Job Opportunities

The Urban Policy Lab has several part-time employment opportunities available for University of Toronto students during the 2022-2023 academic year. Brief job descriptions, required qualifications, and application instructions are listed below.

Note: All postings close September 9, 2022 at 11:59pm ET. Interviews will take place the week of Sept. 12th.

Submit applications here

If you are applying for more than one position, you may submit a single application package. But be sure to specify the positions you are applying for and tailor your application accordingly. If you have any questions, email g.eidelman@utoronto.ca or make an appointment to speak with Prof. Gabriel Eidelman directly.

Administrative Positions

Communications and Social Media Coordinator

The Lab is seeking a work-study student to manage and produce content for the Lab’s website, blog, newsletter, and social media accounts.

  • Number of positions: 2
  • Workload: up to 50 hours (avg. 2 hrs/week)
  • Rate: $20/hr
  • Start/End Dates: Sept 2022-Mar 2023
  • Responsibilities:
    • curate, develop, and maintain the Lab’s presence across all relevant social media platforms, including writing engaging content and promoting/reporting on Lab events and activities
    • produce an overall communications and social media strategy to promote and help the Urban Policy Lab reach professional and public audiences
    • track and evaluate ongoing communications activities (e.g. social media engagement, followers, story views, readership, etc.)
  • Qualifications:
    • avid user of social media with an in-depth knowledge of different platforms (particularly LinkedIn/Twitter)
    • demonstrated professionalism in online communications
    • excellent written and oral communication skills
    • superb design skills with ability to produce creative written, graphic, audio, and video content
    • dependable, details-oriented, and self-directed
    • Preference will be given to students in the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy and Master of Global Affairs programs. That said, students in Public Policy/Political Science, Urban/City Studies, Urban Innovation, Geography and Planning, and Media/Visual Studies are also welcome to apply.
  • Application Instructions: Applicants should submit a cover letter and resumé using the link at the top of the page. Be sure to highlight examples of your past work, and creative ideas you hope to contribute to the Lab’s communications.
  • Closing Date:  September 9, 2022, 11:59pm ET

Research Positions

Research Assistant – Who Does What project

The “Who Does What” research series is a joint initiative between the Munk School’s Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance and the Urban Policy Lab. Each paper in the series will set out the current role municipalities play in a particular policy domain, relative to provincial and federal governments, and feature brief essays from a mix of academics and practitioners proposing changes to current intergovernmental arrangements. Twelve papers will be published over two years and cover various topics. Focus areas in 2022-23 include: child care, immigration, and long-term care.

  • No. of Positions Available: 3
  • Workload: up to 40 hours (mainly in the fall)
  • Rate: $25/hr
  • Start/End Dates: Sept 2022-Mar 2023
  • Responsibilities:
    • conduct documentary research on the role of municipalities with respect to child care, immigration, and long-term care.
    • produce policy backgrounders as the basis for written contributions from outside experts
    • assist with general project management
  • Qualifications:
    • currently enrolled in Munk MPP or MGA program
    • demonstrated interest in urban policy, municipal governance, and intergovernmental relations
    • dependable, details-oriented, and self-directed
    • superb research and written communication skills
  • Application Instructions: Applicants should submit a cover letter and resumé using the link at the top of the page. Your cover letter should specify your particular strengths, skills, and experience you believe will positively contribute to the project.
  • Closing Date: September 9, 2022, 11:59pm

Research Assistant – Climate, Housing Policy, and Urban Form project

The Urban Policy Lab is part of a research team led by Prof. Shoshanna Saxe (Engineering), and funded by the School of Cities Urban Challenge Grant program, investigating the policy challenge of building more housing to meet the demand of the GTHA’s growing population while ensuring these projects shrink urban greenhouse gas footprints to meet international climate commitments. Student researchers are required to help identify (a) domestic policy barriers to more sustainable housing construction and (b) international best practices, and summarizing their findings in a series of policy briefs and research reports.

  • No. of Positions Available: 2
  • Workload: up to 100 hours (mainly in the fall)
  • Rate: $25/hr
  • Start/End Dates: Sept 2022-Apr 2023
  • Responsibilities:
    • conduct documentary research on Canadian policy and law regarding the provision and sustainability of the built environment compared to international leaders
    • produce policy briefs and other research products
    • assist with general project management, including organizing stakeholder roundtables and other community engagement activities
  • Qualifications:
    • currently enrolled in Munk MPP or MGA program
    • demonstrated interest in urban policy, housing, and climate change
    • dependable, details-oriented, and self-directed
    • superb research and written communication skills
  • Application Instructions: Applicants should submit a cover letter and resumé using the link at the top of the page. Your cover letter should specify your particular strengths, skills, and experience you believe will positively contribute to the project.
  • Closing Date: September 9, 2022, 11:59pm