What matters to you?

Each day we consume. And every piece of consumption is a set of choices. Choices about quality, cost, efficiency - and so on.

The sum of those choices has an impact. Consequences. For the planet, for us, for other people, and for the species we share the planet with.

smallthing is a fully funded tech startup based in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia.

We exist to help people better understand the purchasing choices they make — and to improve those consequences. We’re doing this through an app launching in Spring 2026, initially serving the Canadian market before expanding into the UK and US.

Ahead of our launch, we’re recruiting several new team members for an immediate start, including:

Research Assistant (NOC 41201) – Ethical & Sustainable Product Research

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia (Hybrid: office + home)

Salary: ~$60,000 per year

Benefits: Health insurance and pension plan

Type: Full-time

The Role

We’re hiring two Research Assistants to help shape the future of ethical product data. You’ll dive deep into consumer product categories, identify what makes a product truly sustainable, and use AI tools to analyze and grade items based on those standards. You’ll also play a hands-on role in refining the tools that make this research possible.

These are both entry-level roles, ideal for a recent graduate looking to take their first step on the career ladder.

What You’ll Do

Dig into data: Research and analyze product categories to uncover key ethical and sustainability attributes.
Evaluate products: Assess and grade products based on transparent, research-driven criteria.
Leverage AI: Use AI and machine learning tools to streamline data gathering, analysis, and grading.
Manage data in our app: Work with the Mac version of our internal platform to load, review, and organize product information.
Help us build better tools: Provide feedback and insights to improve our in-house research tech.
Collaborate creatively: Work closely with our in-house journalist and tech team to turn research into real-world impact.

What You Bring

A university degree (which has involved significant data research)
Solid analytical and research skills, with a knack for spotting patterns and details.
Comfort working with data tools, spreadsheets, or AI-assisted workflows.
Curiosity about sustainability, consumer ethics, and tech-driven innovation.
Self-motivation and adaptability in a hybrid startup environment.
Experience using Mac OS and data-analysis apps is a plus.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Be part of a mission-led startup with a real social and environmental purpose.
Work with a smart, cross-disciplinary team combining tech, research, and journalism.
Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid work with time at home and in our Halifax office.
Grow your career at the intersection of AI, sustainability, and innovation.

smallthing.co

Open Positions

Researcher