Research Coordinator

Bora Laskin Faculty of Law Thunder Bay Part-time Contract Overview

Professors Speak and Woolnough of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law seek a self-motivated, enthusiastic and skilled research coordinator for the Mino-waabandan Inaakonigewinan (Seeing Law in a Good Way): Indigenous land-based pedagogies, Indigenous legal orders and the mandatory Canadian law school curriculum research project.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action directly address the law school curriculum:

28. We call upon law schools in Canada to require all law students to take a course in Aboriginal people and the law, which includes the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights,Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Since 2015, law schools across Canada have taken a diverse approach to integrating mandatory curriculum for law students in the Juris Doctor program (commonly known as a law degree, the degree requirement that precedes bar exams and licensing by provincial and territorial bar associations). Beginning in 2022, Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law in Thunder Bay, Ontario was the first to implement a mandatory land-based component for incoming first year law students as part of its curriculum related to Indigenous legal orders.

This research project seeks to explore and document the ethics, impacts and potential decolonial effects of the mandatory land-based component through work with the Indigenous teaching team delivering the program and Indigenous and non-Indigenous law students.

Remuneration and salary scale: RFP 4 - $33.40/hour, approximately 30 hours/month. There will be more hours necessary during August-October and January-April and less in other months. Contract is expected to end December 31, 2028 with a flexible start date.

• Applicants should provide short statement of interest along with their CV.

Responsibilities

• Attend Gaa-maada’ooniding (the place where we share together) Law Camp August 2027/2028 (3-6 full days of programming).
• Produce literature review on Indigenous land-based pedagogies and Indigenous legal orders.
• Conduct and analyze interviews with research participants in year 1 and year 2.
• Attend art creation activity with research participants.
• Facilitate or note-take at circles with research participants using Indigenous protocol.

Generic Job Characteristics

• Experimental Design \& Protocol Development: Applies advanced scientific expertise to design, execute, and refine complex experiments; develops new SOPs and optimizes research methodologies.
• Data Analysis \& Scientific Writing: Analyzes data using advanced software, reviews literature, and drafts scientific reports, journal manuscripts, and grant proposals.
• Independent Judgment: Operates autonomously within established protocols, consulting senior researchers or the Principal Investigator primarily on protocol deviations.
• Collaboration \& Project Coordination: Coordinates project plans, facilitates participant focus groups, maintains external research partnerships, and presents findings at conferences.
• Mentorship \& Technical Guidance: Provides technical instruction, protocol advice, and mentorship to junior researchers and students.

Qualifications

Education

• The successful candidate must possess a Masters’ degree in a related field, in particular Indigenous pedagogies, Indigenous research methodologies and/or Indigenous legal orders.

Experience

• Evidence of research experience, preferably in Indigenous issues, including by way of course paper(s), independent research project(s),community-based work, and/or a thesis.
• Academic record that indicates future promise as a scholar.
• Demonstrated interest in Indigenous worldviews, culture and language; experience/background with Indigenous community work and engagement, including “learning on the land,” is considered an asset
• Possess a strong interest in an academic career.

Skills

• Exceptional research, writing and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Highly motivated with strong initiative.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

AI may or may not be used for the screening purposes of this role.

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.

Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343-8010 ext. 8334 or [email protected] to make appropriate arrangements.

Why Lakehead University? Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 30, 2026 - 11:59pm Salary: $33.40 per hour No, not eligible for benefits Contact Information: [email protected] Reference Number: GEN-26-47

Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 30, 2026 - 11:59pm Salary: $33.40 per hour No, not eligible for benefits Contact Information: [email protected] Reference Number: GEN-26-47