Senior Research Associate on Housing and Homelessness

Senior Research Associate on Housing and Homelessness Join the University of Ottawa as a Senior Research Associate to advance research, knowledge mobilization, and evidence‑based housing policy for the Housing and Homelessness Initiative. The incumbent will lead and coordinate interdisciplinary projects on housing insecurity and homelessness, build partnerships, and promote policy engagement. Job Type: Employee Duration: 24 months (fixed‑term) Job Family: Research # Open Positions: 1 Department: Public Policy, Research and Outreach Campus: Main Campus Union Affiliation: N/A Date Posted: 2025/11/17 Application Deadline: 2025/12/08 Hours per week: 35 Salary Grade: NR8 – 35 hrs Salary Range: $94,214.00 – $117,768.00 Position Purpose The Senior Research Associate will support the University of Ottawa Housing and Homelessness Initiative in advancing its mission to foster research and knowledge mobilization and inform evidence‑based housing policy. Reporting to the Director of Research and Public Policy Outreach in the Office of the Vice‑President Research and Innovation, the incumbent will lead and coordinate complex, interdisciplinary research projects focused on housing insecurity and homelessness. The role involves building and sustaining partnerships with the research community, government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders, while supporting knowledge mobilization, policy engagement, and the development of evidence‑based solutions to address homelessness in the National Capital Region and beyond. Specific Accountabilities Project conceptualization / development. Perform needs assessments and/or consult with clients in order to determine the types of research and information that are required. Conceptualize, plan, develop, design and conduct complex qualitative and/or quantitative research projects. Develop hypotheses and theories. Identify resources in the research and broader community to approach research challenges. Identify research partnership opportunities. Project definition. Define research objectives within a given research scope. Design research projects using appropriate and creative investigative methodologies – may involve quantitative and/or qualitative methods and may include both pilot and development work; methodologies may include surveys, questionnaires, participant observation, interviews (face‑to‑face, telephone and online), focus groups, literature reviews, internet‑based and library research, document analysis, case studies or other investigative techniques. Investigate, formulate, and/or develop new protocols, procedures, techniques or applications of technology to advanced and highly complex research. Ensure that research methodologies and instruments meet applicable ethical and regulatory standards. Assess the need, refine and adapt research methodologies and instruments as the project progresses, and direct and implement any necessary adaptations. Data capture, maintenance and access. Develop data security and integrity strategies. Data analysis. Develop data analysis plans. Monitor data on an ongoing basis. Project management. Manage and motivate the project team. Oversee induction, training, guidance and supervision of students and research staff. Provide guidance as required to staff and students assisting with the research. Delegate project tasks; monitor progress. Allocate and manage laboratory space, equipment, and technical resources. Monitor the project budget, including comparison of actual versus project expenditures. Identify and anticipate potential financial problems. Compare project progress to expenditures to assess feasibility of completing project on time and on budget. Monitor, measure, and review project performance. Identify and anticipate research problems; develop, assess and implement strategies to avoid or correct problems. Adjust project plans as appropriate and as project progresses. Provide expert advice and solutions to research staff and students on research methodologies, techniques, and their application, and on the analysis and interpretation of data. Plan, develop and implement complex and dynamic web sites for publication of large electronic resources. Provide expertise and participate in the negotiation of collaborative and partnership agreements. Coordinate information management. Ensure that all internal and external reporting obligations are met. Assure timely completion of studies. Establish and maintain relationships with project stakeholders to optimize performance of research program and projects. Liaise with project stakeholders, including sponsors, partners, etc. Project administration. Oversee all project administrative functions. Write up and submit research results for publication or presentation. Write up independent research results and communicate research results within the research group, at meetings through publications and other recognized avenues as appropriate. Organize and/or participate in information dissemination activities. Conceive, oversee the organization of, and implement research dissemination events including conferences, seminars and workshops. Attend and contribute to relevant research and research dissemination meetings. Present and disseminate results, both orally and in writing. Promote application and impact of research work and results. Promote application of research results by advising external bodies on social policy; contributing to public engagement activities; informing public debate; coordinating multidisciplinary knowledge exchange activities; offering research‑based briefings; providing historical and cultural expertise; providing new interpretations of art works and the social, political and aesthetic contexts in which they were created, performed or displayed; curating art exhibitions and editing the accompanying exhibition catalogues. Knowledge, Experience and Skills Ph.D. in public policy, sociology, or a relevant discipline with a focus on housing and homelessness and at least five years of practical experience as a senior researcher, or M.Sc. with several years (5‑7) of job‑related work experience. One to two years of management or project management experience. Excellent organizational, leadership, problem‑solving and analytical skills. Judgment in choosing best protocol/adapting procedures to meet changing needs. Computer skills to aid in research, analysis and data presentation. Excellent interpersonal, technical, scientific and communications skills (written/oral). Ability to collaborate with/or manage teams and people. Experience working with stakeholders to design, author, manage qualitative studies. Bilingualism, French and English, spoken and written, is required. Interprets and synthesizes results to identify key insights and trends that inform housing policy, program design, and community practice. Key Competencies at uOttawa Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities. Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Proactive and self‑starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever possible. Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. Anticipate and identify needs of internal and external clients and find solutions. Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other team members to reach common goals. Accept and give constructive feedback. Adjust behavior to reach team objectives. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation and creativity fuel our pursuit of research and teaching excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier‑free work environment. The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodations during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes. Applicants with disabilities may contact hrtalentmanagement@uottawa.ca to communicate the accommodation need. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Union Position Note Note: if this is a union position, the hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above. Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid‑19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid‑19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts. Other Job Details Seniority Level: Mid‑Senior Level Employment Type: Full‑time Job Function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology Industry: Higher Education #J-18808-Ljbffr