Research Officer

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade 15: $69,180 - $81,370, commensurate with experience

Please note, this is a 1 -year contract opportunity covering a leave.

Secondments are Welcome

Click here for more details on secondment opportunities.

About Western

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.

About Us

The Bone & Joint Institute’s (herein referred to as the Institute) mission is to catalyze transdisciplinary musculoskeletal (MSK) research, innovation, collaboration, education and knowledge translation using a complex adaptive research environment that brings together experts in basic biological and biomedical; physical sciences and engineering; clinical health services; and community and population health. The BJI environment supports nearly 300 BJI members across 5 Faculties and 32 departments as they strive to produce high-impact breakthroughs in primary objective areas: 1) understanding bone and joint diseases; 2) innovating in diagnosis and evaluation; 3) developing and evaluating new therapies; and 4) influencing key knowledge users.

Responsibilities

The Research Officer will be responsible for enhancing the overall research success and productivity within the Bone and Joint Institute. The role will serve as a liaison between and among Western Research, Western International, Western Libraries, Faculties, Institutes, Centres, and other units on campus. The position will help enhance research competitiveness by brokering (i.e., identifying and nurturing) relationships among interdisciplinary research experts (e.g., faculty, students, and staff) and other stakeholders (internal and external partners). The role will lead efforts to increase the visibility of existing research projects, help to conceptualize and initiate innovative transdisciplinary enterprise-wide projects, and facilitate communication for collaborative engagement that embeds equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization (EDID) promising practices (with support from other units on campus). This role will support the coordination of grant application processes for new major funding opportunities (locally, regionally, nationally), lead the development, launch and implementation of internal funding competitions, manage special events that aim to build consensus around strategic priorities and nurture collaborative teams of experts (internally and externally, academic and community-based). Overall, the role supports activities that will accelerate and increase the potential for research impact.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Science, Biomedicine, Engineering or Health Sciences
• Training in EDID for research (e.g. cultural sensitivity/competency training/certification, OCAP training)

Experience:

• 5 years experience supporting research administration functions in an academic environment
• Experience in grant proposal writing and grant program management
• Experience managing relationships with various stakeholders (e.g. academic, private-sector, industrial and other related stakeholders)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of best practices for reviewing and writing grant proposals and with Canadian peer-review granting systems, processes and procedures
• Ability to research new avenues of funding from federal granting agencies, industry and other funding sources
• Familiarity with intellectual property management, including copyrights and patents
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one's own unit
• Oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on proposal development, completing analytics and reports and delivering presentations
• Verbal communication skills to translate information into easily understood terms, summarize information, and provide a rationale for action
• Ability to work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality standards
• Ability to understand customer needs and expectations and provide excellent customer service to directly and indirectly satisfy expectations
• A desire to grow and advance skills, which is demonstrated by attending conferences, workshops and other professional developmental opportunities to enhance performance
• Professional manner, tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with associates and colleagues including senior management
• Ability to provide guidance, support and feedback in a way that is positively received
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to understand, interpret, and effectively communicate University guidelines, policies and practices to key stakeholders
Project management skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously from conception to completion within tightly prescribed timelines

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.