postdoctoral scholar

research assistant

postdoctoral fellow

postdoctoral associate

research associate

University of Calgary

The University of Calgary advertises great 100% medical benefits and good salaries. However, it's deceptive. Benefits are 100% up to small maximums (i.e. $30 per chiro appointment), so you end up using your entire HSA fairly quickly to cover the difference. The pension is a mandatory contribution of >10% of your gross salary, so say good bye to $400+ per month. Ultimately, my take home salary is equivalent to $10k less anywhere else with minimum benefits to make up for it.

As for work, it's a typical union environment where sub-par employees hang on and you won't get opportunities to build your skills outside of your job description. They do offer the UAdvance program which is a series of good professional development courses. But there are few jobs at the SPAIII level, so expect a bottle neck on advancement early in your career (depending on what level you start at).

Certain offices can be isolated from other staff, so it's difficult to get to know co-workers/network, even with people in your same role but different departments.

Unless you're solely focused on a post-secondary career, I would say look elsewhere for better development, pay and benefits.

While the organization presents opportunities, the reality can be far from what is promised. Roles and responsibilities change without warning, leaving employees to constantly adapt, and job security is practically non-existent, especially in non-unionized positions. Leadership's decisions often don't align with initial plans, resulting in constant shifts in expectations and a lack of stability.

The lack of proper onboarding and training was a significant challenge. I was thrown into complex tasks without any guidance or preparation, expected to solve problems immediately despite having no prior knowledge or tools to do so. This made the job incredibly frustrating and overwhelming. Without any structured support, it felt like the company was setting employees up to fail.

Additionally, the process of hiring for contract or temporary roles is deeply flawed, as there’s little to no funding for permanent positions. This results in a revolving door of high turnover, as candidates quickly leave for more stable opportunities. For anyone seeking job security, clear expectations, and support, this environment is highly unpredictable and disorganized.

Hard to rate the whole institution as it depends on the department for which a person is working. Art Department and Faculty of Education - excellent experience. Administration and Library - some places - horrible experiences. My own experience and my friends experiences from different departments:
Many great employees overworked - doing the job of two people but being paid for one position. Many great managers. At the same time, there are a few offices where managers seem unqualified, or struggling with some issues, and creating a very stressful and hostile environment. And it is a permanent feature. 
The most enjoyable part of my jobs at the UofC - working with students and many amazing co-workers. The hardest part - dealing with, the mentioned above, people who abuse their power. They have similar to Trump's personality and attitude. However, we, co-workers, supported one another during tough times. And we are part of the workplace culture.

I was multitasking during the working day, from 8:30 until 4:30.
Basically, I had to know all required policies and procedures including administrative assistant manuals. I have learned to obtain requisitions, to use PeopleSoft system, and room access programing as well. Additionally, during my work at the University of Calgary, I've completed courses in Communication Strategies for Leading Groups, Human Behavior in Organizations, Management Communications Interpersonal Skills, and Learning Online course at Continued Education.
The top management and closest co-workers were very supportive and friendly.
The hardest part of the job was my supervisor with her micromanagement attitude.
Any way, I very much enjoyed to my work, took great pride in my accomplishments there, and gained much satisfaction,knowing that my work was an important part of the whole process. There was every day a chance to do something great.

My volunteer work consisted of me being pro-active in promoting the Undergraduate Law and Society Association (ULSA) club during "Club Week" at U of C. I assisted in promoting to students from various programs (Business, Communication Studies, Law students, various first year students, etc.); by informally communicating information regarding the events that the club holds, and the organizations that sponsor the club. The people I worked with were fantastic and energetic; we are all very passionate about Law and Society, so I enjoyed volunteering. The hardest part of the job is being able to get students to pay for the sign-up fee, which is collected to place funds towards the events the club coordinates for those who do join. I learned how to campaign effectively, approach students in a orderly manner and I learned how to handle rejection as well as, skills to communicate effectively.

Most research is self directed. Chemicals are sorted and classified, then are prepared for shipping. Tests are done on unknown to classify the compounds to a first class (pH, Oxidative, halogens, and solvents). 
I have learned many different ways to classify compounds and have been given training on analytic machines such as NMR.
Management is amazing, any concerns I have are addressed very timely and support is given when needed. It is a very relaxed environment where tons of work is completed everyday.
Co-workers are very friendly and eager to help with assistance. They are also very personable and always enjoy a good conversation. 
There is really no hard part about the job but if I had to list one it would be getting materials, this is mostly due to the suppliers and not the purchaser.
The most enjoyable part of the job is the people I work with, the knowledge I gain on a daily basis and the satisfaction of making a difference.

U of C used to be a great place to work, but there is growing dissatisfaction within the management community who are expected to do more and more without appropriate compensation.  Work-life balance is a thing of the past.  Wellness support looks good on paper, but is not translated into the day-to-day environment.  The leadership team is not trained or held accountable for mentoring or supporting employees to improve performance and maintain or increase morale.  There is pervasive mentality that effectiveness should bubble up from the ranks rather than trickle down from leadership, and this is ineffective.  

The most enjoyable part of the job is wonderful colleagues - the majority are willing to do whatever it takes to get the work done; however, the inevitable cost is exhaustion and negative attrition.

I worked 13 years at the Corner Store it was good. I had 5 to 6 employees I had to take care of on a day to day basis each semester.  I belive my students loved working under my wing. I made sure as a small team we all took pride in making sure our duties were completed each day. I had almost no turn over for new students coming on board. Some of my students still  keep in touch with myself and I love that. 
Management trusted that I was the only one running the show, at my location so I never had much interaction with Management. I took care of the Corner Store as a Coordinator and enjoyed my job very much. The hardest part of the job I would say was running a store,  making sure that all staff and scheduling came together like clock work. 
It's to bad the Corner Store closed there door, permanently like most small locations at University. I will miss working there, as I worked in total for the Bookstore for over 24 years.

As a student at the University of Calgary, I can wholeheartedly say that this institution has exceeded my expectations in every aspect. The academic experience here is top-notch, with passionate and knowledgeable professors who go above and beyond to inspire and support their students. The campus is not just a place to study; it's a vibrant community that encourages diversity and collaboration. The range of extracurricular activities and student clubs is impressive, providing numerous opportunities to get involved and make lifelong connections. The emphasis on research and innovation is palpable, offering students the chance to engage in groundbreaking projects and contribute to real-world solutions. The University of Calgary has truly become my home away from home, fostering personal growth, academic excellence, and a sense of belonging. I feel privileged to be part of such an enriching and supportive academic community.

Working as a Research Assistant at the University of Calgary has been a rewarding experience. The environment fosters intellectual growth and collaboration, providing ample opportunities to engage in meaningful research projects. The faculty and staff are supportive and knowledgeable, offering guidance and mentorship to enhance professional development. The facilities and resources available are top-notch, facilitating innovative research initiatives. Additionally, the university's strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion creates a welcoming atmosphere for all employees. However, there can be challenges balancing multiple projects and deadlines, requiring strong time management skills. Overall, the University of Calgary provides an enriching experience for Research Assistants, offering valuable insights and skills that contribute to personal and academic growth.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Postdoctoral scholar 32 salaries reported	$61,334 per year
Research assistant 17 salaries reported	$24.85 per hour
Postdoctoral fellow 23 salaries reported	$57,109 per year
Postdoctoral associate 11 salaries reported	$58,455 per year
Research associate 4 salaries reported	$40.02 per hour

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