Women's Health Alberta Research Associate

This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement, this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $76,135 to $104,709. This position has an initial appointment of 2 years.

Location - This role can be remote, but the successful applicant must reside in Edmonton or Calgary and be able to meet in-person within their city of residence.

The Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI) was founded in 2006 as a partnership between the University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, with core strategic funding from the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation (SCHF) and the Alberta Women's Hospital Foundation (RAHF/AWHF). Through the generous contributions of both foundations, WCHRI has been able to support the research excellence, training and development activities of investigators from a wide range of clinical and academic disciplines, all focusing their efforts on improving health outcomes for women and children in our province.

WCHRI is the only research institute in Canada - and one of the few in the world - to focus on women's and children's health, including perinatal health. The Institute is considered to be a national authority and leader in women's and children's health issues. The scope and complexity of WCHRI is extensive -supporting over 430 members from 14 faculties and three colleges across the University of Alberta.

The Research Associate, Women's Health is a 2-year funded position, reporting to the WCHRI Program Director, but working closely with AHS partners, including but not limited to the leadership of Women's Health Alberta (WHA) at Acute Care Alberta, health system Data and Analytics, and academic data experts. Under the guidance of WHA operational and medical leadership, the position will lead the development and implementation of a Provincial Obstetrics Survey System for Alberta; produce key project deliverables; and respond to reporting requests, as needed. This project forms a key part of WHA's efforts to optimize obstetrical data in the province and ensure equitable, safety-focused care for all women. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to the WHA's focus on transforming women's health through data-driven evidence, research, and system-level change. The Obstetrics Survey System will act as a foundational resource for measuring outcomes, guiding implementation strategies, embedding quality improvement into care systems, and as a future dataset for obstetrical health systems research.

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is one of the world's top academic health science centres. With 21 departments, multiple research institutes and centres, and a focus on excellence in education, research, and clinical care, the faculty trains outstanding medical and dental professionals and drives global health innovation in collaboration with partners across sectors.

• Provide management for the Provincial Obstetrics Survey System Project: create and execute a project work plan (revise as needed); track activity/progress and meet timelines and deliverables; develop terms of reference for the project and lead partners and interest holders; develop standardized forms and reporting measures to support the goals of the obstetrical data optimization project.
• Design and refine outcome measures for obstetric care to address critical data gaps, enhance research capabilities, and inform improvements in care delivery; create strategies for effective evaluation of outcomes using Quality Assessment methodologies; use the Obstetrics Survey System to address variance in standards of care between rural and urban to improve equities in service delivery aligning with best practice and guidelines.
• Work with WHA and the established key partners and interest holders. Develop working groups as required and maintain relationships with key partners and interest holders for the duration of the project to keep momentum and to keep it on track according to timelines. Collaborate with other key partners as the project develops.
• Write a research protocol for the work to be undertaken, using appropriate methodologies; carry out data collection and analysis using applicable qualitative and quantitative techniques; identify opportunities for publication, considering the need for research ethics board approval.
• Systematically review the literature to identify case definitions for relevant populations and key performance indicators (KPIs) using existing clinical and administrative data holdings. Identify recommendations for how the work and resulting deliverables can be applied to other areas of women's health.

• Develop reports and documentation as required: documents and presentations for use by WHA, health service providers, provincial health agencies, and other interest holders as applicable; final report(s); peer-reviewed publications as appropriate; other required reports in collaboration with project managers and teams within WHA.

• Graduate degree in health, information management, social sciences or other related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Minimum of 3-5 years progressive experience in conducting research and/or evaluation projects in academic and/or health system environments.
• Strong foundation in health outcome measurement, quality improvement, and implementation strategies.
• Knowledge of health system data assets, and methods for literature review, qualitative and quantitative research and their appropriate application.
• Experience with applied research or evidence generation in the health system and/or research based on specific objectives identified by organizational leadership.
• Knowledge of research ethics and ARECCI in a healthcare system environment.
• Commitment to equity-focused research and patient-centered care.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining effective working partnerships with internal and external interest holders (health system leaders, health care providers, government, university, patient and family partners).
• Exhibit personal characteristics of self-confidence, persistence, integrity, leadership, team building, enthusiasm, and being approachable and personable.
• Experience with facilitation, negotiation, problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to produce project deliverables that are high quality and on time.
• Extensive experience supporting the understanding and use of research findings, including facilitating critical reflection of findings, interpreting learnings, and supporting the capacity to respond appropriately to the findings.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational capacity and the ability to manage multiple components simultaneously.
• Previous experience with obstetrical care and associated health issues, working with multiple collaborators, including patient and family partners.
• Familiarity with patient safety/Quality Improvement approaches.
• Experience with health registries, large datasets, or health systems research is an asset.
• Experience with Canva, Visio, or other design software.

Application Instructions

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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.