Research Associate - University of Alberta, Edmonton

Responsibilities of the Research Associate

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Research Associate will play a pivotal role in advancing high-quality, community-engaged health research. This involves close collaboration with Indigenous community partners, research staff, students, and national collaborators. The role contributes significantly to study coordination, research ethics, data collection and analysis, knowledge mobilization, reporting, and dissemination activities, particularly for the Indigenous Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (I-HeLTI) and other partnered health research initiatives in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).

Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with the Principal Investigator, community partners, and research team members to develop research questions, study protocols, data collection tools, workplans, and project deliverables.
• Coordinating the day-to-day implementation of research projects, including research ethics submissions and renewals, participant recruitment, data collection, data management, analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities.
• Leading and supporting the development of a community-informed cross-sectional survey examining Indigenous health, wellbeing, and related social, cultural, and health system factors within the RMWB.
• Contributing to the planning and development of a longitudinal Indigenous birth cohort study, including study design, protocol development, participant recruitment strategies, data collection procedures, and longitudinal evaluation frameworks.
• Leading and supporting ongoing administrative health data analyses for the Better Together Project in RMWB.
• Supporting the implementation of Indigenous research and data governance principles, including adherence to community protocols, OCAP® principles, and relevant ethical guidelines for research involving Indigenous Peoples.
• Contributing to the preparation of community reports, technical reports, data briefs, academic manuscripts, presentations, and other dissemination products.
• Participating in CARE Research Lab activities, including team meetings, methodological discussions, trainee mentorship, and professional development initiatives.

In addition to research leadership, the role involves student mentorship and grant development:

• Providing guidance and support to research assistants, graduate students, and project coordinators on the projects as needed.
• Leading or contributing to internal (Lab) training initiatives (e.g., methods workshops, journal clubs).

• Contributing to the development of competitive grant applications and contract proposals, including drafting workplans and timelines (e.g., Gantt charts), assisting with methods/study design, coordinating supporting documentation (e.g., letters of support), and proposal editing.

Skills and Experience Required

The ideal candidate for this Research Associate position will possess a strong academic background and extensive practical experience in coordinating complex research projects, particularly within health and Indigenous community contexts. Demonstrated leadership and communication skills are crucial for success in this role at the University of Alberta.

• Doctor of Philosophy. A graduate degree in Epidemiology, Public Health Sciences, or a related field is preferred.
• 5-7 years of experience independently coordinating large research projects, with preference given to those with experience with quantitative research and formal training in statistics.
• 3-5 years of experience in program development and management related to maternal and child health or perinatal health research.
• 3-5 years of experience in reporting to multiple stakeholders and supervisors.
• Expertise in developmental, maternal, and child health research.
• Knowledge and understanding of healthcare research and Indigenous health research, including evolving best practices in research methods generally, and Indigenous research methods specifically. Experience coordinating community-based or participatory research projects would be an asset.

Essential engagement and communication skills include:

• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Strong writing skills for academic outputs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Key leadership and management skills required:

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Advanced skills in problem-solving, critical analysis, and management.
• Ability to set priorities and manage workload across several projects, take initiative, and work with accountability.
• Strong commitment to client service with a positive and professional approach.
• Ability to travel periodically within Alberta, including to Indigenous communities in the RMWB.

About the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is a vibrant community of knowledge seekers, change makers, and world shapers, leading with purpose every day. Home to over 14,000 faculty and staff and more than 40,000 students, the university fosters an environment where work has a meaningful influence on a diverse cross-section of people, from students and community members to renowned researchers. The University is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process, welcoming applications from all qualified persons who can contribute to the diversification of ideas and the university community.

The School of Public Health at the University of Alberta integrates research, graduate education, and community engagement to improve population health. Its interdisciplinary structure includes academic programs, centres, and research teams focused on tackling pressing public health issues locally and globally. The School is dedicated to creating knowledge, training public health professionals, and advancing evidence-informed policy and practice.

What's on Offer

This Research Associate position at the University of Alberta offers a comprehensive benefits package with an annual salary range of $83,195 to $93,603. The terms and conditions are governed by Schedule E of the Collective Agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.