Research Associate

Ontario University Athletics; Guelph; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Ontario seeks a Research Associate for a temporary position focused on data analysis and project management. The successful candidate will conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses, manage research projects, and collaborate with external and internal stakeholders. Requires a Master’s degree in Statistics or Social Sciences and excellent communication and analytical skills. This role is vital for supporting university-wide projects and making data-informed decisions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Statistics or Social Sciences and at least one year of experience.
• Excellent quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Intermediate programming and coding skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced quantitative and qualitative analyses on complex datasets.
• Plan and coordinate research and consulting projects end-to-end.
• Create high-impact reports and decision-support tools.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Data visualization

Problem-solving

Statistical programming

Education

Master’s degree in Statistics or Social Sciences

Tools

R

Python

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Department: Research and Planning

This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph.

Temporary full-time from 01/19/2026 to 01/18/2027.

Temporary Absence of the Regular Incumbent.

Must apply as an internal employee if you are currently employed at the University of Guelph. Apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant.

General Purpose

The Office of Institutional Research and Planning serves as advisers and consultants to the University of Guelph (U of G) in academic activities and decision‑making processes. Through quantitative analysis, data collection and dissemination, we provide support to both academic and administrative departments in all aspects of planning, research, enrollment, and budgeting. Reporting to the Director of Research, Analytics and Planning, the Research Associate provides ongoing support for University‑wide projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Data Analysis and Insight Generation
  • Performs advanced quantitative and qualitative analyses on large and complex datasets, including survey results and institutional data.
  • Conducts comprehensive environmental scans to identify and analyze factors impacting the University of Guelph, other Ontario universities, and the broader post‑secondary education sector.
  • Facilitates the administration and development of institutional surveys, ensuring methodological rigor and relevance.
  • Works with highly sensitive and/or confidential data with the utmost discretion and adherence to all data privacy protocols.
• Project Management and Deliverables
  • Plans and coordinates research and consulting projects end‑to‑end, including scoping objectives, securing necessary information sources, and developing comprehensive communication plans.
  • Creates high‑impact reports, decision‑support tools, and other dissemination materials that translate complex analysis into clear conclusions and actionable recommendations for University leadership.
  • Ensures all projects are completed in a timely, accurate, and professional manner, maintaining high standards for quality and integrity of analysis.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Works independently to manage individual project deliverables, taking ownership of the research and analysis process.
  • Collaborates effectively with colleagues within the Office, engaging subject‑matter experts and stakeholders from across campus and external to the University to successfully execute projects.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Statistics, Social Sciences (e.g., Economics, Psychology) and at least one year of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent quantitative, analytical, and problem‑solving skills, with an aptitude for research and analysis.
• Intermediate statistical programming and coding skills in programs such as R, Python, etc.
• Knowledge and experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, etc.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills along with sound professional judgement, tact and diplomacy.
• Knowledge of the specific environment of the University of Guelph, its policies, organization and processes is considered an asset.
• A high level of discretion and confidentiality given some work assignments and issues addressed are confidential and may only be disclosed at the executive level.
• Must possess a high degree of commitment to the job, be highly motivated, and well‑organized to deal with a high volume of work.

Employee Type: Temporary

Position Number: 10924375

Classification: P&M FT- Band 04 Professional/Managerial Salary Bands

*Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 12/23/2025
Closing Date: 01/08/2026