Post-secondary research assistants

Newfoundland and Labrador

The employment outlook will be Moderate for post-secondary teaching and research assistants (NOC 41201) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of a few positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.Labour needs will stem primarily from positions vacated by teaching and research assistants at the post-secondary level who complete their studies and move on to other occupations. Job opportunities will be accessible essentially to students who have a bachelor's degree and who are enrolled in a master's or doctoral program in a relevant field of specialization. Candidates are selected based on their academic results and their communication skills. Recent budget cuts from Memorial University may worsen job opportunities.Here are some key facts about post-secondary teaching and research assistants in Newfoundland and Labrador: Approximately 950 people work in this occupation. Post-secondary teaching and research assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Universities (NAICS 6113): 90%Community colleges and C.E.G.E.P.s (NAICS 6112): 6% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 60% compared to 83% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 40% compared to 17% for all occupations45% of post-secondary teaching and research assistants work all year, while 55% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 37 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of post-secondary teaching and research assistants are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 40% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 60% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 15% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 34% compared to 14% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 41% compared to 7% for all occupations

Saskatchewan

The employment outlook will be Moderate for post-secondary teaching and research assistants (NOC 41201) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Restrictive immigration policy changes at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada are expected to reduce international student enrolments between 2025 and 2027. This decline is leading to revenue shortfalls, budget constraints, and job cuts including an estimated 12,000 job losses across Canada’s postsecondary education sector.Increased university research funding including several large-scale, interdisciplinary research grants from provincial and federal funding agencies and industry partners will help soften the impact of the federal international student cap on employment in this occupation.Workers in this occupation are concentrated in the Saskatoon region.Here are some key facts about post-secondary teaching and research assistants in Saskatchewan: Approximately 2,300 people work in this occupation. Post-secondary teaching and research assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Universities (NAICS 6113): 84%Community colleges and C.E.G.E.P.s (NAICS 6112): 10% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 64% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 36% compared to 19% for all occupations53% of post-secondary teaching and research assistants work all year, while 47% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of post-secondary teaching and research assistants are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 42% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 57% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 18% compared to 33% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 15% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 7% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 34% compared to 18% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 38% compared to 7% for all occupations

Prince Edward Island

The employment outlook will be Moderate for post-secondary teaching and research assistants (NOC 41201) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.Post-secondary teaching and research assistants in Prince Edward Island remain in demand, with job openings largely driven by turnover as graduate or senior-level students complete their studies and move into other careers. Employment prospects are tied closely to student enrolment, government investments, and research funding, but recent federal policy changes capping international student permits have sharply reduced enrolment at local institutions. This has created financial strain which may be a limiting factor for assistant positions. Candidates are typically selected based on academic performance and communication skills, and positions often provide valuable experience for those pursuing academic or research careers. For new graduates or those seeking work while studying, this occupation offers flexible, short-term employment with strong experiential benefits, though future availability may depend on how institutions adapt to reduced international enrolment and funding pressures. Here are some key facts about post-secondary teaching and research assistants in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 300 people work in this occupation. Post-secondary teaching and research assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Universities (NAICS 6113): 88%Community colleges and C.E.G.E.P.s (NAICS 6112): 8% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 74% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 26% compared to 16% for all occupations41% of post-secondary teaching and research assistants work all year, while 59% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 37 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 42% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 57% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 25% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 40% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 31% compared to 8% for all occupations