Indigenous Research Coordinator - Data

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Calgary is seeking an Indigenous Research Coordinator - Data to support researchers, faculty, and staff through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). The role focuses 60% on Indigenous Research Data initiatives and 40% on broader IRST activities, including events, knowledge resources, and capacity-building.

The incumbent will contribute to Indigenous data governance resources, literature reviews, and stakeholder collaboration while supporting training opportunities and

Qualifications

• This role requires strong communication and collaboration skills with researchers and teams.
• Ability to work independently while supporting a hybrid team and managing multiple tasks.
• Experience with Indigenous research processes, data governance, and stakeholder engagement is valued.
• Experience with research administration or support environments is preferred.
• Knowledge of Indigenous data governance principles and data stewardship is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Indigenous research data initiatives and support IRST activities.
• Organize meetings, prepare agendas, document discussions, and track action items for working groups.
• Develop resources, guidance materials, and workshop content on Indigenous data governance and stewardship.
• Support planning and delivery of Indigenous data workshops, consultations, and capacity-building events.
• Provide administrative support for meetings, reports, and communications across IRST.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Initiative

Flexibility

Independent work

Indigenous research knowledge

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

The Administration Team in the Office of VP Research invites applications for an Indigenous Research Coordinator. This Full-time Fixed Termposition is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Indigenous Research Coordinator - Data role supports UCalgary researchers, faculty, and staff with their Indigenous research projects under the leadership of the Manager of the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). The position contributes to reducing institutional barriers to Indigenous research, supporting the retention and advancement of Indigenous scholars, and promoting Indigenous ways of being, connecting, knowing, and doing across the university in alignment with ii' taa'poh'to'p, the University of Calgary's Indigenous strategy.

This coordinator position provides administrative support across the Indigenous Research Support Team's activities, with approximately 60% of the role focused on Indigenous Research Data initiatives and the remaining 40% supporting broader IRST activities, including consultations, resource development, events, cultural activities, communications, and capacity-building initiatives.

The Indigenous Research Coordinator - Data provides support to researchers pursuing Indigenous research by contributing to the development of guidance materials and resources, supporting Indigenous research processes, and assisting with the coordination of Indigenous research-related events and training opportunities.

A component of the role includes supporting the Indigenous Research Data Working Group, conducting literature reviews and environmental scans, assisting with the development of resources on Indigenous data governance and stewardship, supporting presentations and workshops, and helping researchers navigate considerations related to Indigenous research data. The coordinator position contributes to strengthening institutional understanding of Indigenous data governance principles, distinctions-based approaches, and community-accountable research data practices.

The Indigenous Research Coordinator also supports the Indigenous Research Community of Practice and contributes to relationship building with Indigenous faculty members, researchers, staff, students, and community partners. In collaboration with the broader IRST team, the coordinator contributes to intercultural capacity building and supports initiatives that advance ethical, reciprocal, and culturally responsive Indigenous research across the university.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

(job functions include but are not limited to):

Indigenous Research Data Support

• Support the implementation of Indigenous research data-related initiatives within IRST and contribute to objectives aligned with the University of Calgary Research Data Management Strategy.
• Provide administrative and project coordination support to the Indigenous Research Data Working Group, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, documenting discussions, and tracking action items.
• Conduct literature reviews, environmental scans, and jurisdictional reviews related to Indigenous Research Data Governance, Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Indigenous research ethics, and related topics.
• Assist in the development of resources, guidance documents, presentations, workshop materials, and educational content related to Indigenous research data governance and stewardship.
• Support the planning and delivery of Indigenous research data workshops, presentations, consultations, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Facilitate introductory consultations with researchers regarding Indigenous research data considerations, referring complex matters to the Indigenous Research Data Sovereignty Specialist as appropriate.
• Support the development and maintenance of Indigenous research data resources, tools, and communications for researchers and research administrators.
• Assist with project tracking, reporting, and documentation related to Indigenous research data initiatives.

Indigenous Research Support

• Facilitate one-on-one IRST consultations with researchers pursuing Indigenous research projects and connect researchers to appropriate IRST services and resources.
• Support the development of Indigenous research resources, guidance documents, educational materials, and communications.
• Organize and facilitate the Indigenous Research Community of Practice and related networking opportunities for Indigenous faculty members, researchers, staff, students, and community partners.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for Indigenous research-related events, workshops, training sessions, and community engagement activities.
• Support IRST communications, including website updates, resource dissemination, newsletters, and promotional materials.
• Work collaboratively with IRST, Research Services Office teams, and campus partners to support intercultural capacity-building initiatives related to Indigenous research.
• Assist in building positive, respectful, and trusting relationships with Indigenous faculty members, researchers, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to IRST reporting, data collection, evaluation activities, and project documentation.
• Provide administrative support including expense reporting, meeting coordination, document preparation, scheduling, and records management.
• Support special projects and other duties as assigned by the Manager, Indigenous Research Support Team.

Qualifications / Requirements

The ideal candidates for the Research Coordinator - Data, Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST) positions will have:

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of an undergraduate degree.
• Minimum 2-3 years of related experience supporting or conducting research activities, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Knowledge of local, national, and international guidelines, recommendations, and legislation relating to Indigenous research.
• Strong communication, team, and interpersonal skills.
• Resourceful, innovative, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to act decisively and exercise a high degree of initiative, sound judgement, and professionalism.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing workloads and priorities.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as a member of a collaborative, hybrid team.
• Ability to use tact, discretion, and good judgment when handling sensitive and confidential matters.
• Familiarity with research data management, research administration, or research support environments within post-secondary institutions.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications.

Assets

• Experience in research collaborations with Indigenous communities and leadership, including experience navigating complex and competing priorities within Indigenous contexts.
• Strong understanding of oral practices, Indigenous research methodologies, community-based and community-driven research, intellectual property, and cultural protocols.
• Knowledge of Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Indigenous Data Governance, and Indigenous research data stewardship principles, including familiarity with OCAP®, CARE Principles, and distinctions-based approaches to Indigenous data governance.
• Experience conducting literature reviews, environmental scans, jurisdictional reviews, or policy analysis.
• Experience developing educational resources, presentations, training materials, workshops, or knowledge mobilization products.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information and translate it into practical resources, guidance documents, and communications for diverse audiences.
• Experience supporting committees, working groups, communities of practice, or collaborative projects.
• Demonstrated cultural competencies that affirm Indigenous ways of being, connecting, knowing, and doing.
• Knowledge of University of Calgary research systems, processes, and platforms.
• Indigenous candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Experience living, working, or collaborating with Indigenous peoples and communities is considered an asset.

Application Deadline

August 23, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, 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 academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([e-mail]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.