Research Assistant, Grant Development & Industry Partnerships

The Concordia Applied AI Institute (AI2) is a multi-disciplinary applied research unit representing more than 120 faculty members and their graduate students from the 4 Concordia University faculties. AI2 is a values-driven institute, committed to engaged leadership, caring for AI’s community and consequences, and responsive to public interest. We support AI that improves, rather than maintains, the status quo. Through workshops, panel discussions, publications, and other avenues, we facilitate meaningful engagement with issues related to AI governance and adoption.

Job description

We sit at the intersection of academia and industry. This role is designed for a graduate student interested in how research connects to real-world applications through funding and partnerships. As a research assistant specialising in grant development and industry partnerships, you will support grant development activities and help map and coordinate relationships between researchers and external partners, with a focus on applied AI opportunities.

This position is subject to all conditions outlined in the CREW Collective agreement. 

Application deadline: May 26, 2026 

Contract dates: June 1, 2026 - Aug 31, 2026  

Salary: $32 per hour (for MA students), $42 per hour (for PhD students) 

Total hours: 260 hours 

Work environment

The Applied AI Institute is an interdisciplinary team composed of engineers and social scientists, both full-time professionals and research assistants from the Concordia community. We collaborate with faculty members from Concordia University that provide guidance and expertise for our projects. We are embedded within a university environment and work closely with sister units in other departments to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of our research and educational mandates.   

We enjoy working with diverse teams. We appreciate the varied outlooks and perspectives of our team members and how they shape our projects.  

Qualities we admire

• Respond well to feedback
• Being comfortable with self-directed learning
• Problem-solving
• Growth mind-set
• Prioritize team over individual success
• Being organized

Profile description

If you’re excited about the role and are committed to learning with and from your team members, and are motivated by constructive criticism, please apply! We’re more interested in finding someone who’s a great fit for our team than just checking off a list of qualifications.  

• A genuine interest in research and how it can create real-world impact;
• Strong writing and analytical skills;
• Interest in research funding, partnerships, and applied AI;
• Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple inputs and deadlines;
• Comfortable working in a collaborative and evolving environment;
• Experience in AI or technical development projects considered a strong asset;
• Familiarity with Canadian research funding programs (e.g., Mitacs, NSERC) is a strong asset.

Testing required

The language skills of qualified candidates may be tested.

Territorial acknowledgment

Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.

Employment equity

Concordia University is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversification; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications. 

Accessibility

Concordia desires to increase diversity among its community members and we strive to make our recruitment processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants. If you are contacted for an interview and anticipate needing accommodations during the process, please contact, in confidence, applied.ai@concordia.ca

How to apply

Please send your CV and cover letter to applied.ai@concordia.ca

Accommodations are available to support your success at the interview stage. Please let us know how we can mitigate barriers that would prevent you from fully participating by contacting applied.ai@concordia.ca. Your request will be held in confidence.