Research Assistant

IWK Health; Halifax; On-site; CAD 28,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

IWK Health is seeking a highly independent Research Assistant to support daily operations across active digital research projects in Halifax. You will serve as the primary contact for study participants, manage heavy daily administrative workflows, and maintain core project tracking systems with strong technical data handling.

The ideal candidate demonstrates clear communication, proficiency in MS Excel, and the ability to prioritize tasks in a busy environment, with shifts Monday–Friday and up

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Health Sciences, Psychology, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent).
• Bachelor’s Degree in related discipline preferred (e.g., psychology, nursing, family studies, health promotion).
• At least 1 year of combined experience in a similar position.
• Advanced MS Excel proficiency with formulas, data validation, and conditional formatting.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary liaison for study participants; manage daily inbound/outbound calls and guide participants through procedures.
• Monitor project inboxes; respond to time-sensitive participant requests and maintain workflow momentum.
• Use Microsoft Excel daily to maintain study databases, validate data, track metrics, and generate status reports.
• Resolve routine participant challenges independently and manage day-to-day project milestones.

Skills

Advanced MS Excel Proficiency

Oral & Written Communication

Independent Working

Data Tracking

Education

Post-secondary degree or diploma in Health Sciences, Psychology, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Company: IWK Health

Requisition ID: 224496

Department/Program: Family Health , Research Services

Location: Halifax

Type of Employment: Casual Relief for 12 months x 1 position(s)

Start Date: ASAP

Union Status: Research , Management/Non Union Bargaining Unit

Compensation: $ 20.0928 - $ 25.7353 /hour

Closing Date: Open Until Filled (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia. People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self‑identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly independent and proactive Research Assistant to support daily operations across our active digital research projects. In this fast-paced position, you will serve as a primary point of contact for study participants, manage heavy daily administrative workflows, and maintain core project tracking systems. The ideal candidate thrives in a busy environment, excels at clear communication, and possesses strong technical skills to handle complex data tracking accurately.

Key Responsibilities

• Participant Communication: Act as the primary liaison for study participants. Efficiently manage daily inbound and outbound phone calls, address inquiries, and guide participants through standard study procedures.
• Email & Inquiry Management: Actively monitor project inboxes to provide prompt, professional responses to time-sensitive participant requests and maintain workflow momentum.
• Data Tracking & Reporting: Utilize Microsoft Excel daily to maintain accurate study databases, perform data validation, track project metrics, and generate regular status reports.
• Autonomous Operations: Resolve routine participant challenges independently, troubleshoot minor access issues, and ensure day-to-day project milestones are met without administrative bottlenecks.

Hours of Work

Shifts from Monday-Friday

Shifts up to 7.5 hours

Your Qualifications

• Education/Experience: Post-secondary degree or diploma in Health Sciences, Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and relevant administrative/research experience).
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline, such as psychology, nursing, family studies or health promotion is preferred.
• At least 1 year of combined experience in similar position
• Advanced MS Excel Proficiency: Hands-on experience using formulas, data validation rules, and conditional formatting to manage large datasets and tracking sheets effectively.
• Strong Oral & Written Communication: Confident, clear, and professional communicator over the phone and via email.
• Workload Management & Independence: Proven ability to prioritize competing tasks, handle a high volume of administrative workflow, and work effectively with minimal direct supervision.
• Agility & Problem-Solving: Highly adaptable mindset with the ability to maintain accuracy and responsiveness in an active research environment.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.

This is a Management/Non Union bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.

An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.