Research Facilitator and Special Projects

**Research Facilitator and Special Projects Co-ordinator**:
**Primary Purpose**: To oversee the School of Rehabilitation Science (SRS) research. This includes research facilitation and coordination responsibilities across the cycle of research activities including identifying grant opportunities, proposal support, post-grant administrative support and communication of SRS research activities, successes, and related data. Additional complementary duties include related communication and special projects to support the activities of the SRS.

**Nature of Work**: This position reports directly to, and receives day-to-day direction from, the Associate Dean, School of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine (“supervisor”) The incumbent acts as a liaison between the faculty of the SRS, the College of Medicine, and University Research Units. The position determines the steps required to achieve the goals and vision of the unit, area, project, or program. This position works independently, analyzes the current needs of the unit or area, and uses a broad scope of available resources, supporting a broad-based health related research agenda while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. This position requires adaptability to fluctuating levels of work volume, working comfortably under pressure in a fast-paced environment, and balancing competing deadlines.

**Typical Duties or Accountabilities**:
**Research Funding Support**
- Attend appropriate workshops, information sessions for grant development support at USask and other provincial/national sessions.
- Assist principal investigators and their research teams with seeking appropriate grant opportunities, development of funding proposals and strategic initiatives important to the SRS, and to increase participation and success in tri-agency funding programs.
- Provide some aspects of administrative support such as budget advice and project management to faculty members preparing funding proposals pending time availability, including operational and/or institutional approvals.
- Have a working knowledge and understanding of the national and provincial funding arena and potential research funding opportunities for the University as they relate to individual faculty's areas of research.
- Working with Research Services and other research facilitators, identify and analyse research funding initiatives, align these with known and emerging research expertise and SRS faculty, and communicate these findings to individual investigators and research teams.
- Maximize success of SRS large strategic funding opportunities by supporting cross-disciplinary linkages, strong partnerships and networks between research units and with external collaborators.

**Relationship Development**
- Build effective relationships with School faculty, the Director of Physical Therapy (SRS), other staff and students to support the research mission of the SRS.
- Work in collaboration and coordination with other units across campus by establishing and maintaining excellent working relationships with colleagues.
- Assist faculty to ensure Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives (RASI) procedures and policies are implemented.
- Attend faculty and other SRS meetings as needed to discuss research opportunities, plan strategic directions, review and address any challenges.
- Actively participate/collaborate with the development of strategic and operational plans to optimize research funding opportunities and research impact.
- Collaborate with research facilitators and office of Vice-Dean Research in the College of Medicine to advance cross-college opportunities and participate in cross-campus research facilitator meetings (Forum; NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC).

**Research Supervision**
- Provide guidance for research assistants and students in the department.
- Support for recruitment and onboarding of research assistants and students in the department including ensuring all required processes are followed when hiring research staff; assist or provide oversight for other research personnel to support faculty in the budgeting, hiring and payment of research staff.

**Research Administration**
- Support tracking and maintenance of meaningful comprehensive metrics for the SRS and provide regular research update reports for meetings, communications including accreditation, annual reviews, and newsletters.
- Effectively support faculty members’ management of research funds in accordance with practices and policies established for the SRS in consultation with Finance SBA in the College of Medicine and the University.
- Facilitate submission of financial payment requests and tracking of research fund balances and end dates and ensure accurate record keeping for research funds.
- Assist in mentoring and guiding trainees and faculty in research administrative procedures.
- Meet regularly with the Director of Physical Therapy and the Associate Dean to inform their mentorship of faculty and atten