Senior Research Partner - Research Partner Network, Stand-Alone Community Faculties

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded) , this full-time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package that can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page and annual salary range which will be commensurate with qualifications.

Location - This role's primary work location is North Campus, but the Senior Research Partner will be required to occasionally travel to the Campus Saint-Jean and Augustana campuses.

As one of the top 5 research universities in Canada, the University of Alberta's research and innovation spans many fields and disciplines. Our expertise and strength attract over $620 million annually from various research funders and partners including federal and provincial government, industry, foundations, and other organizations.

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 teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 42,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

We are currently seeking a creative, committed and solution-oriented Senior Research Partner (SRP) to join the Research Partners Network within the Vice-President (Research and Innovation) (VPRI) portfolio. The SRP will join a diverse team of professionals dedicated to providing essential hands-on support designed to enhance the research application and grant management success.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director, Research Partner Network, this position draws on a deep understanding of the research development and administration continuum and of the University, its research operations and challenges, the incumbent will act as a go-to resource for researchers, senior academic leaders, and administrators in the stand-alone faculties for both strategic advice and hands-on research development and administrative support. The successful candidate will contribute to a new approach to research support and be accountable for implementing efficient standards that contribute to the development and growth of an environment that helps researchers and innovators to do their best work.

In all facets of this role, this position endeavors to integrate and advance the University’s commitments to Indigeneity, equity, diversity, inclusivity, and to convey respect for those undertaking research endeavors.

Duties

• Providing professional-level advice to college/faculty deans and vice/associate deans research, college/ faculty general/academic department managers, other senior administrators (e.g. chairs, centre and institute directors, etc.), researchers and their staff, within assigned areas on a variety of research-related matters.
• Supporting college/stand-alone deans and vice/associate deans (research) with strategic cross-college/faculty and interdisciplinary initiatives and college/faculty-specific research opportunities.
• Actively engaged in research-related strategic planning and implementation within assigned areas, bringing the institutional-level perspective to the process and subsequently supporting the achievement of collective research goals.
• Supporting and contributing to institutional research priorities set by VPRI.
• Working with college/stand-alone faculty associate deans of research (and other college/faculty staff involved in research), other senior research partners, and centers of expertise within the VPRI portfolio, assuming a lead role in organizing and providing research development support for interdisciplinary funding opportunities.
• Providing research proposal development and administrative support to researchers within stand-alone faculties, either directly or through interactions with others areas of the research partner network.
• Working with college/faculty associate deans of research to identify and implement strategies to increase grant success. Identifying roles for the research partner network and Centres of Expertise within the VPRI portfolio to play in supporting these strategies.
• Providing analysis and recommendations on a wide range of potential funding developments and/or project opportunities relevant to the disciplines within assigned areas and connecting the stand-alone faculties into institution-wide activities being led out of other areas across the institution including the Office of the Vice President (Research and Innovation) and/or colleges and faculties within.
• VPRI portfolio’s primary point of contact for the college/stand-along faculties, including the associate dean of research and faculty general managers.
• Acting as a main conduit of information from the VPRI portfolio to the college/faculties and bringing college/faculty perspectives to COEs in VPRI responsible for research-related policies and strategic decision making.
• Raising awareness of potential operational barriers and helping to develop and implement effective solutions.
• Advocating for assigned areas with research leadership, by listening carefully to needs and concerns, sharing this information, researching best practices, and offering options for leaders to consider in addressing area-specific needs and concerns.
• Involvement in the development and implementation of consistent research administration processes and procedures within and across assigned areas that are in alignment with institution-wide approaches.
• Working with the Director, other SRPs, and manager supporting the team in the development and management of all client relationships including developing the trust of senior leaders, researchers, and their staff within the client group.

Qualifications:

• A Graduate degree required.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience, ideally in an academic research environment.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated leadership experience; proven ability to lead teams and inspire optimal team performance.
• A detailed knowledge of the integrated research and innovation enterprise and research administration continuum, from grant development to project conclusion.
• Superior writing and verbal communication skills, including an ability to understand at a conceptual level a wide range of research work in various disciplines and report on it to a variety of stakeholders, including partners, funders, and the public.
• Experience developing, writing, and/or editing research funding applications/proposals and a solid understanding of the Canadian funding research ecosystem and funding agency mandates, culture, opportunities, and guidelines.
• Computer/IT skills relevant to today’s work environment (e.g. Microsoft Office, PeopleSoft, Google Suite, Zoom).
• Excellent motivator and enthusiastic team leader.
• Excellent active listening, oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills with the proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and competing deadlines; comfortable in coping with constant pressure and owning numerous objectives to achieve.
• Ability to apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, assess consequences of proposed actions, choose the most appropriate solution and implement successfully; ability to act decisively and to exercise initiative and judgment on a wide range of issues.
• Experience working independently within a large institutional environment and demonstrating effective collaboration with various individuals and groups.
• Experience working with a diverse range of communities and community organizations.  Previous experience in community-based research is preferred.
• Fluency in French, both spoken and written, is an asset. Applicants fluent in French will be given preference.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.