This competition is restricted to internal applicants of the University of Alberta. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position has an initial appointment of 1 year, with the possibility of renewal.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at North Campus Edmonton.

Reporting to the Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium (HiMARC) Director and Co-Director (hereafter HiMARC Directors), the Research Associate is accountable for the management of the Multi-Modal Motion-Assisted Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation (3MDR) program, ensuring effective management of day-to-day activities. The Research Associate is accountable for managing people, resources and processes to support the Investigators' research and training programs.

Specific accountabilities of the Research Associate are to to set research program objectives, design research projects, implement, and oversee research activities in collaboration with the HiMARC Directors.

Education and Experience

• Completed PhD degree in a related discipline such as: nursing, psychology, mental health, community health or public health;
• Knowledge and understanding of healthcare research, knowledge synthesis, knowledge translation, and the associated issues and strategies. Knowledge of evolving best practices in research methods generally, and knowledge synthesis and knowledge translation specifically;
• Licenses/affiliations - Registration as a regulated health professional legislated to deliver the restricted activity of psychosocial intervention (as per the Alberta Health Professions Act);
• Level 3 certification certification in Multi-Modal Motion-Assisted Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation (3MDR);
• Minimum 3-5 years delivering 3MDR in a research environment;
• Minimum 3-5 years reporting to multiple stakeholders and supervisors;
• Minimum 3-5 years supervisory experience of research team; research students, research assistants, 3MDR technicians and external contract service providers;
• Superior qualitative and/or quantitative social or health science research methods;
• Superior problem-solving and critical thinking ability supplemented with strong organizational and time management skills;
• Competency to make appropriate decisions under pressure while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality;
• Capacity to handle multiple assignments and changing priorities effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision;
• Strong initiative and action-oriented, with a sense of urgency to get things completed;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others in a team environment, use of an employer-perspective necessary to effectively collaborate with professional colleagues, and supervise a team of technical, administrative staff, students and volunteers;
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to express ideas and recommendations clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, in a manner appropriate to the audience;
• Exceptional written skills, composition, editing, and proofreading;
• Must pass a Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector prior to commencement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of military, veteran, public safety personnel and trauma-affected populations (including children, youth, seniors and First Nation and Metis communities);
• Demonstrated knowledge of research security protocols and relevant University of Alberta, provincial and federal programs;
• Ability to think strategically, apply emotional intelligence, listen actively, be a team-player, build consensus across diverse and high-stakes groups (government, military, industry, academia, community), and lead multidisciplinary teams;
• Ability to convey complex technical and strategic concepts clearly to varied audiences, including clinicians, administrators, military officials, industry leaders, and academic researchers;
• Skilled in preparing clear, compelling reports, proposals, communication, financial summaries, and strategic briefs for both expert and non-expert audiences;
• Experience managing event budgets and compliance with financial terms and conditions;
• Proven program management expertise; a recognized project management certification is considered an asset;
• Proven experience leading and managing change with a clear understanding of future trends, risks, and strategic priorities.
• Experience with a broad scope of review questions (e.g., interventions, prognosis, test accuracy) and synthesis methods (e.g. systematic reviews, rapid reviews, overviews of reviews, network meta-analysis, narrative synthesis);
• Experience in undertaking and reporting assessments of the certainty of evidence;
• Proficient in Review Manager or other software for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses;
• Proficient in Reference Manager or other bibliographic database management software

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your curriculum vitae and cover letter.

This position offers a pro-rated salary range of $48,463 to $66,652. This position is not eligible for benefits.

The terms and conditions of this appointment 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.

