Health Research Hub - Client Navigator

University of Waterloo; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 68,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Waterloo is seeking a Health Research Navigator to provide frontline research support and develop a structured knowledge system for the Health Research Hub. The role manages inquiries, investigates solutions, and connects researchers with resources and collaborators to advance health research capacity.

Responsibilities include building an AI-compatible knowledge base, maintaining profiles, and improving processes while collaborating with research support units, the Office of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. Graduate education in a health-related field, information science, or a research-intensive discipline is an asset.
• Experience in a research-based environment such as academia, health sciences, library and information sciences, or research administration.
• Experience working with information systems, documentation, or knowledge management processes is an asset.
• Familiarity with academic research lifecycles, research support services, or scholarly communication is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Health Research Hub’s research inquiry queue, including intake, triage, follow-up, and resolution.
• Develop and maintain an AI compatible, structured knowledge repository that supports discovery, retrieval, and organizational memory.
• Create and maintain researcher, partner, and resource profiles to support collaboration and network awareness.
• Provide feedback on prototype tools and emerging AI enabled systems.
• Contribute to metrics, reporting, and evaluation of Health Research Hub services.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Independent work

Tech savvy / AI tools

Interpersonal skills

Accessibility knowledge (AODA)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Graduate education asset

Tools

Jira

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

Job Requisition ID: 2026-02631 Time Type: Full time Employee Group: Staff Job Category: Project and Program Management Employment Type: Temporary Department: Faculty of Health - Kinesiology and Health Sciences - Research, Mourtzakis Hiring Range: $67,688.63 - $84,610.79 Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy. The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday October 1, 2026, at 11:59PM.

Job Description

Primary Purpose The Health Research Navigator provides frontline research support and develops a structured knowledge system to enhance the effectiveness of the Health Research Hub. The role manages the Hub’s research inquiry intake process, investigates solutions, connects researchers with resources and collaborators, and develops an AI‑ready knowledge base that supports institutional research activities. The Navigator works independently, engages broadly with the research community, and contributes to the development of new tools and processes that advance the University’s health research capacity.

Key Accountabilities

Research Intake and Support

• Manage the Health Research Hub’s research inquiry queue, including intake, triage, follow-up, and resolution.
• Investigate questions by reviewing documentation, consulting campus partners, and gathering information from relevant sources.
• Provide clear, timely, and accurate guidance to researchers and external partners.
• Identify recurring issues or information gaps and recommend improvements in documentation or processes.

Knowledge Base Development

• Develop and maintain an AI compatible, structured knowledge repository that supports discovery, retrieval, and organizational memory.
• Convert resolved inquiries into tagged, searchable entries aligned with emerging standards for metadata and information organization.
• Create and maintain researcher, partner, and resource profiles to support collaboration and network awareness.
• Ensure content quality, consistency, and usability across all knowledge assets.

Community Engagement and Information Gathering

• Build relationships with researchers and both institutional and community partners through conversations, meetings, and participation in relevant events.
• Collect contextual information about researcher needs, interests, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Review abstracts, publications, and announcements to keep researcher and resource profiles current.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Relations

• Work with research support units, the Office of Research, IST, library staff, and other partners to maintain alignment across processes and information systems.
• Represent the Health Research Hub on relevant committees or working groups as assigned.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in the design and refinement of intake workflows, tagging structures, and knowledge capture processes.
• Provide feedback on prototype tools and emerging AI enabled systems. enabled systems.
• Contribute to metrics, reporting, and evaluation of Health Research Hub services.
• Support the development, testing, and refinement of new digital tools and workflows.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required. Graduate education in a health-related field, information science, or a research-intensive discipline is an asset.

Experience

• Experience in a research-based environment such as academia, health sciences, library and information sciences, or research administration.
• Experience working with information systems, documentation, or knowledge management processes is an asset.
• Experience working with modern ticketing systems or queues (e.g. Jira) is an asset.
• Familiarity with academic research lifecycles, research support services, or scholarly communication is preferred.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to gather, analyze, synthesize, and manage varied information sources.
• Knowledge of and experience with accessibility options, including AODA and post-secondary education standards.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• High comfort with technology, including emerging AI tools and structured information systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with individuals at all levels.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations. The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada. The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

At the University of Waterloo, we think differently, we act with purpose, and we work together. We advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship, nationally and internationally, in an environment of free expression and enquiry. We are a leading global research-intensive university, renowned for entrepreneurship and innovation, providing co-op and work-integrated learning at scale with impact. Internal candidates are reviewed first before external applicants are considered. Due to the volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.