Department: Office of Research Services 

Job Type: Limited Term

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

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Associate Director, Post-Award Services

Employee Group: WLUSA 

Application Deadline: July 9, 2024

Requisition ID: 8371 

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. Our locations are situated on the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishnawbe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their intentions to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming and co-curricular activities. Laurier’s Centre for Indigegogy is one example of how Laurier honours Indigenous knowledge.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Research Compliance and Strategic Initiatives the Strategic Research Initiatives Officer (SRIO) is responsible for aiding in the implementation of a variety of high priority, multi-faceted strategic projects within the Office of Research Services (ORS). They are responsible for identifying emerging issues and opportunities, advising on strategic options, recommending solutions, and implementing projects. Working closely with the Vice-President, Research (VPR), Director, ORS, and Manager, Research Compliance and Strategic Initiatives, the SRIO is responsible for strategic project management and implementation to ensure the work of the ORS can be carried out effectively and efficiently, and that the university’s Strategic Research Plan is advanced. The incumbent coordinates a number of internal awards and grant competitions, including the development of new internal awards.

Additionally, the incumbent oversees the review and approval of applications for internal administrative research projects, and ensures all projects are compliant with internal and external policies.

This position works closely with the VPR, the Director, ORS, the Manager, Research Partnerships, the Manager: Research Compliance and Strategic Initiatives, faculty, and other administrative units on Laurier’s campuses.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, the Toronto office and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities

Strategic Initiatives

• Assists with and coordinates projects and initiatives that arise through prioritization of activities within the VPR/ORS portfolio, including coordination of research initiatives and events, development of new internal awards, major institutional research opportunities, research planning and developmental activities, research benchmarking activities and communications with various internal and external research stakeholders and partners;
• Provides strategic support, information collection and monitoring in the implementation of planning and developmental activities that enhance Laurier’s research competitiveness and capacity;
• Develops effective project elements and procedures based on goals set out by the VPR and other Management staff within the ORS;
• Working closely with the Manager, Research Partnerships, and the Manager, Research Compliance and Strategic Initiatives, assists with and coordinates projects related to Laurier’s Northern research portfolio, including procedures related to field research safety, northern research events and coordination of processes and procedures across Laurier’s northern research sites;
• Provides on-going assistance, information collection support, oversight and quality assessments in identifying, communicating and implementing new research best practices and policies to both enhance research performance and administration across the university;
• Taking the necessary initiative to drive the project agenda forward and being accountable for processes and outcomes;
• Aids in the oversight the ORS Research Information systems, including system testing, data entry, quality control and reporting;
• Maintains a clear understanding of Laurier’s institutional research goals and objectives;
• Has a solid knowledge of trends in research in Canada and internationally;
• Participates actively in continuous improvement activities to enhance the effectiveness of policies, processes and systems in the ORS;

Administrative Research Review

• Reviews and approves internal administrative research projects involving students, staff, faculty, alumni and the general public, and ensures projects adhere to standard ethical norms and relevant internal policies;
• Provides insight to applicants regarding survey distribution, research design and data collection;
• Works with applicant(s) to clarify documents and seek additional information as needed;
• Provides instruction and guidance to individuals or groups on the administrative research policy, process and forms;
• Develops forms, process , and policy documents related to administrative research review;
• Works with institutional research and/or records management staff to ensure internal data requests are compliant with university and external policies.

Internal Grants and Awards Administration

• Coordinates the annual competitions for the Laurier Early Career Researcher (ECRA), University Research Professor (URP) and Laurier Research Chair (LRC) awards;

• Reviews and evaluates ECRA, URP and LRC applications for compliance and eligibility;
• Creates adjudication rubrics for relevant internal award and grant competitions, complies rubrics and normalizes competition data and presents the findings to the adjudication committee(s);
• Provides all forms of communication pre- and post- award to successful and non-successful candidates, departmental chairs, deans and advisory committees regarding internal research award competitions;
• Works closely with the Faculty Relations Office to coordinate the competition for the Contract Teaching Faculty (CTF) Professional Development Fund (PDF) (Article 28.8); provides ongoing assistance to the Faculty Relations Administrator (CTF) regarding applications and financial expense claim completion;
• On behalf of the VPR, reviews and approves CTF 28.8 Professional Development Fund applications available for expenses including, but not limited to, travel to scholarly or pedagogical conferences, for the employment of research assistants, and for other costs directly relation to a Member’s duties;
• Develops new research awards, as directed by the VPR and Manager, Research Compliance and Strategic Initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in research-intensive discipline plus minimum three years of related experience with coordinating research-related initiatives and strategic planning, preferably in a post-secondary environment.

• Project management experience coupled with the ability to work in a self-directed manner, organize tasks and set priorities.
• Experience in event management is an asset
• Knowledge of federal, provincial, and other research funding opportunities.

• Detail oriented, resourceful, innovative, flexible, accessible.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of computer proficiency, including excellent knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of programs.
• A high degree of initiative and sound judgement is required in order to work with internal and external stakeholders

• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of a team, as well as the ability to exercise high levels of independence, judgment, and initiative with minimal supervision.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to work under pressure in a busy environment characterized by continuous change, shifting priorities, and conflicting deadlines.
• Proven ability to interact and communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students and external stakeholders.

This position has not been deemed eligible for educational equivalencies. 

Hours of Work

This is a full-time, limited term position, with a start date in August 2024, ending in April 2026. The regular hours of work are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Flexibility in hours may be required due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

Compensation

Hiring salary range posted: $39.89 to $42.17 with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $45.59. 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.