Research Assistant - SGI (Sustainable Africa)
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Position Summary:
This project is a Research-to-Action that seeks to explore linkages between nutrition and agri-food businesses in local and global agri-food/public health supply networks, with a focus on linkages and gaps in target geographies: selected districts/regions in Ghana, with linkages to other African countries, starting with Ivory Coast, Senegal, and with linkages to Canada.
The project is situated within the broader goals of the Sustainable Growth Initiative (SGI) Office of Sustainable Africa and the Nkabom Collaborative, a multi-stakeholder partnership with the Mastercard Foundation that brings together McGill University, six Ghanaian educational institutions, and an industry partner to transform Ghana’s nutrition and agri-food ecosystem by creating opportunities for youth-led impact through experiential learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The project will generate evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations to inform SGI programming, institutional partnerships, policy engagement, and future project development focused on sustainable nutrition and agri-food systems.
Project Purpose
The purpose of this research is to understand how entrepreneurship and public health supply networks interact to support or constrain the sustainability of nutrition and agri-food organizations and the project will:
1. Map relevant public health and entrepreneurship initiatives in the target countries.
2. Identify connections and gaps between these initiatives and nutrition and agri-food businesses.
3. Examine opportunities for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, government, and development organizations.
4. Develop recommendations to support SGI programming, partnerships, policy engagement, and future implementation initiatives.
Role Description
The Research Assistant will support the project by:
1. Conducting literature reviews on entrepreneurship, nutrition and agri-food businesses, public health supply networks, and sustainable enterprise development.
2. Mapping relevant initiatives, businesses, institutions, and ecosystem stakeholders.
3. Supporting stakeholder analysis and identifying existing partnerships and gaps.
4. Assisting with research and data collection.
5. Analyzing findings to identify barriers, opportunities, and potential solutions.
6. Developing a business model framework for strengthening the sustainability and growth of nutrition and agri-food organizations.
7. Preparing reports, presentations, briefing notes, and other knowledge translation materials.
8. Participating in fortnightly project meetings and supporting project coordination.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate should:
1. Be enrolled as a student at McGill University during the period of employment (Undergraduate, Master's, or PhD).
2. Be available to work from September 2026 through December 2027.
3. Demonstrate an interest in entrepreneurship, agriculture, nutrition, public health, sustainable development, supply chains, or related fields.
4. Demonstrate strong research, communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
5. Be able to conduct literature reviews and stakeholder mapping.
6. Have prior coursework or experience in entrepreneurship, policy, innovation, agriculture, nutrition, food systems, or related fields (preferred).
7. Be able to work independently while contributing effectively to an interdisciplinary team.
Supervision & Support
This Research Assistant will work under the supervision of Prof. Julie Ricard and John Gradek and will receive:
1. Academic oversight and mentorship.
2. Structured guidance through fortnightly progress meetings.
3. Access to SGI networks and relevant stakeholders.
4. Support in translating research findings into practical recommendations and implementation opportunities.
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.
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This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome 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 productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.