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The Faculty of Business, Communiction Studies & Aviation is proud to offer dynamic opportunities for students to engage in exciting research projects alongside esteemed faculty members. As a Research Assistant, students will have the chance to delve into diverse areas of study, contribute to research initiatives, and gain invaluable hands-on experience that will enrich academic journies and career prospects.
Explore our current openings below and embark on a journey of discovery and learning!
About MRU
Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor degrees and 36 majors.
Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis", which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.
Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.
Good life on a small consumption footprint: A cross-country analysis
PROJECT NAME: Good life on a small consumption footprint: A cross-country analysis
FACULTY SUPERVISOR: Anh Thu Nguyen
DISCIPLINE: Marketing
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
This SCORAI-affiliated project examines the conditions that enable “a good life on a small footprint” using a cross-country comparative approach. While high-income societies continue to increase material consumption despite sustainability awareness, many middle- and low-income contexts achieve high wellbeing with lower consumption through social and cultural values. The study draws on secondary data from the World Values Survey, the European Values Study, and country-specific datasets, applying Schwartz’s theory of human values and Inglehart’s theory of value change. Comparative cases span multiple countries. The research assistant will work specifically on the Vietnam case study, contributing to data analysis, literature review, and contextual interpretation.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The undergraduate research assistant will support the Vietnam case study by:
- Assisting with the purchase, cleaning, and integration of the Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey (VHLSS) and Vietnam Environmental Data (VED).
- Conducting preliminary descriptive and comparative analyses of household consumption, wellbeing, and environmental indicators.
- Preparing visualizations, including tables, graphs, and charts summarizing key trends.
- Supporting literature review tasks by locating, summarizing, and organizing related studies and policy reports on socio-cultural values, low-carbon consumption, and wellbeing.
- Assisting in drafting sections of the Vietnam case study manuscript and developing presentation materials for the SCORAI conference in June 2026.
- Assisting in preparing short research summaries or blog-style outputs to communicate findings.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be a current undergraduate student at Mount Royal University (MRU)
- Enrolled in or has completed coursework in business, marketing, psychology, sociology, economics, environmental studies, political science, public policy, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated interest in sustainable consumption, wellbeing, and sustainable development
- Basic experience with quantitative data analysis (e.g., Excel, R, SPSS, or similar) and willingness to learn new datasets.
- Ability to clean, organize, and interpret secondary survey data.
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to summarize academic literature and contribute to research writing. - Experience creating tables, graphs, or other data visualizations.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently while meeting deadlines.
- Previous research, coursework, or methodological training is an asset but not required.
- Familiarity with the Vietnamese language or cultural context is an asset.
SALARY: $18-22 plus 17% benefits
TIMELINE: February 2026 to February 2027
Open until filled.
TO APPLY:
To apply, please submit the following through the posting platform:
- A brief cover letter outlining your interest in the position, relevant coursework or skills, and your availability.
- A current résumé.
- An unofficial MRU transcript.
- The name and contact information of one academic reference.
TBA