Research Analyst (Emerging Technologies)

University of Alberta Students' Union

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Analyst (Emerging Technologies) (RA-ET) reports to the Director of Research and Advocacy (DRA). The RA-ET researches and analyzes emerging technologies to enable informed decision-making, both in terms of internal practices and for the welfare and representation of a student body that holds diverse opinions about emerging technologies. The RA-ET participates in developing AI-based applications that create new capacities for the UASU as it works to improve the student experience. The RA-ET works as part of the Research and Advocacy department, and may work with the UASU's IT, Development, and Governance teams.

Requirements

Must be located in the Edmonton area for the full term of employment.
Must be registered in, or a recent graduate of, a for-credit undergraduate program at the University of Alberta as a domestic student (e.g. a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or student who has been granted refugee status).
International students/recent graduates are not eligible for this role due to federal grant requirements. Individuals awaiting a refugee status ruling, as well as those who hold a temporary visitor visa, youth visa, or work visa, are also ineligible.
Must be 15-30 years of age on June 1st, 2026, due to federal grant requirements.
Coding experience is required, Python experience preferred.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the Google Cloud console (e.g. Cloud Storage, IAM, and quotas) would be a strong asset.
Experience with Google's Vertex AI Platform (now part of the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform) would be a strong asset.
Technical experience with other AI platforms and emerging technologies would be an asset.
Participation in artificial intelligence research at the University of Alberta would be an asset.
Substantive completion of the University of Alberta's Artificial Intelligence Everywhere Certificate, or similar credential, would be an asset.
Substantive completion of Alberta AI Academy or a similar AI literacy program would be an asset.
Experience working with confidential information would be an asset.
Experience engaging with the strategic and social aspects of emerging technologies, including but not limited to student values and use cases, academic integrity, AI use in the post-secondary sector, cognitive offloading/cognitive surrender, workforce implications, and environmental impacts, would be an asset.

Responsibilities

Participate in the development of applications within the Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, or other platforms as assigned, and appropriate documentation.
Provide context and advice to the DRA and executives to support informed decision-making about use of emerging technologies and to improve internal resources.
Conduct research and analysis projects on emerging technologies in aspects such as student values and priorities, model comparison and reliability, evaluation of AI literacy programs, risks to students, frontier technologies, and privacy.
Provide context and advice to the DRA and executives on emerging technologies in post-secondary education, such as evaluation of ongoing or planned initiatives or policies at the University of Alberta.
Provide context and advice on UASU policy and practice related to emerging technologies.