Research Project Manager

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 $95,184. This position has an initial appointment of 3 years.

The Research Project Manager applies extensive knowledge and expertise in public health and community-led research to independently lead a distinct component of complex research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI). The Research Associate provides leadership in project planning, methodology, data collection, analysis, and knowledge mobilization, while mentoring research staff and students. This position exercises advanced judgment, contributes to shaping research direction, manages project resources, and ensures the strategic alignment of research activities with organizational and community priorities.

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.

Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight to a three-year multi-component climate-health knowledge mobilization project involving diverse stakeholders, including health system actors, Indigenous organizations, government agencies, and representatives from civil society.
• Guide the direction and implementation of project activities across three domains for a total of 12 activity areas to support achievement of the PI's strategic vision and objectives.
• Ensure project activities are implemented in alignment with core principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA), championing these principles in all aspects of project design, implementation, and engagement.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders at local, provincial, and regional levels.
• Identify, assess, and plan to address internal and external risks that arise across project domains, including those involving public-facing activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and reporting lead to the Funder, ensuring timely communication, accountability, and alignment with funding requirements.
• Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the project with local and provincial decision makers, senior bureaucrats, and other stakeholders to advance project goals and objectives.
• Represent the project at local, provincial, and regional events to enhance the project's profile and the uptake of knowledge mobilization outputs.
• Foster an efficient, effective, and supportive work environment for all project staff and students.

Project management and knowledge mobilization

• Determines, anticipates, and coordinates the project workflow across 12 activity streams, applying strong project management skills to ensure activities remain on track and in alignment with strategic objectives.
• Apply significant knowledge mobilization expertise to oversee and support the development of project outputs, providing guidance and support to project staff, students, and researchers.
• Serve as co-chair of the organizing committee for each of the 12 project streams, with each committee comprised of at least one health sector member, one health-determining sector member, one researcher, one practitioner, and one young person.
• Develop, implement, and monitor action plans and workplans for all project activity streams.
• Monitor the day-to-day delivery of project and knowledge mobilization activities, including the development of project outputs and science communication material, to ensure quality.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing with project partners, the academic community, and other stakeholders.

Research and evaluation

• Coordinate with multi-disciplinary research teams and students to design and implement knowledge mobilization activities and related outputs (e.g., evidence-based social media content, toolkits, workshops, and in-person events).
• In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, oversee the refinement and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan for the project, ensuring findings are summarized in accessible and sharable ways.
• Support the design of data collection protocols, administrative procedures, and ethics approvals for related research and evaluation activities. Oversee participant recruitment, data collection, and analysis as required.
• Participate in the preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts, including timely submission and response to journal requirements.

Human resources planning and management

• Oversee the hiring of graduate research assistants and student interns.
• Recruit, interview, and select staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to support the project's strategic direction, while providing an opportunity for professional development and growth.
• Ensure the implementation of human resource policies, procedures, and practices including the development of job descriptions for staff.
• Mentor graduate student staff, interns, and students, fostering a collaborative and productive research environment.
• Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations.

Financial planning and management

• Ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed.
• Accountable for fiscal management of the project including budget development and expenditure, supported by the PI.
• Administer project funds according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the project.
• Provide the funder with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditure of the project.

Stakeholder engagement

• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, and other organizations to achieve project goals, including the Climate Change & Health Hub at the University of Alberta, Indigenous organizations, ClimateWest, The City of Edmonton, Health Canada, local grassroots organizations, and others.
• Act as a resource for climate-health information for project stakeholders.
• Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the project and related activities.

Knowledge

• Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, health sciences, or a relevant social science, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience developing and implementing multi-component, collaborative knowledge mobilization initiatives involving diverse stakeholders.
• Strong interest in and experience with collaborative, transdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral research approaches.
• Significant experience evaluating complex, multi-component initiatives.
• Expertise in planning and executing collaborative engagement activities tailored to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated expertise in science communication, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear messaging for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to navigate strategic and operational risks in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in research and evaluation.
• Experience supervising undergraduate and/or graduate trainees.

Skills

• Advanced project management skills, including multi-site coordination, budget management, and resource allocation.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with the ability to present complex findings to diverse audiences.
• Expertise in grant writing, research funding applications, and dissemination of results.
• Mentorship and supervisory skills for guiding research staff, students, and post-doctoral fellows.
• Authorship/co-authorship skills for research papers and other research dissemination tools.

Abilities

• Ability to independently lead research components and shape the direction of research projects under PI supervision.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and build sustainable research partnerships.
• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate advanced research methodologies and protocols.
• Ability to synthesize, interpret, and communicate complex data to inform research decisions and publications.

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.

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.