Graduate Research Project Assistant

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AI-Assisted Translation and Pedagogical Resource Development

Teaching and Academic Programs (TAP) at McGill University is seeking graduate students to contribute to a research and development project exploring the use of generative AI to translate francophone scholarly work and transform it into accessible, anglophone instructor-facing teaching resources.

A central goal of the project is to broaden the perspectives available to English-speaking instructors and students in Quebec (and in Canada more broadly) by making scholarship about AI from outside the established Anglo-American sphere of knowledge production more accessible, particularly the work of francophone scholars which may offer alternative perspectives on artificial intelligence and its social, cultural, and educational implications.

The project will develop a collection of translated scholarly articles accompanied by study guides, teaching activities, handouts, presentation slides, and other resources designed to help instructors integrate the materials into their courses. Candidates will also contribute to documenting and evaluating the AI-assisted translation and pedagogical adaptation workflow.

Position Details

• Duration: January 4, 2026 to April 30, 2027
• Hours: Up to 15 hours per week
• Location: Primarily remote, with occasional meetings or activities on campus
• Hourly rate:
  • Master’s student: approximately $20/hour + 4% vacation indemnity;
  • PhD student: approximately $23/hour + 4% vacation indemnity
• Hiring unit: Teaching and Academic Programs

MANDATE

Working with the team lead and using an established prototype and production workflow, the Candidate will identify suitable articles, conduct AI-assisted translation, and produce pedagogical adaptations of scholarly articles for practical use in the classroom.

The work will involve using generative AI tools critically and systematically, reviewing and improving translations, and developing supporting instructional resources that help instructors engage students with the ideas presented in the articles. Project assistants will also document their workflow and provide feedback that will help refine the project's methodology, templates, and quality standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify suitable articles from among francophone scholarship, using mostly, but not restricted to, sources from Quebec;
• Use generative AI tools to produce French/English translations of selected scholarly articles, then review, edit, and improve texts for accuracy, readability, terminology, tone, and fidelity to the original text;
• Maintain documentation of prompts, workflows, revisions, and approximate production time;
• Develop concise instructor-facing study guides based on established project templates;
• Apply project guidelines and quality criteria consistently across assigned materials;
• Participate in regular project meetings and internal review checkpoints;
• Review materials produced by other members of the project team and contribute to quality assurance;
• Provide feedback on the effectiveness and limitations of the project's AI-assisted workflow.

PROFILE

The ideal candidate will combine strong academic reading and writing abilities with an interest in teaching, learning, translation, and emerging technologies.

Candidates should have:

• Advanced proficiency in both English and French, including strong written communication skills;
• Strong academic reading, writing, editing, and synthesis skills;
• Ability to understand scholarly texts and communicate complex ideas clearly to non-specialist audiences;
• Knowledge of instructional design, pedagogy, educational technology, or teaching and learning in higher education;
• Familiarity with generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, or similar systems; Particularly, familiarity with their shortcomings, redundancies, and tendency for circular regurgitation.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify problems of meaning, terminology, tone, and accuracy;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint or comparable applications;
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; Ability to manage several related deliverables and meet agreed-upon deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with a project team;

Considered an asset

• Academic background in Educational Technology, Education, Instructional Design, Translation, Linguistics, Communication, Information Studies, or a related field;
• Experience developing instructional materials for university-level learners;
• Experience working with instructors or subject-matter experts;
• Experience with translation, editing, localization, or terminology work;
• Experience designing presentation materials, learning activities, handouts, or study guides;
• Familiarity with research on generative AI, AI-assisted translation, or AI in education;
• Experience with qualitative research, evaluation, or documenting research processes.

EDUCATION

Currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program in Educational Technology, Education, Instructional Design, Translation, Linguistics, Communication, Information Studies, or another field relevant to the project.

Candidates from related disciplines who can demonstrate strong bilingual academic writing and pedagogical skills are also encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should submit one .pdf file combining the following three documents:

• A current CV or résumé;
• A brief cover letter describing their relevant experience and interest in the project;
• An unofficial transcript confirming current graduate enrolment;

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a brief practical exercise in which they identify and justify the choice of a couple of scholarly articles that would be suitable for inclusion in the project. The exercise will assess familiarity with relevant fields of scholarship, ability to search efficiently across academic sources, skill in scanning and evaluating abstracts, and judgment in identifying work that contributes perspectives not already well represented in dominant discussions of AI.

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.