Tutor / Research Assistants
University undergraduate students are required to work as Tutor / Research Assistants at host laboratories in Pinawa, Manitoba. Each University student will assist a scientist or research engineer to set up and work on a research project suitable for the participation of two high school students working on the project.
Qualifications
University students with knowledge, interest and skills in several branches of science or engineering in teaching, coaching or tutoring. Please confirm you have a desired background by checking the Program section of our website prior to submitting an application.
Wage rate: starting rate $13.00 / hour
Employment Period: 16 weeks (May 5 - August 23, 2008)
Application Process
- Submit an Employment Application Form.
- Cameco will be sponsoring a Tutor position with the MSA for the 2008 term. If you are a son or daughter of a Cameco employee, and are interested in applying for a Tutor position, please submit the Cameco Employment Application.
- postmarked by April 10, 2008 (mailing address found on application form)
- faxed or emailed application will not be accepted, although pre-application inquiries are welcome.
- must be submitted in DUPLICATE.
Objectives
The principal objective of the Academy is to provide a deeper insight into the process of research and development to high school students who have an unusual aptitude in science. The Academy attracts talented students - females and males alike - into careers in research by giving them an appreciation for the diverse options in science and technology, and by placing each in a real laboratory / field site to face problems for which no answer is yet known - the very essence of research itself.
A secondary objective is to provide career development through direct teaching and research experience for university-level students - the Academy's tutors. These young people are also attracted into research and teaching careers by their work with the Academy.
The Organization
The Manitoba Science Academy is a non-profit organization operated by volunteer Board of Directors offering a summer research experience with the collaboration of our Research Partners.
Our research projects are carefully selected by the MSA Research Committee based on Project Proposals submitted by potential partners: they are not demonstration projects but the real thing. Upon successful completion of the six-week program, the high school students will receive high school credits. Academy students work in pairs under the close guidance of a tutor and under the supervision of a professional scientist or engineer. The Tutors are university-level science students who act not only as tutors for the high school students but also as research assistants for the participating scientists and engineers. They are hired for 16 weeks, which allows them time to assist their supervisors in developing the projects and preparing them for the Academy's students' participation during the six-week term; they then stay on after the students leave to conclude the projects to their supervisors' satisfaction.
The Tutors are the essential catalysts which make the Academy concept function. By providing research effort as well as taking primary responsibility for the Academy students, they make participation attractive to the scientists and engineers, who voluntarily supervise the projects. By being knowledgeable yet approachable, they also make the Academy students comfortable in what otherwise could be an intimidating environment, and they present an excellent role model for the younger students to emulate.
Co-op students who are offered employment with the MSA will receive recognition for their work and receive post-secondary co-op credits, so please insure you inform your University Co -op office contact of your acceptance.
Tutors will receive an information package following confirmation of employment. This package includes the Tutor Handbook, the tutor's work location, maps, "First-day" instructions as well as information about the Town of Pinawa.
Orientation Meeting
All tutors are required to attend an orientation meeting at the Manitoba Science Academy Office in Pinawa at the beginning of their work term. The purpose of this meeting is to receive information about their first few duties as tutors, address the issues of timesheet and training/certification requirements and payroll and leave of absence protocol.
Tutors who do not possess current Emergency First Aid certification will be provided with training. Tutors working out of labs at Atomic Energy Canada Ltd. Plat site will be required to pass Federal Safety Clearance and receive WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System). Tutors required to access their field site via the Winnipeg River will receive Water Safety Certification.
Tutor Meetings
Tutor meetings will be scheduled approximately every second week. At these meetings the MSA Principal will give you information to help you with your role as a tutor (eg. setting up a personal training plan for your students, evaluating your students, etc.). You will have an opportunity at these meetings to ask questions or request guidance with respect to your duties.
The Projects
Each tutor will be responsible for two (sometimes one) high school students. The Tutor will work under the guidance of the MSA Principal and prepare a learning curriculum based on the objectives of their particular study. This will involve such things as ensuring that the project is at a high school level, writing a project description, and devising a course of study. The first few days with the students could be spent familiarizing them with the project, their surroundings, and any other staff members including your supervisor and the technicians.
Work Term
The work term lasts 16 weeks. usually, he first 7 weeks of the work term consists of performing research assistant duties, working with the project supervisor and preparing the project for he students. The following six weeks tutors will conduct tutor related duties, with the remaining several weeks of the work term completing project details. Tutors are expected to work 37.5 hrs / week. The MSA does not pay out overtime wages. Tutors will be released early from their contracts in lieu of overtime pay. Project Supervisors will approve time sheets, keeping aware that excess overtime accumulation will inevitably interrupt the wrap up of the project at contract termination.
Tutor's will have an opportunity to contact their supervisors prior to their first work day to discuss the details of their job as well as what to wear in the lab (eg. safety glasses, dress code, footwear, etc.).
The Experience
The Tutor/Research Assistant position is a very demanding job - but also very rewarding. Honorary Alumni Tutors have informed us that they acknowledge their experience as a Tutor as an investment in their future.
Selection Process
Tutor applications will be processed as they are received. By mid-April all qualified candidates will be notified if the MSA has referred your application to a specific scientist for consideration. MSA will provide some background on the study selected for you and provide you with the name of the Project Supervisor who will contact you for an interview. The purpose of the interview with the Project Supervisor is to determine whether you possess the skills required to carry out the research component of the position. The Project Supervisor will then inform the MSA Principal of their preferred candidate(s). A follow up interview will be conducted by the MSA Principal, who will determine your suitability as a MSA Tutor. In the event that the Project Supervisor has more than one selection for the position based on scientific knowledge / research qualifications, the final selection will be at the discretion of the MSA Principal.
Accommodations & Meals
Accommodations and meals are the responsibility of the University student. MSA staff members will provide out of town Tutors with a contact list of local accommodations. The MSA will also provide fellow Tutor contact information so you can acquaint yourselves and look for shared accommodation.
Transportation
Vehicle required. Flat rate mileage for work related trips beyond lab/field sites must be negotiated with MSA Business Manager.