Research Assistant - University of Alberta, Edmonton

The opportunity

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta is a leading centre for pediatric education and research in Canada. In partnership with the Stollery Children's Hospital and community pediatrics across Northern Alberta, we provide exceptional care for children, youth, and families. Guided by our values of compassion, growth, and health equity, our team advances pediatric care through innovative research, accredited training programs, and unique learning opportunities led by dedicated faculty.

Working within the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, the Research Assistant will provide comprehensive support for a variety of clinical research studies focused on pediatric hospital conditions. This role involves executing study protocols across multiple methodologies, including qualitative research, prospective observational studies, and survey administration.

What you'll do

As part of your administration and research duties, you will engage in participant recruitment, qualitative data collection, and study coordination.

• Conduct in-person recruitment of patients and families within the pediatric hospital setting.
• Administer surveys to research participants and ensure high-quality data capture.
• Implement study protocols for diverse research types, including but not limited to qualitative interview.
• Manage qualitative studies in Pediatric Hospital Medical education including scheduling interviews.
• Conduct semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
• Maintained organized databases of field notes and logs.
• Draft detailed memos summarizing immediate post-interview insights.
• Conduct qualitative analysis via a variety of established methods.
• Assist in the preparation/formatting of manuscripts, reports, and literature reviews including article retrieval.
• Support the entry, formatting and submission of ethics applications.
• Maintain updated study manuals and protocols to ensure team-wide consistency.
• Participate in regular research group meetings to report on progress and milestones.
• Support a workplace committed to safety in all its forms, physical, cultural and psychological.

What you'll bring

To succeed in this position, candidates must meet the minimum education, technical, and interpersonal qualifications.

• Bachelor's degree in a health sciences field.
• Two years of experience in a research environment, specifically within clinical or hospital settings.
• Methodological Knowledge: Understanding of qualitative research methods and survey administration.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access) and familiarity with reference management software (e.g., EndNote).
• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills for sensitive interactions with pediatric patients and their families.
• Organization: Strong ability to prioritize tasks across multiple active studies to meet rigid deadlines.

Preferred qualifications include a Master's degree in a health sciences field.

About the company

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just.

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry is one of the world's top academic health science centres, driving global health innovation in collaboration with partners across sectors.