Student Research Assistant - #229422

Dr. Cinthya Guzman is seeking two undergraduate students to support an ongoing research project in the history and sociology of sociological thought. The project uses a combination of archival research and computational text analysis to examine how national sociological disciplines construct and present themselves over time, drawing on a large corpus of disciplinary documents spanning more than a century.

The primary responsibilities for these positions are data collection, corpus building, and archival outreach. Assistants will locate, request, and organize historical documents from libraries, archives, and professional associations; verify and clean metadata; and support the preparation of research materials for analysis. No prior experience with computational methods is required — training will be provided.

This position offers valuable research experience for students considering graduate study or careers in research, academia, or policy. Assistants will develop skills in archival research, systematic data management, and cross-national scholarly communication.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Archival and Document Collection:

• Search for and locate historical documents from libraries, institutional repositories, and professional association archives
• Draft and send requests to archives, university libraries, and professional associations in Canada, the United States, and Europe to obtain access to digitized or physical documents
• Track request status and follow up with institutions as needed
• Download, organize, and file documents according to established naming and folder conventions

Data Entry, Verification, and Cleaning:

• Enter and verify bibliographic and descriptive metadata in shared spreadsheets and tracking workbooks
• Cross-check information across multiple sources and flag discrepancies for PI review
• Assist with text cleaning and quality control of digitized documents
• Maintain clear and up-to-date documentation of collection status and outstanding items

Research Support and Collaboration:

• Participate in regular check-in meetings with the PI and project team
• Assist with preparation of supporting research materials as the project develops
• Coordinate with the second RA to ensure consistent workflows and shared documentation

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled UPEI student
• Strong written communication skills, including professional email correspondence
• Careful attention to detail in data entry and document management
• Ability to work independently, manage tasks, and meet deadlines
• Comfort working with spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Senior-level student (3rd or 4th year) in Sociology, Anthropology, History, or a related social science at UPEI
• Experience with library database searching and academic research
• Reading knowledge of French or German is a significant asset
• Familiarity with reference management software (e.g., Zotero) is an asset
• Interest in the history of social science, sociology of knowledge, or science studies

Priority will be given to University of Prince Edward Island students in accordance with Recruitment, Selection, Hiring and Employment Policies and the Procedures manual.