studies, York University 

Project overview and duties: 
An initiative of the Refugee Research Network (RRN; http://www.refugeeresearch.net/), funded by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, this project involves the establishment of a research cluster on methodology and the production of knowledge in forced migration contexts. The latter poses particular methodological, ethical and epistemological challenges to researchers. Moreover, much forced migration research cuts across different disciplines, thereby providing both opportunities and challenges of inter- and multi-disciplinary research. Finally, most forced migration research takes place within contexts of north-south global politics and/or research “partnerships”. However, only an emerging body of literature exists and to date little networking has occurred within RRN on this issue. 

Working with key faculty members involved in the RRN, the research assistant will be involved in any/all of the following activities: 
- Conducting a literature review and preparing an annotated bibliography; 
- Identifying relevant research projects and researchers; 
- Developing and maintaining databases; 
- Facilitating logistics and communication; 
- Editing and publishing papers presented at the IASFM panel; and, 
- Presenting her/his own research, as applicable. 

Essential qualifications: 
- Full-time, graduate student in migration studies or related field for the full duration of the project; 
- Training in research methodology; 
- Research experience in primary data collection, secondary data analysis, epistemology and/or research ethics, preferably in a forced migration context; 
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; 
- Access to word processing, Skype and internet; 
- Access to academic journal databases and well-resourced library; and, 
- Reliable, organized, self-motivated and able to work both independently and as part of a team. 

Asset qualifications: 
- Reading knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic and/or other prominent languages in forced migration literature; 
- Experience in coordination and network-building; and, 
- Experience in database management. 

Application process: 
Interested candidates should send their application by email to Christina Clark-Kazak ([log in to unmask]) by 5pm EST, February 3rd, 2012. The application must include: 
- A cover letter indicating how the candidate fulfils the requirements of the position; 
- A current curriculum vitae; 
- The names and contact details (email and telephone) of two referees who could comment on the candidate’s suitability for the position (reference letters are not required); and, 
- One writing sample in English: this must be solely authored by the candidate and should demonstrate research and writing skills; a literature review or annotated bibliography undertaken by the candidate is acceptable. 
Files must be in Microsoft Word or PDF. All qualified candidates of any nationality are invited to apply; however, for administrative reasons, in the case of candidates with equal qualifications, preference will be given to students based at a Canadian university. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Note: The material contained in this communication comes to you from the 
Forced Migration Discussion List which is moderated by Forced Migration 
Online, Refugee Studies Centre (RSC), Oxford Department of International 
Development, University of Oxford. It does not necessarily reflect the 
views of the RSC or the University. If you re-print, copy, archive or 
re-post this message please retain this disclaimer. Quotations or 
extracts should include attribution to the original sources.

E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Posting guidelines: http://www.forcedmigration.org/discussion/guidelines
Subscribe/unsubscribe: http://tinyurl.com/fmlist-join-leave
List Archives: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/forced-migration.html
RSS: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?RSS&L=forced-migration
Twitter: http://twitter.com/forcedmigration