Research Coordinator

Competition 2234

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of one year plus one day from the date of hire and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

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 First Peoples 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.

Working for the Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science (AFNS)

The Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science (AFNS) offers research and teachings related to the fields of Animal Science, Food Science and Bioresource, Human Nutrition and Plant Biosystems.

AFNS offers undergraduate Bachelor of Science degrees in Agriculture, Animal Health, Agricultural/Food Business Science and Nutrition & Food Science each with a variety of majors. AFNS students can also pursue a course-based or thesis-based Master of Agriculture, Master of Science or a PhD.

Position

The University of Alberta is seeking a Research Coordinator to support the K-HANDLE CKD study, a controlled feeding trial investigating the effects of potassium from minimally processed and ultra-processed foods on potassium balance in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Research Coordinator will perform sample preparation for nutrient content analysis, assist in menu development and test-running recipes, oversee participant recruitment and dietary intervention logistics.
This role requires a strong background in clinical research, controlled feeding studies, and food preparation for dietary studies. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in maintaining study compliance, ensuring participant safety, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary research team.

Duties

1. Study Coordination & Implementation (40%)

• Coordinate the recruitment and screening of study participants, including pre-screening through Connect Care, obtaining informed consent, and scheduling study visits.
• Ensure strict adherence to controlled feeding protocols, overseeing the distribution and monitoring of study diets.
• Manage the randomization process for dietary intervention periods, ensuring participant compliance with food intake and reporting deviations.
• Ensure compliance with Good Clinical Practices (GCP), Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS-2), and University of Alberta Research Ethics guidelines.
• Collaborate with research staff, and kitchen personnel to facilitate menu development, food preparation, and adherence tracking.
• Test-run menu recipes to ensure feasibility and palatability for participants.

2. Food Sample Preparation & Nutrient Analysis (25%)

• Assist in menu development and food sample preparation for freeze-drying and mineral composition analysis.
• Ensure consistency in food preparation and nutrient composition across dietary phases.
• Work with laboratory teams to analyze mineral content of food samples.
• Maintain strict quality control procedures in food handling and preparation to ensure nutrient consistency in controlled diets.

3. Clinical & Laboratory Support (20%)

• Perform phlebotomy (venipuncture) for blood sample collection at designated time points in accordance with study protocols.
• Assist in collecting urine and stool samples, ensuring adherence to sample handling and storage protocols.
• Monitor participants’ fluid balance, blood pressure, body composition, and biochemical markers during the dietary intervention.
• Ensure participant safety by conducting regular assessments and reporting adverse events to the principal investigators and safety board.
• Oversee meal test procedures, including post-prandial blood draws.

4. Data Management & Reporting (15%)

• Maintain accurate study logs, electronic data capture systems (e.g., REDCap), and regulatory documentation.
• Prepare and submit ethics applications, amendments, and progress reports for regulatory bodies.
• Assist in data collection, quality assurance, and preliminary data analysis.
• Generate progress reports for investigators, sponsors, and funding agencies, ensuring transparency in study milestones and compliance with funding agreements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a health-related field (e.g., Nutrition, Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health).
• Phlebotomy certification with hands-on experience in venipuncture.
• Experience in controlled feeding studies.
• Strong knowledge of clinical trial coordination, participant recruitment, and study execution.
• Proficiency in data collection, management, and regulatory compliance (REDCap, Excel, SPSS, or other statistical software).
• Experience working with biochemical sample collection, processing, and storage.