Research Associate in Canada and EU Relations

About Tessera Research Collective

Tessera Research Collective is an independent, non-partisan research organization established as a federal not-for-profit under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. Operating as an international network focused on global affairs and international security with strong emphasis on human security, the collective was founded at the University of Toronto and formalized its international structure in 2024. It believes that understanding major political developments requires detailed attention to local contexts and grounded fieldwork.

Role Overview

The organization seeks Research Associates to enhance the collective's analytical work on political, security, economic, and institutional relations between Canada and the European Union. Those joining now will help launch a new think tank building on Tessera’s research, scheduled for Fall.

Applicants located in Belgium or the Netherlands—a hub for European business, defence, and policy—are particularly encouraged to apply. University affiliates from noted institutions such as KU Leuven, Ghent, Amsterdam, Leiden, Utrecht, and Maastricht are also welcome.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform specialized research focusing on Canada-EU cooperation in areas such as security, defence, trade, critical minerals, technology, and transatlantic issues.
• Conduct literature reviews, track policy updates and official statements, and collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Produce approximately one authored publication per month, including policy briefs, analyses, or opinion pieces.
• Prepare research briefs, reports, and policy-focused documents.
• Collaborate with collective members on joint initiatives and assist in designing and launching the new think tank.
• Participate in weekly one-hour team meetings.
• Support grant proposal development and engage with academic and stakeholder partners as needed.

Candidate Profile

• A minimum of 3 years professional experience in international relations, foreign policy, security/defence, trade, or related field, or graduate-level education (completed or ongoing) in political science, international relations, European studies, or allied disciplines.
• Strong research abilities and analytical skills, with a demonstrated interest in Canada–EU or transatlantic matters.
• Excellent policy-oriented writing skills in English; knowledge of French or other European languages is advantageous.
• Ability to work autonomously in a part-time, remote capacity, adhering to deadlines.
• Experience engaging academic, policy, or civil society audiences, including familiarity with human or international security discussions.

Fellowship Benefits

• Official recognition as a Research Associate with opportunities for collaboration within an international research network.
• Bylined publications promoted through Tessera’s channels and shared with researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
• Opportunities for editorial collaboration and co-authorship.
• Invitations to Tessera events and training sessions.
• Formal mentorship by senior academics and field experts.
• A written recommendation upon successful completion.
• Possibility to contribute to founding a new think tank.

Additional Information

This position is a volunteer fellowship with no employer-employee relationship. The commitment is approximately 5 hours per week over 6 months, with potential renewal. Candidates should submit a CV and a one-page cover letter outlining relevant background and interest in Canada–EU relations. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.