Postdoctoral Fellow, Knowledge Mobilization

This position is part of the Post Doctoral Fellows Association and has an initial appointment of 1 year.

This position has a comprehensive benefits package.

Location - This role is in-person. A hybrid arrangement may be considered.

The Collaborative Applied Research for Equity in Health Policy and Systems (CARE) Lab, situated within the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta, is seeking a highly motivated and qualified Postdoctoral Scholar to join our dynamic and interdisciplinary team. This position provides a valuable opportunity to engage in applied, transdisciplinary, community-driven health systems research and implementation science that promotes equity in primary health care and enhances capacity for knowledge mobilization and implementation. The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Stephanie Montesanti, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Health System Integration, and an established team of researchers, community partners, and health system collaborators on multi-year funded projects designed to advance Indigenous primary health care through effective, context-specific knowledge mobilization and translation and implementation science.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will lead and contribute to efforts that bridge research, policy, and practice—ensuring that research evidence is co-created, accessible, and actionable for communities, practitioners, and policy-makers. Working within a growing team that includes a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist, a Postdoctoral Scholar in Implementation Science, Research Coordinators, and graduate students, the Scholar will advance research for Learning Health System (LHS) and equity-centred implementation initiatives across several major CIHR-funded projects in the area of Indigenous primary health care.

Key Areas of Focus

The Postdoctoral Scholar's program of research will contribute to:

• Indigenous Support Hub Project: Co-designing an Indigenous Support Hub model to enhance learning and build structural competency among primary care clinicians in Alberta
• Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) Alberta: Indigenous Primary Health Care and Policy Research (IPHCPR) Network: Advancing implementation science, knowledge synthesis, and evaluation of Indigenous primary health care innovations, as well as an Indigenous-informed Learning Health System (LHS) framework
• National Women's Health Research Initiative (NWHRI): Co-developing an implementation strategy for an Indigenous-led perinatal mobile clinic to improve access and continuity of reproductive care for northern, rural, and remote communities
• Other additional CARE Lab projects as they may arise

The School of Public Health 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.

Knowledge Mobilization and Research

• Lead, design, and evaluate knowledge mobilization and implementation strategies across community, health system, and policy sectors.
• Advance scholarship on equity-centred and Indigenous-led approaches to knowledge mobilization, including examining theories, frameworks, and processes that support ethical and effective knowledge exchange.
• Advance scholarship on Indigenous perspectives on Learning Health Systems (LHS)
• Conduct participatory, co-designed research involving co-production, co-implementation of knowledge with community, health system, policy, and academic partners.
• Engage meaningfully with Indigenous, rural and northern communities, integrating principles of CARE, OCAP, and FAIR throughout all stages of research and dissemination.
• Collaborate with and seek support from key partners that the Principal Investigator works closely with, including the Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit's Learning Health System (LHS) Team, when designing knowledge mobilization products

Knowledge Synthesis and Dissemination

• Conduct knowledge syntheses using diverse approaches, including scoping and evidence reviews, environmental scans, and consensus-based dialogues or meetings with expert reference panels.
• Translate research evidence into accessible knowledge products such as policy briefs, infographics, toolkits, videos, reports, and info sheets tailored to different audiences.
• Organize and facilitate community workshops and other knowledge co-creation events.

Evaluation, Capacity Strengthening & Partnership Development

• Evaluate the impact and reach of knowledge mobilization and implementation activities.
• Support partnership and capacity development with community and health system partners.

Scholarly Contributions

• Contribute to high-quality scholarly outputs, including manuscripts, technical reports, policy briefs, and evidence summaries.
• Support with grant applications, including coordinating partner/collaborator letters of support, and assistance with writing, organizing proposal references, and budget.
• Lead and collaborate on journal manuscripts for publishing original research findings in peer-reviewed journals and other scholarly outlets.

• Mentor graduate students and trainees as part of CARE Lab's collaborative learning environment.

• PhD in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Promotion, Implementation Science, or a related discipline (completed within the past five years).

• Demonstrated experience in knowledge mobilization, implementation science, community-based research, and participatory research approaches, preferably in health or social systems contexts.
• Strong familiarity with implementation science frameworks, e.g., i-PARIHS, CFIR, COM-B.
• Strong understanding of Indigenous health, health equity, and community-engaged research approaches.
• Ability to synthesize research findings and translate them into actionable, practical recommendations for various sectors.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience preparing research publications and dissemination materials.
• Experience working with diverse partners, e.g. community organizations, health system leaders, and policymakers.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

Assets:

• Certifications or training in Knowledge Mobilization, Knowledge Translation, or Implementation Science/Practice is an asset, e.g. workshops, short courses, certificate programs.
• Experience and/or familiarity with Indigenous and decolonizing research methodologies.
• Knowledge of culturally grounded approaches to engagement and dissemination.
• Knowledge of the primary health care system in Alberta.
• Digital or creative media skills for knowledge mobilization, e.g. multimedia storytelling, data visualization.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit the following:

• A two-page cover letter addressed to Dr. Stephanie Montesanti describing relevant experience, research interests, and fit with the position.
• A curriculum vitae (CV).
• Two examples of written work or knowledge mobilization products (e.g., publications, reports, briefs, toolkits).
• Contact information for two academic or professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For any questions or inquiries about the position, email

Anticipated start date in early 2026. Initial appointment may be renewed based on performance and funding.

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

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 - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L'Université de l'Alberta s'engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.