Indigenous Maternal Child Wellness Post Doc

The University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university located in Alberta is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar focused on Indigenous Maternal Child Health. This role involves research, project management, and collaboration with community partners. The ideal candidate will hold a doctoral degree in a health-related field and have substantial research experience. The position offers a competitive salary of $80,000 CAD annually, plus health benefits, and is pivotal in addressing healthcare disparities in Indigenous populations.

Benefits

University health benefits

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in a health-related discipline with recent research experience.
• Minimum five years of relevant research experience.
• Skilled in Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and manage projects related to Indigenous Maternal Child Health.
• Create and disseminate knowledge through various means.
• Translate research into educational resources for communities.

Skills

Effective oral and written communication

Research analytical skills

Proven ability to exercise initiative

Knowledge of Indigenous research ethics

Excellent computer skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Interpersonal skills

Effective time management skills

Accuracy and attention to detail

Education

Doctoral degree in a health-related discipline

Tools

Endnote

SPSSS

STATA

MAXQDA

Job description

Description

Postdoctoral Scholar position

Area: One Child Every Child
Duration: February 1, 2026- January 31, 2028
Start date: February 1, 2026
Salary: $80,000CAD per annum, plus University of Calgary Plan C health benefits

The Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in Indigenous Maternal Child Health and Wellness

Job Description

The Postdoc will work closely with Dr. Jennifer Leason. Dr. Leason is an off-reserve member of Minegoziibe Anishinaabe Nation, MN.; Associate Professor and CIHR Canada Research Chair Tier II in Indigenous Maternal Child Wellness from the University of Calgary. For more information, please visit: https://www.jenniferleason.com

Dr. Leason’s research aims to address First Nations, Métis and Inuit perinatal and maternal-child health disparities and inequities by examining institutional and systemic barriers, maternity experiences, healthcare utilization, and social- cultural contexts of Indigenous maternal child wellness. For more information about her research, please visit:
https://reclaimingindigenousbirth.ca
https://www.honouringvoices.ca

The postdoctoral associate will be part of a community of Elders/Knowledge Keepers, midwives, teachers, learners, researchers, academics, scientists, thinkers, artists, dreamers and persons working collectively to advance the health and well‑being of children, birthing persons, families, communities and nations. The work will include 1) research and project management, 2) knowledge creation, dissemination and implementation, 3) educational resource creation, and 4) the postdoc’s own academic writing.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Doctoral degree in a health‑related discipline or equivalent with research experience in Indigenous health (candidate must have graduated within the past 5 years or be in the final stages of their Doctoral degree at the time of application).
• Minimum five years of relevant and successful experience working on multiple types of research studies.
• Skilled in Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‑Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‑ScR) or willing to be trained.
• Experience with Endnote, Covidence and/or other data extraction tools, SPSSS, STATA, MAXQDA and/or other research software or willing to be trained.

Skills

• Effective oral and written communication.
• Research analytical skills: quantitative and qualitative data analysis, knowledge synthesis, interpretation, and knowledge dissemination.
• Proven ability to exercise initiative in conducting research and ability to work both independently and within a team.
• Knowledge of Indigenous research ethics and protocols and methodologies.
• Excellent computer skills, including proven experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and successfully manage multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, and confidentiality in dealing with, external agencies, and researchers.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including cultural safety and inter‑cultural competency when working with and for First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples, communities, and organizations.
• Effective time and project management skills, including the ability to set priorities, meet timelines and deadlines.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.

Preferred

• Indigenous lived experience is preferred (self‑identity as Indigenous and/or experience living /working with Indigenous peoples and/or communities).
• Familiarity and experience with knowledge translation and community engagement.
• Familiarity and understanding of the social determinants of health.

Accountabilities/Tasks and Duties

Knowledge Creation, Dissemination, and Implementation

• Contributing to the creation and dissemination of policy briefs, reports, academic publications and presentations, research websites, and public engagement (LinkedIn and other social media platforms).
• Support academic writing and dissemination. Assist with translating academic writing for Indigenous community‑based advocacy, activism and dissemination.
• Managing knowledge production and dissemination: Identifying publishing/ communication pathways, supporting writing, coordinating with co‑authors, advancing revision processes, communicating with authors and editors, and managing submission/ sharing processes.
• Maintaining communication and dissemination planning, timelines, outputs and impact assessment.

Project Management

• Managing timelines, deadlines, and outcomes.
• Supporting undergraduate/graduate students, researchers and community partners with research projects and tasks.
• Connect and work with multiple research teams, community partners, organizations, and internal/external stakeholders.
• Create and maintain project plans, mapping and ensure timelines are met within the project.

Educational Resource Creation

• Translate Indigenous Maternal Child Health research into educational resources for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, healthcare professionals, and knowledge users.

Postdoctoral Associate’s Professional Publications and Development

• Disseminate doctoral research for academic and public audiences.
• Pursue personal and professional goals that align with previous research, relationships and passions.
• Receive mentorship, guidance and support from Dr. Leason and her community‑based research partners, collaborators and Elder‑mentors. To create a circle of learning that further advances the Postdoctoral Associate’s goals, ambitions and needs for development.

Application details

• Cover Letter outlining your experience and interest in the position.
• Please include a statement of personal and professional development goals and how you foresee this postdoc contributing to advancing.

• TRC
• UNDRIP
• MMIW
• Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor

• CV.
• 2 Publications that outline your experience and suitability for the Postdoctoral Associate position.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next‑generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can‑do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

Additional information

The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the Calgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary visit our Postdocs website.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders – in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here.