Lab and Research Manager

Dalhousie University; Halifax; On-site; CAD 59,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Language and Literacy Lab (LLL) at Dalhousie University is an interdisciplinary team of researchers who support a large-scale research program dedicated to understanding the skills children and adults need to achieve full literacy.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Lab and Research Manager is responsible for the operational management and administration of the Language and Literacy Lab and its research program.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Psychology, Education, Linguistics, Child Development or a related field, with five years of experience in project and/or research management ( or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience).
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex projects, including planning, resource coordination, budget oversight, and the successful delivery of competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience recruiting, hiring, training and supervising staff, students and volunteers, with demonstrated ability to coordinate workloads and provide ongoing direction and support.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with experience collaborating effectively with researchers, community partners, participants, and a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in financial, administrative, and information management systems, including experience handling confidential information, supporting ethical research practices, and using Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate multiple research projects across all stages of the research lifecycle, ensuring milestones, deliverables, ethics requirements, and project objectives are achieved.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of a research laboratory, providing comprehensive administrative and operational support to the Principal Investigator and research program.
• Oversee research grant and financial administration, including budget development, financial monitoring, resource planning, and compliance with institutional and funding agency requirements.
• Coordinate the recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, and supervision of research staff, students, volunteers, and project personnel across multiple initiatives.
• Support the development and administration of research funding opportunities by contributing to grant applications, budget preparation, submissions, and post-award reporting activities.
• Foster effective partnerships with schools, research collaborators, funding organizations, and community stakeholders while leading participant recruitment, research communications, and knowledge mobilization activities.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Communication

Problem-solving

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Undergraduate degree in Psychology, Education, Linguistics, Child Development or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Salary $59,403 - $75,221 per annum based on 35 hours per week

Classification

Provisional Statement

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

The Language and Literacy Lab ( LLL ) at Dalhousie University is an interdisciplinary team of researchers who support a large-scale research program dedicated to understanding the skills children and adults need to achieve full literacy. Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Lab and Research Manager is responsible for the operational management and administration of the Language and Literacy Lab and its research program.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate multiple research projects across all stages of the research lifecycle, ensuring milestones, deliverables, ethics requirements, and project objectives are achieved.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of a research laboratory, providing comprehensive administrative and operational support to the Principal Investigator and research program.
• Oversee research grant and financial administration, including budget development, financial monitoring, resource planning, and compliance with institutional and funding agency requirements.
• Coordinate the recruitment, onboarding, training, scheduling, and supervision of research staff, students, volunteers, and project personnel across multiple initiatives.
• Support the development and administration of research funding opportunities by contributing to grant applications, budget preparation, submissions, and post-award reporting activities.
• Foster effective partnerships with schools, research collaborators, funding organizations, and community stakeholders while leading participant recruitment, research communications, and knowledge mobilization activities.

Note

Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Psychology, Education, Linguistics, Child Development or a related field, with five years of experience in project and/or research management ( or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience).
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex projects, including planning, resource coordination, budget oversight, and the successful delivery of competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience recruiting, hiring, training and supervising staff, students and volunteers, with demonstrated ability to coordinate workloads and provide ongoing direction and support.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with experience collaborating effectively with researchers, community partners, participants, and a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in financial, administrative, and information management systems, including experience handling confidential information, supporting ethical research practices, and using Microsoft Office applications.

Assets

• Experience conducting or coordinating research involving children, families, schools and/or regional centres of education.
• Experience administering standardized and experimental tasks.
• Experience preparing and submitting research ethics applications and funding applications.
• Experience working within a university research environment.
• Knowledge of Dalhousie University research administration, financial, human resources, payroll, and research ethics systems and processes.

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies, in particular:

• Respect & Inclusion
• Adaptability
• Knowledge & Thinking Skills
• Communication
• Service

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a voluntary RRSP , health and dental plans, a wellness allowance, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Non-probationary bargaining unit employees ( PSAC Local 86001) are given priority consideration. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit.

Full-time students currently enrolled at an educational institution are not eligible for regular Grant-Paid positions.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information.If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here .

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Résumé / Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter