Department: Faculty of Science 

Job Type: Limited Term

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Principle Investigator, Dr. Andrew Spring

Employee Group: PAG 

Application Deadline: August 18, 2025

Requisition ID: 10156 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict.  Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Position Summary

The Future Harvest Partnership is a multi-year collaboration between Wilfrid Laurier University, the Territorial Agrifood Association (TAA) and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). Supported by an interdisciplinary team of leading academics from across North America, and informed by Indigenous Governments and traditional knowledge, the Partnership engages with food producers and local communities of the Northwest Territories to co-create research and generate useful insights for innovation and policy that can inform the development of a climate-resilient local food system.

 The Research Project Coordinator is directly responsible for a variety of research and administrative activities of the Future Harvest Partnership project at Wilfrid Laurier University. The Research Project Coordinator functions as the primary administrator connecting partners and researchers on the project, supporting the Principal Investigator, the project management team, and the research team. Future Harvest Partnership is a multi-disciplinary, co-led undertaking, with direct participation of research staff and students, and requiring close liaison with its partners. This position is an important link in a chain that ensures uninterrupted progress and information flow between members of the project and external contacts. 

Accountabilities

Research network coordination:

• Coordinates meetings, travel and some administrative activities of the Future Harvest Partnership project.
• Organizes and monitors key projects to ensure objectives are met in a timely manner, and scheduling for the teams described above.
• Edits research proposals, reports, papers, and website content. Assists with the preparation of collaborative proposals and reports involving the integration and harmonization of contributions from co-investigators.
• Provides general assistance to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, including assisting with the preparation of paperwork, presentations, proofreading documents, identification of resources, and issues related to the acquisition of materials and supplies.

Events and Coordination Activities:

• Responsible for event planning and organization. This includes assuming substantial responsibility for planning and ensuring the success of both virtual and in-person meetings and trainings.
• Develops and maintains the project’s internal folders to facilitate file sharing, responsible data storage, critical internal communications.
• Assists with the development and coordination of infographics and conference presentations.

Financial Management:

• Supports the financial administration of all research grants and contracts for the Future Harvest Partnership in accordance with relevant university policies and negotiated agreements. Specific responsibilities include financial forecasting, monitoring of accounts, authorization of expenditures, reconciliation, establishment of payroll, etc.

• Supports financial reporting as required by funding agencies. Works with the Principal Investigator and Finance to ensure that partner cash and in-kind contributions are documented. Provides guidance/advice to partners and other research staff on financial rules and policies. Ensures that researchers and partners are compliant with Laurier research finances policies and procedures and those set forth by external granting agencies.

• Human Resources:

• Acts as a liaison between the Principal Investigator, the Department, and Human Resources on issues relating to research staff personnel (e.g., research associates, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students). Specific duties include preparation of job descriptions, advertising of research positions, assisting partners in the hiring process, and performance evaluations.
• Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator, the incumbent provides direction to research personnel.

Other:

• Stays up to date on changes in granting agency regulations, University policies and procedures, research administration practices, and new technology or programs.
• Maintain procedures and documentation pertaining to the responsibilities of the position.
• Attend all training on new systems and procedures, and meetings as required.
• Support research data collection and coordination, as needed.
• Other related tasks, as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of administrative and project coordination experience preferably in a post-secondary environment.
• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in qualitative and quantitative research.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to identify needs, propose options and implement solutions.
• Experience with large collaborative projects is an asset.

This position has not been deemed eligible for educational equivalencies. 

Hours of Work: The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement, as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. In-person attendance for events, as required to meet operational needs, is expected. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements. 

Compensation: 

Hourly Rate: $42.32 to $44.7 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $48.37 per hour.  Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job. 

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.