Research Assistant, Cameco Chair in Indigenous Health & Wellness, College of Medicine

University of Saskatchewan • Saskatoon, SK

1d • CA$29,933 - CA$41,184 • Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides research and administrative support to Mitewekan, an undertaking of Pewaseskwan (the Indigenous Wellness Research Group). Mitewekan comprises Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Holders, individuals with lived/living experience of health conditions, and Indigenous and allied health leaders from across Canada. Its purpose is to guide existing and new research collaborations focused on contextualizing and adapting healthcare and research to be culturally safe and responsive. The role requires knowledge and skills in academic and community-engaged research and research administration, and is suited for someone who can work independently and collaboratively, possesses strong organizational and analytical skills, and can effectively manage priorities and deadlines. The team utilizes a hybrid work model, balancing on-campus, remote, and community-based work.

Requirements

• Completed a post-secondary degree in a social or health science field with significant research-based courses and hands-on project implementation and research experience.
• Working knowledge of project implementation and research processes.
• Experience conducting research with human participants with strong adherence to ethical standards.
• Experience facilitating research data collection (interviews, focus groups, sharing circles, etc.).
• Familiarity with administrative duties necessary for research with human participants (e.g., scheduling data collection activities, research-related record keeping, admin support for research meetings, etc.).
• Experience with written and oral communications of research processes and outcomes for academic and lay/community audiences (e.g., reports, manuscripts, presentations).
• Competency with available software, including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Takes initiative and is self-directed in independent work but can also effectively collaborate and communicate with teammates from diverse backgrounds and education/experiences.
• Can take direction and feedback/guidance from others (i.e., supervisors, academics, team members, and community partners).
• Demonstrates a high standard of professionalism with the ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters diplomatically and discreetly.
• Can carry out duties efficiently and accurately with minimal supervision/oversight.
• Can ensure compliance with ethical, community, and institutional processes, practices, and policies (e.g., TCPS2, HIPA, OCAP).
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Has practical verbal and written communication skills and can communicate clearly with people from different backgrounds and education levels.
• Has a proven ability to navigate multiple responsibilities with competing demands and deadlines.
• Is flexible and can adapt to changing priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with or knowledge of arts-, land- and cultural-based research activities (i.e., photovoice, Indigenous body mapping, research through land and cultural activities).
• Competency using NVivo for qualitative research data management, analysis, and interpretation.
• Experience conducting environmental scans, research summaries, and reviews of academic and grey literature, including working with academic databases and web-based searches.
• Knowledge of and experience in Indigenous health research, including ethical considerations and Indigenous principles and approaches to research.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, including knowledge of community protocols and Indigenous ways of knowing.
• Experience with the policies and processes of the University of Saskatchewan.

Responsibilities

• Assist in overseeing project deliverables and perform various project duties, including scheduling, documentation, resource management, and project reporting.
• Coordinate, participate in, and contribute to Mitewekan and internal team meetings.
• Collaborate with the project team, including the project lead, research assistants, post-doctoral fellows, and community-based project assistants on project activities.
• Act as a project representative and liaise with various stakeholders, including Mitewekan members, partnering communities, and community-based organizations.
• Develop and maintain good community engagement and relationship-building.
• Assist with project communications, including reporting and identifying and carrying out knowledge translation opportunities and activities with academic and community partners.
• Assist in the preparation of reports, manuscripts, posters, and presentations.
• Assist with researching or investigating additional funding source opportunities.
• Assist in developing funding applications and ensure all funding applications are complete and submitted appropriately, seeking information and clarification as required.
• Assist in the delivery of a wide range of projects within the mandate of Mitewekan.
• Work with the project team in managing timelines to ensure projects are completed on time.
• Assist with monitoring the scope of work so proper support to the project team can be provided.
• Schedule and coordinate data collection sessions (individual interviews and sharing circles), track participants, and ensure necessary records are kept updated and in good order.
• Enact data collection protocols (interviews, sharing circles, questionnaires) in adherence to approved ethics protocols.
• Facilitate secure transfer and storage of research recordings and raw data (demographics, questionnaires) per ethics protocols.
• Use SPSS, NVivo, or other research data management software to input/import and organize quantitative and qualitative data.

Benefits

• Term 2 with the possibility of extension
• The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $29,932.50 - 41,184.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree