Research Assistant

University of Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alberta in Edmonton is seeking a Research Assistant to support the PI and team. In-person role at North Campus Edmonton, 11‑month term, focusing on ethics applications, grant support, REDCap database management, and participant recruitment.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, 1–2 years of academic research experience, and strong data management, communication, and organizational skills, with experience in ARISE is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent in a relevant field.
• 1–2 years of experience in an academic research environment preferred.
• Proficiency in database design and management, specifically REDCap.
• Experience with ethics submissions or ARISE at U of A is an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with participants and drafting documents.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills to manage multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Draft, format, and submit initial REB applications, amendments, and annual renewals.
• Assist PI with preparation, formatting, and compilation of grant applications and funding proposals.
• Design, build, and test REDCap instruments; manage user access and data security.
• Develop recruitment materials and coordinate participant outreach, consent, and scheduling.

Skills

REDCap data entry

Research ethics principles

Grant application portals

Strong written and verbalCommunication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Study collection assistance

WHMIS & biohazard training

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Kinesiology, Health Sciences, Psychology)

Tools

EndNote

Zotero

REDCap

Job description

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position has a term length of 11 months.

Location - This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

The Research Assistant provides administrative and operational support for the Principal Investigator (PI) and the research team. The primary focus of this role is to facilitate research projects by coordinating Research Ethics Board (REB) applications, assisting in the preparation and submission of grant applications, designing and managing research databases using REDCap, and supporting participant recruitment efforts. This position ensures that research operations are compliant with institutional and funding agency guidelines while maintaining accurate and secure data collection processes.

A. Ethics Administration & Compliance (25%)

• Draft, format, and submit initial Research Ethics Board (REB) applications, amendments, and annual renewals.
• Monitor ethics approval timelines and ensure all research activities remain compliant with institutional policies.
• Maintain accurate records of all ethics correspondence, approved protocols, and consent forms.

B. Grant Application Support (25%)

• Assist the PI in the preparation, formatting, and compilation of grant applications and funding proposals.
• Gather required administrative documents, format CVs (e.g., Canadian CCV), and ensure proposals adhere strictly to funding agency guidelines and deadlines.
• Assist with literature searches and reference management (e.g., EndNote, Zotero) for grant narratives.

C. REDCap Database Management & Data Entry (25%)

• Design, build, and test electronic data capture instruments and surveys using REDCap.
• Manage user access, project settings, and data security protocols within the REDCap environment.
• Monitor data quality, perform routine data entry, and generate reports/data exports for the research team.

D. Participant Recruitment & Coordination (25%)

• Develop and distribute recruitment materials (e.g., posters, social media posts, email outreach) in alignment with approved ethics protocols.
• Act as the primary point of contact for potential participants, answering questions, screening for eligibility, and scheduling study visits.
• Conduct informed consent processes and ensure participants have a clear understanding of study requirements.

• Education: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Kinesiology, Health Sciences, Psychology, or related discipline) is preferred.
• Experience: 1-2 years of experience in an academic research environment.
• Skills: Proficiency in database design and management, specifically using REDCap.
  • Strong understanding of human research ethics principles and experience navigating institutional ethics application systems (e.g., ARISE at U of A).
  • Familiarity with grant application portals and administrative requirements.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with participants and drafting technical documents.
  • High attention to detail and strong organizational skills to manage multiple deadlines.
  • In some cases, assistance with study collection will be needed (e.g., run computer, work with biological samples).
  • WHMIS and biohazard training is required.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).