Research Associate, Sustainable Systems Engineering

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Calgary invites applications for a Research Associate in Sustainable Systems Engineering. This full-time fixed-term role is approximately 12 months, with possible extension based on grant funding.

It supports day-to-day research operations, administration, community engagement, fieldwork logistics, trainee coordination, reporting and knowledge mobilization under the PI and senior team. The position works 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with typical hours 8:30 am to 4:30

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 2–4 years of admin or research support experience.
• TCPS2 and GCP training required, or completed within first months.
• Knowledge of UC policies, IRISS, and research finance/approval pathways.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities across concurrent projects.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate project schedules, meetings, and action-item tracking.
• Support fieldwork logistics, site visits, trainings, and Living Lab demonstrations.
• Maintain project records, inventories, and reporting documentation.
• Assist with coordinating research data collection activities and timelines.
• Serve as a point of contact for communications among researchers, trainees, and partners.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Zoom

Time management

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

PeopleSoft

IRISS

OnCore

RMA

Job description

Description

Sustainable Systems Engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering invites applications for a Research Associate. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Volt-Age Creeburn Living Lab, known as the Creeburn CLEAR (Climate-Land-Energy-Water Reconciliation) Hub, is a community-led research and demonstration platform located at Creeburn Lake Lodge within the Traditional Territory of the Fort McKay First Nation. It aims to develop and test off-grid, renewable energy-powered technologies for ecosystem monitoring and restoration, including electric drones, solar-powered sensors, AI-enabled data systems, and Indigenous plant nurseries. By combining Indigenous knowledge with advanced digital and electrification technologies, the Living Lab seeks to improve biodiversity conservation, wildfire resilience, carbon sequestration, and environmental stewardship in remote northern ecosystems. The initiative also strengthens Indigenous leadership, capacity building, and sustainable economic development while supporting Canada’s decarbonization and climate resilience goals.

This position reports to the Principal Investigator (PI) of the Creeburn CLEAR Living Lab. The role supports day-to-day research operations, administration, community engagement activities, fieldwork logistics, trainee coordination, reporting, and knowledge mobilization under the direction of the Principal Investigator and senior project team members.

The hours of work are 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with normal business hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. This position is primarily on campus (minimum four days per week) and may be expected to provide service outside normal working hours. Peak working periods exist leading up to major national grant funding deadlines, typically in March and September.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

Research Coordination

• Coordinate project schedules, meetings, and action-item tracking using established project procedures and tools.


• Support planning and logistics for fieldwork, site visits, training activities, workshops, and Living Lab demonstrations.


• Maintain project records, documentation, inventories, and tracking systems to support research and reporting requirements.


• Assist with coordinating research data collection activities, ensuring project protocols and timelines are followed.


• Serve as a point of contact for operational communications among researchers, trainees, community partners, and external collaborators.

Community, right holder and stakeholder engagement

• Coordinate community meetings, workshops, focus groups, training sessions, and stakeholder engagement events.


• Support communication with Indigenous communities, partner organizations, researchers, students, and project participants.


• Prepare meeting agendas, record minutes, track action items, and maintain engagement records and contact databases.


• Assist with participant recruitment, registration, scheduling, and follow-up communications for project activities.


• Support community engagement activities in accordance with approved project plans and established engagement protocols.

Research administration and Ethics

• Support preparation and administrative processing of research ethics documentation and maintain related records under the guidance of project leadership.


• Maintain organized electronic and physical project files, ensuring records are complete, secure, and accessible.


• Track reporting deadlines, permits, agreements, certifications, and project compliance requirements.


• Support the preparation of grant-related documentation, progress reports, project deliverables, and new funding opportunities.


• Assist with coordinating institutional approvals, training certifications, and administrative processes required for research activities.

Financial and operational Support

• Process expense claims, invoices, purchase requisitions, reimbursement, and procurement requests in accordance with university policies.


• Maintain expenditure tracking records and provide information to support project budget monitoring.


• Coordinate travel arrangements, fieldwork logistics, accommodations, transportation, and associated documentation.


• Maintain records of equipment, supplies, software licenses, and project assets.


• Assist with preparing financial summaries, supporting documentation, and information required for project reporting and audits.

Knowledge mobilization and communication

• Support preparation and dissemination of project reports, presentations, briefing notes, newsletters, and knowledge products.


• Assist with organizing conferences, webinars, workshops, public engagement events, and community outreach activities.


• Maintain project websites, mailing lists, social media content, and communication materials as required.


• Coordinate the collection and organization of project outputs, publications, photographs, and success stories.


• Assist with preparation and distribution of communication materials using approved content and formats.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, or any other relevant field. A combination of experience and on-the-job training will be considered.


• Experience: 2–4 years of related experience in an administrative or research support role.


• Current or recent TCPS2 (Course on Research Ethics) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training required, or completion within the first months of employment.


• Strong knowledge of University of Calgary research policies and processes, including research ethics, IRISS, and research finance and approval pathways.


• Strong knowledge of TCPS2, privacy and confidentiality obligations, informed consent, participant protection, and protocol compliance.


• Demonstrated experience preparing and maintaining research ethics (REB) submissions, amendments, renewals, reportable events, and study close-out documentation.


• Demonstrated experience coordinating participant recruitment, screening, consent, follow-up, study visits, data collection, and retention activities.


• Skills:
  oProficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word, Teams).
  oProficiency with Zoom, including Zoom AI features
  oExperience with University of Calgary systems (PeopleSoft, IRISS, OnCore, RMA) is highly desirable.
  oStrong organizational and time-management skills.
  oExperience with research ethics and grant funding cycles.
  oAbility to manage multiple priorities across concurrent projects

Application Deadline: September 8, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 1.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii’ taa'poh’to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university’s commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and policies at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding diversity EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([e-mail]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.