Graduate Research Assistant - Spatial Data Analyst - Winter 2027

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APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday November 13th, 11:59PM

Academic department: School of Planning

Academic Term: Winter 2027

Location: Waterloo, Ontario

Mode of delivery: In-Person

Appointment Load Available

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QUALIFICATIONS

Educational Requirements

Undergraduate degree in urban planning, civil engineering, or related field. Current enrollment in a graduate program (Master’s) required

Description of Qualifications

• Experience working with Excel required.
• Experience with GIS (ArcGIS Pro or QGIS) required, including joining tabular data to spatial layers and producing finished maps.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis required, including cleaning large datasets and calculating summary statistics.
• Experience with report writing required, including plain-language summaries for non-specialist audiences.
• Experience organising events, workshops or meetings required.
• Experience working in R or Python preferred.
• Experience analysing time-series or sensor data (traffic, transportation or environmental monitoring) preferred.
• Experience working with municipal open data preferred.
• Experience with community-engaged or participatory research preferred.
• Experience with data visualisation or graphic design tools (Tableau, ArcGIS StoryMaps, Canva or Adobe Illustrator) preferred.
• Familiarity with road safety, active transportation, Vision Zero or traffic calming concepts preferred.

Course Specific Requirements

The CIVIC project (Community-centred Infrastructures for Visible and Inclusive Cities) at the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning is hiring a part-time Research Assistant, funded through the University’s Global Futures Fund, to help turn neighbourhood sensor data into evidence residents and the City can act on. Working under Dr. Carrie Mitchell, the Research Assistant will clean and analyse traffic data from privacy-by-design Telraam sensors and street-level noise data in London’s Old South neighbourhood. They will summarize vehicle speeds, traffic volumes by mode and noise levels, then use GIS (ArcGIS Pro or QGIS) to produce clear, accessible maps alongside City of London open data on school zones, speed limits and collisions. The role also includes coordinating a spring 2027 community meeting to share the findings, from booking the venue and inviting residents, partners and City staff to preparing map boards and handouts and summarizing resident feedback. The ideal candidate is a graduate student in planning with solid GIS and data skills, strong organization, and the ability to explain data to non-specialist audiences.

Compensation: $49.14 / hour, plus 4% vacation pay (GRA – Masters)

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Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.