Junior Researcher (4 Vacancies)

Conestoga College; Kitchener; Hybrid; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned educational institution in Kitchener is seeking a Junior Researcher to assist with field and laboratory research activities. The role includes data collection, report preparation, and mentorship of co-op students. Candidates must have a relevant bachelor's degree and strong research methodology skills, with a focus on community-based research. This position requires occasional travel within Ontario and predominantly on-site work at the Cambridge campus.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of related work experience, including co-op related research experience.
• Solid understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
• Conduct preliminary data entry and basic data analysis.
• Mentor co-op students on research projects.

Skills

Qualitative and quantitative research methods

Data entry and statistical analysis

Organizational skills

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Factors & Ergonomics or related field

Tools

Excel

SPSS

NVivo

Job description

Position Summary

Administrative Full-time New Positions

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, and Director of Research at the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness, and Performance (CISWP), the Junior Researcher will provide essential support for field and laboratory research activities. This role involves assisting with data collection primarily in the field, data preparation, processing, and analysis, as well as maintaining research equipment and ensuring adherence to research protocols. The successful candidate will also support the coordination of research logistics, contribute to documentation and reporting, and assist with Knowledge Transfer and Exchange (KTE) activities. This position plays a key role in facilitating the successful execution of CISWP research projects and may involve occasional support for mentoring co-op students and participating in industry engagement initiatives.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the needs of the department Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with four days on-site at the Conestoga Skilled Trades campus, located at 25 Reuter Dr. in Cambridge and one day remote. Travel is required weekly within Ontario.

Responsibilities

Field and lab research support

• Support qualitative and quantitative data collection, including fieldwork, surveys, interviews, and lab-based measurements
• Conduct preliminary data entry, cleaning, and basic data processing or analysis under the guidance of research project managers or other senior staff
• Provide logistical and technical support during field data collections and internal and external meetings
• Assist in preparing and maintaining ethics applications and documentation
• Assist in preparing interim and final project reports by compiling data and supporting documentation
• Mentor co-op students for research projects
• Support co-op students and research assistants with equipment set up, data collection procedures, and adherence to protocols
  
  

Research logistics and resource preparation

• Assist in developing and maintaining project schedules and timelines
• Help identify equipment and training needs; support delivery of basic training on research tools and procedures to co-op students and research assistants
  
  

Knowledge transfer and communication

• Support the organization and delivery of webinars, workshops, and project-related networking
• Assist in preparing technical content for reports, presentations, and KTE material
• Help social media content development and success story demonstration related to research project
  
  

Research engagement and collaboration

• Provide administrative and logistical support for meetings with potential research partners (i.e., industry, government, academia)
• Assist in documenting meeting outcomes and following up on action items
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Factors & Ergonomics, Kinesiology, Health Studies, Biomechanics, Occupational Health & Safety, or a related field of study is required
• Minimum two years of related work experience, inclusive of co-op related research experience, is preferred
• Proficiency in computer applications relevant to research, including tools for data entry, basic statistical analysis, and qualitative coding (e.g., Excel, SPSS, NVivo)
• Solid understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods, with a focus on applied, real-world settings
• Demonstrated experience supporting field data collection, including setup, troubleshooting, and adherence to research protocols in diverse environments
• Familiarity with surveys, interviews, observational techniques, biomechanics and ergonomic-related research equipment, and other self-reported data collection methods
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to coordinate logistics, multitask, and meet deadlines in both field and lab settings
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to support documentation, reporting, and collaboration with research teams and community partners
• Experience working in community-based or applied research environments is an asset, particularly in roles requiring direct participant interaction
• Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team
• Access to a reliable means of transportation and the ability to travel within Ontario