Research Assistant jobs in Toronto, ON

Application deadline: July 17, 2026

EDC New Grad Position – Economic & Political Intelligence Centre (Fall 2026)

About EDC: At Export Development Canada (EDC), we empower Canadian businesses to succeed globally. As a Financial Crown corporation, we offer innovative financial solutions and expert insights to help businesses explore new markets, mitigate risks, and achieve growth.

Why Join EDC?

• Collaborate with a diverse, experienced team
• Thrive in a supportive, teamwork-driven environment.
• Impact global communities through sustainable growth in emerging markets.
• Recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, Best Diversity Employers, and a Top 100 Family-Friendly Employers.
• Enjoy a comprehensive Total Rewards package, including benefits, vacation, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Student and New Grad Opportunities

Our student and new grad opportunities include internships and co-op programs, all designed to give your career a strong start. Work terms begin at four months in length and may be extended for an additional four months or more, depending on business needs. While most roles are full-time, there is flexibility for part-time work.

Our program is ideal for early career professionals who are new grads that have completed their courses within the past year, as well as students in their current program of study. Work terms in our program can be counted towards an accredited co-op program with your university or college.

Our Ideal Student or New Grad:

• Currently enrolled or recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program (eligible for up to one year after completion of studies).
• Available for 8 months or more - While roles will be available for 4-month terms, preference will be given to candidates with availability that extends.
• Previous work term experience related to their field of study
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Motivated self-starter, good organizational and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Enthusiasm to tackle any task, whether menial or complex
• Knowledge of both official languages is an asset and may be required for certain positions

Compensation Details:

Student, New Grad & Master’s salaries range from $42,900 to $56,550 annually, based on year of study. Please see the salary breakdown by year of study below:

• 1st Year: $42,900 ($22.00/hour)
• 2nd Year: $44,850 ($23.00/hour)
• 3rd Year: $46,800 ($24.00/hour)
• 4th Year and Beyond: $48,750 ($25.00/hour)
• New Graduate (Undergraduate): $54,600 ($28.00/hour)
• Master’s/PhD: $56,550 ($29.00/hour)

Overview

The Economic and Political Intelligence Centre (EPIC) at Export Development Canada (EDC) is seeking a high-performing Research Assistant to join our team of economists, researchers and quantitative analysts.

EPIC provides data-driven, forward-looking analysis to inform EDC’s executive decision-making and Canada’s trade strategy. Our work sits at the intersection of international trade, global value chains, and firm-level competitiveness, with a strong emphasis on translating economic data into actionable insights.

As part of the team, you will contribute to research that shapes how Canada competes globally ranging from market diversification and sectoral growth to building productive trade capacity.

What you will be doing:

Note: This position reports directly to the Manager of Economic Research & Impact

• Support rapid-response and ad hoc analysis
• Conduct structured literature review , synthesize findings into clear insights for senior economists and managers on ongoing research projects
• Work hands-on with data:
• • Source, clean and merge datasets (eg: Statistics Canada, UNCOMTRADE, WTO & other international statistical sources)
  • Build clean and structured datasets for analysis
• Perform analysis primarily in Excel (advanced), with exposure to Python/R (or other packages) where applicable
• Develop clear data visualizations, slide decks, and dashboards for internal and external audiences
• Contribute to short research notes and longer analytical pieces
• Where possible, take ownership of small analytical workstreams or independent research contributions

Core requirements::

• Currently enrolled or recently completed a degree in Economics, International Affairs, Business Administration, Finance or related field.
• Strong foundation in economic principles and statistical methods
• Strong data analysis skills:
• • Must be comfortable with large datasets, formulas, pivot tables, lookups and basic data structuring

• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely, both in writing and presentations
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks under tight timelines
• Curious, self-driven, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, research-oriented environment

What will make you stand out:

• Experience working with trade or macroeconomic data (e.g., exports, GVCs, industry-level analysis)
• Familiarity with tools such as Python, R, STATA, or Power BI/Tableau for analysis or visualization
• Demonstrated ability to translate data into insights (not just analysis, but “so what?”)
• Experience in data cleaning and preprocessing workflows (e.g., harmonizing datasets, handling missing values, creating consistent series)
• Experience using or experimenting with AI/LLMs to accelerate research or data tasks
• Bilingualism in English and French

Location

• Export Development Canada operates in a hybrid work environment, with a current requirement of two in-office days per week, increasing to three days per week in September 2026 (subject to change).
• This role will be performed from EDC’s community hub in Toronto or Ottawa.

What can you expect from an EDC work term? Building cross-functional networks of colleagues, identifying and following through on opportunities for improvement and innovation, learning and growing constantly through coaching and mentoring, working in a high-performing, fast-paced and flexible environment facilitated by technologies based out of our stunning downtown Ottawa headquarters.

Student Program Eligibility

EDC is committed to Fair Employment Practices and preference will be given to a candidate who is able to work legally in Canada at the time of application (Canadien Citizen, Permanent Residents or Work Permit). Candidates must meet the requisite government security screening requirements. The position is open to those who meet all of the essential requirements stated above and whose applications are received by the closing date.

This position is open to individuals who meet all the essential criteria outlined above and submit their applications by the closing date. Ready to make a difference? This is your chance to join a dynamic, growing team and leave your mark on our organization, development finance, and the world.

Apply today!

Want to learn more about EDC? Check our website here https://www.edc.ca

EDC's Commitment to Employment Equity

Export Development Canada (EDC) is dedicated to fostering employment equity and building a diverse workforce. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment that respects people from all cultures, backgrounds, and abilities. At EDC, we nurture a culture of inclusion and belonging where everyone has equal opportunity to grow, develop, succeed, and be their truest selves.

We actively encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the requirements. We thank all applicants' interest in a career at EDC; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that qualified candidates may be considered for similar roles at this level within EDC.

EDC recognizes that disclosing the need for accommodations can be a personal matter. Please know that as an organization, we are committed to maintaining confidentiality and ensuring that any accommodations provided are tailored to support your needs. Our aim is to ensure you have a comfortable and positive experience throughout the recruitment process, so please do not hesitate to contact us directly for any accommodation requests at accessibility@edc.ca. We are here to support you every step of the way.

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