Research Associate (Northern Knowledge Networks)

Wilfrid Laurier University

Waterloo, ON, Canada 🇨🇦

Date: Mar 10, 2023

Location: Waterloo, CA

Company: Wilfrid Laurier University

Department: Office of Research Services 

Job Type: Limited Term

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

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Manager, Research Partnerships

Employee Group: Other 

Application Deadline: March 29th 2023

Requisition ID: 3313 

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 19,000 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

Global Water Futures (GWF) is a multi-institutional research program that is funded in part by a $77.8-million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). The overarching goal of the program is to deliver risk management solutions – informed by leading-edge water science and supported by innovative decision-making tools – to manage water futures in Canada and other cold regions where global warming is changing landscapes, ecosystems, and the water environment. As a core GWF partner, Laurier researchers lead several multi-year research projects situated throughout the Northwest Territories (NWT); the institution employs several Research Associates to support the research goals and commitments.

“Knowledge mobilization” is an active process that helps connect knowledge created through research to practical application by members of the public. The ‘Research Associate, Northern Knowledge Networks’ will support Laurier’s world-class research in the NWT and liaise with social and natural scientists associated with Laurier’s GWF projects. A central goal of this position is to help maximize the impact of Laurier’s northern research and expand engagement with research generated through the GWF projects as part of Laurier’s partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

The Research Associate will identify opportunities to support research, strengthen collaborations, and promote co-created research outputs using a variety of communication tools (e.g., graphic design and infographics, data visualization, digital storytelling, plain language research summaries, thematic knowledge exchange events, social media). The incumbent will collate and synthesize research findings, working together with researchers and stakeholders to tailor and maximize research use for positive societal impacts. This role involves working closely with researchers and northern partners, and Laurier’s Office of Research Services, to ensure that project outcomes are widely disseminated and accessible to the institution’s partners and broader stakeholders. The Research Associate will engage in network building to facilitate the timely dissemination of knowledge to all stakeholders including communities and government. The aim is to increase community engagement in research and knowledge-based collaboration, which will increase the impact of co-created research outputs on the development of public policy and professional practice.

This position will be based at Laurier’s Waterloo campus, with occasional travel to the NWT throughout the year.

Accountabilities

  1. Engage in active Knowledge Mobilization (KM), including art, design, and data visualization
  • Work closely with faculty, research staff, students and partners to develop creative products (e.g., infographics, animations, videos) that translate key research findings to various target audiences
  • Facilitate the active uptake of research findings by community and other stakeholders including government officials from the GNWT
  • Engage/liaise with community members and partner organizations (academic, government, Indigenous government, and communities) in disseminating KM outputs from collaborative projects, with direction and guidance from principal investigators (faculty)
  • Support GWF researchers to arrange and promote KM and training events to facilitate partnerships and knowledge exchange between researchers and community
  • Support GWF-wide KM programs, engagement, reporting, and events
  1. Networking and research support:
  • Support principal investigators and their research teams in developing KM plans for northern research projects
  • Collaborate with other research associates, principal investigators, etc., on various aspects of GWF as well as with other intersecting research groups at Laurier and partner organizations
  • Foster and build strategic community and related knowledge sharing networks
  • Maintain internal networks with students, highly qualified personnel (HQP), and research faculty associated with Laurier’s GWF projects for outreach and communication initiatives
  • Coordinate/liaise with other individuals or centres at Laurier involved with KM
  • Work with cross-institutional GWF KM team to support program wide initiatives
  • Responsible for reporting on and managing work plans

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in community-based research, communications, or related;
  • Minimum 3 years recent related experience in a similar communications or knowledge mobilization role;
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills are necessary;
  • Demonstrated experience generating creative communications products (e.g., infographics, data visualization, art-based methods, animations or videos);
  • Demonstrated experience with social media tools and website design is an asset;
  • Proven ability to work independently as well as in a team environment;
  • Excellent judgment, oral, and written communication, interpersonal, problem-solving and organizational skills;
  • Possess tact, sensitivity, and diplomacy in dealing with varied stakeholders;
  • Approach tasks with flexibility, initiative, and creativity;
  • Strong computer skills including the ability to work with Office 365 programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and Zoom;
  • Experience working in a university, government (federal, provincial or municipal) department, or not for profit agency is an asset; and
  • Knowledge of University research policies and procedures is an asset.

Hours of work: This is a full time limited term role with an end date of  August 31, 2024 with the possibility for extension pending approval of additional funds. Regular hours of work are Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm 

Compensation 

$55, 818 to $69, 772 per year 

All Laurier employees and students are required to comply with the University’s Covid-19 mandatory vaccination policyEffective May 1st, Wilfrid Laurier University will pause its proof of vaccination requirements. Should these recommendations change, vaccination requirements can be reinstated on short notice. Community members should remain up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.

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.


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