Senior Research Associate

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The Dawson Lab & uOttawa Arctic Research Hub

The University of Ottawa’s Environment, Society and Policy Group (the Dawson Lab) is seeking a Research Manager to lead its interdisciplinary Arctic research portfolio. Reporting to Lab Director Jackie Dawson, you’ll oversee major projects on climate change, sea ice, shipping and northern communities; supervise and mentor postdocs and research staff; manage reporting, ethics and field logistics; and help build new proposals and partnerships with academic, government and Indigenous collaborators. We’re looking for someone with a Master’s or PhD (or equivalent experience), 5+ years in research or project management, strong scientific writing skills, and fluency in English and French; Arctic experience and work with Inuit or Indigenous partners are strong assets. We offer competitive salary, professional development, language training and a collaborative team tackling one of the defining environmental and geopolitical challenges of our time.

Position Purpose:

Works at senior level. Translates the overarching research program objectives into operational research projects. Responsible for overseeing ongoing research within the research program scope. Independently conducts and coordinates complex projects.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

Project conceptualization / development

• Perform needs assessments and/or consult with clients in order to determine the types of research and information that are required
• Conceptualizes, plans, develops, designs and conducts complex qualitative and/or quantitative research projects
• Develops hypotheses and theories
• Identifies resources in the research and broader community to approach research challenges
• Identifies research partnership opportunities

Project definition

• Defines research objectives within a given research scope;
• Designs research projects using appropriate and creative investigative methodologies - may involve the use of quantitative and/or qualitative methods and may include both pilot and development work; Methodologies may include: surveys and questionnaires, participant observation, interviews (face-to-face, telephone and online), focus groups, literature reviews, internet-based and library research, document analysis, case studies or other investigative techniques .
• Investigates, formulates, and/or develops new protocols, procedures, techniques or applications of technology to advanced and highly complex research;
• Ensures that research methodologies and instruments meet applicable ethical and regulatory standards
• Assesses the need refines and adapts research methodologies and research instruments as the project progresses in light of results being obtained and of effectiveness of project implementation; Directs and implements any necessary adaptations

Data capture, maintenance and access

• Develops data security and integrity strategies

Data Analysis

• Develops data analysis plan(s)
• Monitors data on an ongoing basis

Project management

• Manages and motivates the project team
• Oversees induction, training, guidance and supervision of students and research staff
• Provides guidance as required to staff and students assisting with the research
• Delegates project tasks; monitors progress
• Allocates and manage laboratory space, equipment, and technical resources
• Monitors the project budget, including comparison of actual versus projects expenditures
• Monitors, measures, and reviews project performance
• Compares project progress to expenditures to assess feasibility of completing project on time and on budget
• Identifies and anticipates potential financial problems
• Identifies and anticipates research problems; develops, assesses and implements strategies to avoid or correct problems.
• Adjust project plans as appropriate and as project progresses
• Provides expert advice and solutions to research staff and students research methodologies, techniques, and their application, and on the analysis and interpretation of data
• Plans, develops and implements complex and dynamic web sites for publication of large electronic resources
• Provides expertise and participates in the negotiation of collaborative and partnership agreements
• Coordinates information management
• Ensures that all internal and external reporting obligations are met
• Assures timely completion of studies;
• Establishes and maintains relationships with project stakeholders to optimize performance of research program and projects
• Liaises with project stakeholders, include sponsors, partners, etc.

Project Administration

• Oversees all project administrative functions

Writing up and submitting research results for publication or presentation

• Writes up independent research results and communicate research results within the research group, at meetings through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate

Organize and / or participate in information dissemination activities

• Conceives, oversees the organization of, and implements research dissemination events including conferences, seminars and workshops;
• Conceives, oversees the organization of and development of material for, and implements research coordination events including conferences, seminars and workshops amongst project investigators and stakeholders
• Attend and contribute to relevant research and research dissemination meetings
• Present and disseminate results, both orally and in writing;

Promote application and impact of research work and results

• Promotes application of research results by such activities as: advising external bodies on social policy; contributing to public engagement activities as appropriate; informing public debate; coordinating multidisciplinary knowledge exchange activities; offering research-based briefings; providing historical and cultural expertise; providing new interpretations of art works and the social, political and aesthetic contexts in which they were created, performed or displayed; curating art exhibitions and editing the accompanying exhibition catalogues

Assists with any other duties required by the research project or management of the research lab.

What you will bring:

• Ph.D. in a relevant discipline and at least five years of practical experience as a senior researcher or M.Sc. with several years (5-7) of job-related work experience;
• One to two years of management or project management experience
• Excellent organizational, leadership, problem-solving and analytical skills required.
• Judgement in choosing best protocol/adapting procedures to meet changing needs.
• Computer skills to aid in research, analysis and data presentation.
• Excellent interpersonal, technical, scientific and communications skills (written/oral).
• Ability to manage teams and people
• Experience working with stakeholders to design, author, manage qualitative studies
• Advanced written and verbal skills in English or French. Bilingualism, spoken and written, is preferred.

Key Competencies at uOttawa:

Here are the required competencies for all or our employees at uOttawa:

Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.

Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.

Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.

Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.

The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment. The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes. Applicants with disabilities may contact [email protected] communicate the accommodation need. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Note: if this is a union position: The hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above; you can click here to find out more.

If this is a front-line position with responsibilities to interact with students, selected candidates must be rated at the Low Advanced proficiency level or higher for both oral comprehension and reading comprehension in their second official language. The rating is determined by a proficiency test designed by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 - Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.