Program Coordinator, Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program

University of Guelph•Guelph, ON

26d•Hybrid

About The Position

The NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program “eSENSORs: Training Future Leaders in Next-Generation Environmental Sensors for Real-Time Water Monitoring and Control” is a six-year, $1.65 million initiative led by Dr. David McCarthy at the University of Guelph, in partnership with McMaster University and Université Laval. The program will train 50 highly qualified personnel (HQP), including undergraduates, Master’s students, PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows, in IoT-based environmental sensing, real-time water monitoring, data analytics, and sensor-to-market translation. The Program Coordinator is a critical operational and strategic role within the eSENSORs CREATE program. The Coordinator works closely with the Program Director (Dr. McCarthy), co-applicants at McMaster and Laval, and the Program Committee to oversee daily operations and ensure the program delivers on all training, administrative, budgetary, and evaluation objectives. This is an exciting opportunity to help build and launch a national training program from the ground up, shaping how the next generation of environmental sensing professionals are developed in Canada.

Requirements

2 years of post-secondary education (business administration, project management, or related program) with some experience in a similar coordinator role required.
Demonstrated experience developing program documentation such as handbooks, guides, policy documents, and training materials.
Demonstrated experience in remote and in-person event planning and management.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate complex logistics across multiple institutions and time zones.
Experience working with and supporting graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, or early-career researchers.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with CREATE program requirements, NSERC reporting standards, and the Tri-Agency Guide on Financial Administration.
Experience with Mitacs programs, student mobility exchanges, or international academic partnerships.
Experience with experiential learning formats, LMSs (Learning Management Systems), and/or coordinating multi-institutional or national training programs, would be considered an asset.
Experience in human resource management, principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), knowledge mobilization, and/or research translation would be assets.
Background or working knowledge in sensors, IoT technologies, water quality monitoring, and/or environmental engineering, which would be a significant asset in supporting HQP and communicating with technical collaborators.
Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset given program partnerships across Canada.
Ability to travel between participating institutions, as needed.

Responsibilities

Develop a comprehensive Program Guide for HQP that clearly outlines the application and onboarding process, funding models and stipend structures, co-supervision expectations, exchange and internship eligibility and procedures, program rules and trainee obligations.
Support the establishment of the governance structure, including coordinating the formation and meetings of the Program Committee, drafting terms of reference, and setting up reporting and decision-making processes.
Coordinate the HQP recruitment and selection process in collaboration with the Program Director and co-applicants, including developing inclusive job postings, evaluation rubrics, and interview protocols aligned with EDI best practices.
Acting as a point of contact for a diverse group of program stakeholders, including academic faculty and research administrative staff, HQP, and national and international industry partners and academic collaborators.
In collaboration with content experts, develop technical training resources such as workshops and other knowledge mobilization (KMb) materials.
Coordinate logistics for training elements including technical and professional development workshops, field courses, distinguished seminar series, mobility exchanges and internships, and an annual conference (starting in year 2).
Facilitate industry placements, including liaising with domestic and international partner organizations, supporting travel logistics, and coordinating supplementary funding for internships when applicable (e.g., Mitacs).
Prepare and circulate regular program updates for faculty, HQP, and partners; maintain the program calendar and communications infrastructure.
Maintain a public-facing resource for program updates and resources (e.g. website).
Track HQP activities: e.g., participation and completion of mandatory training elements, mobility milestones, pre/post workshop assessments.
Maintain the program evaluation framework to ensure program deliverables are met and to allow for a metrics-based assessment of the program’s performance against stated objectives. This may include longitudinal outcome tracking for program alumni (e.g. employment, salary, employer satisfaction).
Ensure that grant funds are being used in accordance with the eSENSORs budget and NSERC eligible expense guidelines.
Prepare semi-annual and annual progress reports for the Program Committee and NSERC.