University-based Research Associate in Indigenous Health with Metis Settlements

Competition 1471

This position is a 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 an approximate appointment end date of September 30, 2025, and offers a comprehensive benefits package found at Faculty & Staff Benefits and an annual salary range of $76,135 - $104,709.

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton. This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person.

Working at the University of Alberta

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

Position Summary

This is a one-year position with the possibility of extension.  This position supports a grant-funded Metis Settlement Implementation Science research project in conducting independent research, stakeholder and partnership engagement, research conceptualization, knowledge translation, and management of day-to-day operations and research activities of a multi-year project aimed at improving access to and quality of healthcare in the eight Metis Settlements. 

The Research Associate works closely with the Adjunct Assistant Professor, academic co-investigators, and the Metis Settlements Health Board and community members to carry out high-level, community-based research studies with the Metis Settlements. The research involves extensive face-to-face collaboration with the Metis Settlements leaders, Elders, knowledge keepers, and community members. They help to identify and apply for new funding opportunities, contribute to the writing of manuscripts and community reports, and help to ensure all deliverables are met in a complex co-designed implementation science project. They work closely with and supervise community-based research assistants and graduate students to develop and maintain ethics approvals, conduct community engagement and relationship building, collect and analyze data (qualitative and quantitative), manage academically oriented knowledge translation strategies, and engage in the dissemination of research findings. 

This position works with a high degree of independence in all job responsibilities described below, and undertakes a diversity of tasks requiring complexity in judgment. 

Duties 

• Leads efforts to engage the Metis Settlements, and build respectful and trusting relationships within the communities.
• Works collaboratively with the Adjunct Assistant Professor, academic co-investigators, and the Metis Settlements Health Board and community members to design and conduct a complex implementation science research project specifically as it relates to Metis Settlements health and healthcare.
• Leads efforts to collect, analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
• Organizes, plans, and leads multiple series of face-to-face and virtual meetings with various project partners (e.g., academic partners, community partners, Elders and knowledge keepers, health system partners, etc.).
• Travels to the eight Metis Settlements in northern Alberta regularly to conduct and coordinate research activities, including community engagement, research participant recruiting, project promotion, local staff/volunteer training and supervision, data collection, reporting, etc.
• Writes ethics submissions for research studies, obtains community approval and support, determines need and undertakes ethics amendments regarding study protocol changes, manages ethics approval renewals, and responds to issues arising from ethics reviews.
• Writes research papers and supports the preparation of research grant applications and contract proposals guided by the Adjunct Assistant Professor, academic co-investigators, and the Metis Settlements Health Board and community members.
• Supervises local research assistants and supports and guides graduate students.
• Develops and documents research methods and protocols in consultation with the Adjunct Assistant Professor, academic co-investigators, and the Metis Settlements Health Board and community members.
• Communicates regularly with the Adjunct Assistant Professor regarding the progress of projects, tasks, and budgets, and reviews adjustments as needed.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in health-related discipline (e.g., Community or Public Health; Indigenous health preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research, including mixed-methods research.
• Minimum of 3 years working collaboratively with Indigenous communities (Metis Settlements preferred) on research projects.
• Minimum of 3 years experience managing multiple projects and/or multi-site projects, including demonstrated leadership and project management skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in implementation science, Indigenous health, health services research, and social determinants of health.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills with a proven track record of manuscript publication, conference presentations, and media activities.
• Excellent community engagement experience and skills.
• Experience with ethics submissions and leading research teams.
• Knowledge and experience implementing the Tri-Council Policy Statement - Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada.
• Knowledge and experience with statistical software such as Atlas.ti, NVivo, STATA, SPSS, and other relevant tools.