The Research Associate’s broad accountabilities are essential to the success and growth of the 3MDR program, including:

Carrying out high level 3MDR research activities under the direction of the HiMARC Directors,
including:

• Developing and implementing the strategic plan for research activities, designing studies, research methods, data collection protocols, and standards in consultation with the HiMARC Directors
• Identifying and communicating funding opportunities to HiMARC Directors;
• Developing liaisons among potential collaborators at the University and in the community;
• Developing, coordinating, and submitting grant applications, including collecting information from investigators, keeping track of timelines, and delineating all the tasks required to complete the grant application on time;
• Setting research program objectives, including: question and protocol development, project execution, report writing, manuscript preparation and dissemination of information in publications and presentations
• Coordinating funded research projects and overseeing high-level, complex research activities and analysis, including ethics preparation and submission (initial and annual updates); project implementation including adherence to proposed timeliness for recruitment, data collection, and data entry and analysis; budgets; and administrative requirements of research projects to ensure compliance with granting agencies and the University of Alberta (Research Services Office) policies and procedures;
• Delivering 3MDR to vulnerable populations as a regulated health professional legislated to deliver the restricted activity of psychosocial intervention (as per the Alberta Health Professions Act);
• Liaising with 3MDR clinical sites and teams and providing clinical training, consultation and support to clinicians training as 3MDR therapists;
• Providing written documentation of research progress to the HiMARC Directors;
• Coordinating Knowledge Synthesis and Knowledge Translation, including the writing of research papers and publications in refereed journals and presentations at scientific conferences, symposia, and partner meetings; and giving presentations to community based organizations under the direction of the HiMARC Directors;
• Providing guidance and coaching to students and supervising research assistants. This position can supervise up to 10 part time research students/assistants;
• Conducting other related administrative duties related to research at a managerial level;

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships:

• Develop structured partnerships with researchers, sponsors and field research sites provincially, nationally and internationally.
• Cultivate strategic co-investment and joint efforts regarding human factors related 3MDR initiatives and/or programs, and startups.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding and duty-of-care requirements when working with vulnerable populations at clinical research sites, including oversight of research staff conduct, risk management, and prompt escalation of concerns.

Project and Financial Oversight:

• Contribute to all initiative timelines, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring timely completion and scope adherence.
• Prepare regular, comprehensive progress reporting for sponsors, external community, government, and industry partners, using tools such as Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Zoom, and Teams to support collaborative engagement.
• Collaborate with the Research Manager for financial reporting, contract amendments, and project-related financial commitments.

Risk Management and Security:

• Identify and mitigate risks associated with intellectual property, research security, and compliance with sponsor requirements
• Inform the development and implementation of robust research security protocols and training to protect highly secure research, data, and facilities.

Supervision & Talent Management

• Serve as a direct supervisor for research students and assistants.
• Supervise and mentor a diverse, cross-functional team, ensuring high engagement, performance, collaboration, and professional development aligned with program objectives.
• Provide clinical training, consultation and support to clinicians training as 3MDR therapists.
• Liaise with 3MDR clinical sites and teams.
• Foster a collaborative and security-conscious work environment across internal university units and external partner organizations.
• Assess operational needs and contribute to the hiring of new staff
• Supervise, mentor, and manage employee performance within a large, complex, unionized environment.
• Use excellent interpersonal skills and apply the “employer-perspective” necessary to effectively manage and supervise diverse team members.
• Apply and comply with relevant Collective Agreement(s), HR-related policies and procedures (UAPPOL), and HR best practice standards.
• Proactively consult with the Faculty’s centralized HR Team to ensure all HR-related transactions comply with required U of A processes and procedures.
• Proactively consult with HiMARC Directors, Research Manager, HR Partner, and/or Central HR units regarding all other HR, employee relations, and labor relations issues to ensure compliance with relevant Collective Agreement, policy, and legislative requirements, as well as, ensuring HR best practice standards are applied.
• Develop and maintain positive, professional, collaborative working relationships with both internal / external clients and stakeholders at all organizational levels.

Strategic Planning and Execution:

• Collaborate with other HiMARC initiatives
• Participate in collaborative teams to support and facilitate the integration, alignment, and continuous enhancement of 3MDR objectives and outcomes.
• Provide leadership in evolving and implementing a strategic vision and plan for 3MDR, and its application as an early intervention through treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related conditions across child, youth, adult, seniors and First Nation and Metis communities.
• Facilitate partnerships that align with a common vision and mission, and reduce fragmentation and duplication of effort.
• Create and advance a Knowledge Mobilization (KMb)