Research Associate

Contenuto del lavoro

About Queen’s University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.
We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.
Come work with us!
Job Summary
Reporting to the Principal Investigator (PI), and receiving work direction from the National Project Manager, the Research Associate is responsible for the coordination and administration of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study. The Research Associate plans and coordinates workflow of the HBSC study’s activities, ensuring compliance with safety and ethical guidelines, organizing study procedures, obtaining necessary approvals and consents, recruiting participants completing jurisdictional and research committee applications, preparing and editing data collection and recruitment documents, and following up with schools to facilitate completion of the survey. The Research Associate supports the research process by performing key tasks including: review of relevant published literature, preparation of written summaries of literature reviews; collection, storage and analysis of research data; participation in study design and optimization; use of independent judgement to adapt procedures as needed; and communicating research results. This position will act as the key study communicator, liaison and resource person with external agencies and institutions regarding project research, and also participate in team meetings, develop and prepare reports and presentations and assist in supervising and advising on work of casual and student research staff.
Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and oversee participant recruitment by developing and maintaining professional relationships and connections within the industry and recruiting school jurisdictions and schools to participate in education research. Shares information to promote and increase awareness of the HBSC Study, and participates in development and implementation of participant recruitment strategies.
• Coordinate, collect and compile supporting information for the submission of ethics applications, amendments, renewals and related reports for research projects; ensuring that applications are complete, accurate, and meet the objectives of the funding agency, application guidelines, timelines, and partner organizations ethics requirements. Responsible for tracking progress and following up on applications. The incumbent may be required to communicate with agencies on behalf of PIs with regard to funding opportunities, to resolve research inquiries, to clarify policies, and to receive research results.
• Assess study-related data and supporting documentation to track study progress, verify and provide follow up with recruited school jurisdictions and schools to facilitate completion of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, which is targeting a sample of 25,000 student participants from across Canada in the 2021/22 school year.
• Apply an understanding of community-based participatory research methodology, data collection and analysis in order to contribute to the design, development and implementation of research protocols for the HSBC Study. Work independently within guidelines provided by the PI and National Project Manager, ensuring procedures and protocols are being met. Independent judgement is required to adapt or modify protocols to meet the needs of the research project.
• Coordinate and support the Project Manager in planning project management team activities and meetings, participate in team meetings, providing regular updates on the HBSC study, create agendas and prepare and coordinate supporting documents, and follow-up on action items as necessary.
• Support the National Project Manager in carrying out project plans within allocated budgets, ensuring project deadlines are met, including assisting with the routine project activities such as assist with preparation of quarterly and annual reports to funding agencies, contributing to grants and publications on research.
• Act as the administrative liaison, communicator and resource person for the HBSC Study. Respond to participant queries and resolve problems related to the study, and respond to requests for information, providing consultation to others regarding the organization and methodology of the study.
• Collaborate on solutions to improve existing processes, and lead the implementation of solutions.
• Assists the Project Manager and PI in providing work direction, and technical/functional guidance to casual and student research staff, scheduling and assigning work, and oversee its completion.
• Undertake other duties as required in support of the project.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field, preferably in Education.
• Previous experience (minimum 3 to 5 years) working in an academic research environment.
• Teaching or administrative experience at the elementary and/or secondary level is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of education/training in research techniques.
• Experience working in administrative aspects of a research environment, including conducting research and analysis.
• Bilingual (French and English) is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of university structure including policies, procedures and administrative systems considered an asset.
• Consideration given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Respect diversity and promotes inclusion in the workplace.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Exposure to education/training in research techniques.
• Organizational and time-management skills. Ability to multi-task, deal with multiple demands, focus under pressure, as well as the capacity to take initiative to assess and establish priorities while working in an environment with frequent interruptions and strict deadlines.
• Good judgment, discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive administrative and research (including financial) information, with the ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Office and computer skills including excellent knowledge of word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and database applications to aid in the research, analysis and presentation of data.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, to lead recruiting, deal with a diverse variety of individuals in a professional manner and to provide clear and accurate information.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a large multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong problem-solving, and analytical skills, with the ability to assess unexpected problems as they arise, adapt quickly to changing circumstances and procedures and make accommodations or suggest solutions. Refers complex problems to the PI and Project Manager.
• Well-developed data management and research skills, including the ability to locate, review, synthesize and summarize relevant research information.
• Supervisory and leadership skills to provide direction and instruction to students and junior staff with the ability to coordinate workflow.
• Familiarity with data analysis (qualitative and quantitative). Interviewing skills for data collection.

DECISION MAKING:

• Use judgement and personal initiative to decide when and how to adapt research protocols as required to meet the needs of the study, make suggestions on data collection, presentation of results and coordination of activities.
• Decide how to distribute information, what method to use, and who to send it to.
• Determine appropriate response to research inquiries and general enquiries, providing reasonable answers, or a means to find an answer if necessary. Decide when new information calls for further action such as distribution or verification, and redirects problems to Project Manager or Principal Investigator.
• Determine when amendments to ethics approvals are required.
• Determine work priorities and prioritize most efficient use of resources. Determine which project task activities require the most attention within established guidelines.
• Determine how to deal with problems. Decide if problem can be resolved personally or if Project Manager, PI or other personnel should be involved.
• Allocate work to junior staff and students based on research activity schedule, and determine which tasks are most appropriate to delegate.
• Determine best way to handle minor methodological deviations.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
The University provides support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca .