Research Communications Specialist

Ottawa Heart; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is seeking a Research Communications Specialist for ARCHIMEDES, a bilingual health data platform. You will translate project milestones into accessible content and drive partner engagement to enhance visibility and adoption.

Reporting to ARCHIMEDES Co-Chairs, you will develop educational materials, coordinate outreach activities, and collaborate with researchers, partners and the UOHI Communications team to maximize impact and reach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Science, Marketing, Health Sciences or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in communications, partner engagement, knowledge mobilization, public relations or educational outreach.
• Experience leading multi-partner communications projects and managing competing priorities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences and develop strategic communications plans.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work with multi-institutional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communications strategies aligned with ARCHIMEDES priorities.
• Create plans for initiatives, events, and announcements.
• Produce high-quality written materials (newsletters, websites, presentations, promos).
• Manage ARCHIMEDES' digital presence and branding.
• Collaborate with experts to develop educational content and learning opportunities.
• Translate scientific information into accessible content for diverse audiences.
• Coordinate outreach to connect researchers and partners with ARCHIMEDES.

Skills

Strategic communications

Content development

Partner engagement

Educational outreach

Translation of complex information

Project coordination

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/Health Sciences/PR

Tools

Outlook

Design tools

Job description

The University of Ottawa Heart Institute does not use artificial intelligence (AI) in its recruitment process. All hiring decisions are made through human review and evaluation.

Term

Two (2) year contract, with possibility of renewal.

Job summary

Help tell the story, build the community, and drive engagement around an ambitious new chapter in Canadian health research. The Research Communications Specialist will support ARCHIMEDES (Advanced Research Collaboration for Health Integration, MEDical Exploration and data Synthesis), a bilingual multi-institutional health data platform developed under the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI) program, a $109M initiative funded through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF).

ARCHIMEDES is tackling a fundamental challenge in Canada: health data exists across institutions and research programs, but too often remains fragmented and difficult to bring together. The platform aims to enable secure access to diverse health data and support responsible data sharing, while opening new possibilities for advanced research and innovation. At a pivotal moment for health data, data sovereignty, and homegrown Canadian innovation, this role will help researchers and partners understand, engage with and ultimately embrace a platform with national potential.

In this role, the Research Communications Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing strategic communications, content development, partner engagement, and educational outreach activities that advance the mission, visibility, and impact of the research portfolio at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in general, and more specifically for ARCHIMEDES.

Reporting to the Co-Chairs of ARCHIMEDES and working closely with the UOHI Communications team and institutional representatives, the Research Communications Specialist will translate project development and milestones into accessible content, foster partner engagement, and conduct communication and outreach initiatives that promote awareness and understanding of ARCHIMEDES among researchers, partners, and other key audiences to advancing the platform’s visibility, adoption, and overall impact.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Communications and Content

• Develop and implement communications strategies aligned with ARCHIMEDES priorities and objectives.
• Create and implement communication plans for major initiatives, projects, events, and announcements.
• Develop high-quality written materials including newsletters, website content, presentations, and promotional materials.
• Manage and enhance ARCHIMEDES' digital presence, including websites, social media channels, and email communications.
• Provide stewardship of communications branding, messaging, and visual identity, ensuring alignment with ARCHIMEDES standards.
• Identify communications opportunities and recommend appropriate strategies and responses.
• Monitor emerging issues and support proactive communications planning.
• Translate complex scientific, technical, and research information into accessible and engaging content for different audiences.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to develop educational content and learning opportunities.
• Develop outreach initiatives that introduce researchers and partners to ARCHIMEDES and help them understand its value and potential applications.
• Evaluate educational initiatives and identify opportunities to enhance reach and impact.

Events and Program Support

• Coordinate communication and outreach activities related to conferences, workshops, meetings, and events.
• Develop promotional materials and communication campaigns to support event participation and engagement.
• Support event planning, logistics, stakeholder communications, and post-event reporting.
• Identify opportunities to use events, conferences and scientific forums to build awareness of ARCHIMEDES and connect with prospective researchers and partners.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Science, Marketing, Health Sciences, or related fields, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in communications, partner engagement, knowledge mobilization, public relations or educational outreach.
• Experience implementing communications projects and coordinating deliverables involving multiple partners and competing priorities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans and managing integrated communications initiatives across multiple channels.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with multi-institutional teams and external stakeholders.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience within academic, healthcare, research, or innovation environments.
• Experience coordinating events, workshops, or educational programming.
• Knowledge of research communications, and stakeholder engagement best practices.
• Experience with social media platforms, design tools, and Outlook.
• Bilingual (French and English) considered an asset.

Working conditions

• This is a hybrid position based at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI). It is expected that the successful candidate will be onsite at UOHI approximately 2 days per week.

Applications from Indigenous persons, members of racialized minorities, persons with disabilities, women, members of the LGBTQ + community, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse and inclusive communities are strongly encouraged.

According to government policy, all qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is committed to ensuring barrier-free selection processes and work environments. Accommodations will be provided in all parts of the hiring process relating to any specialty requirements. Please notify us of any accommodations that you require – any information you provide will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The successful candidate will be required, prior to the start of employment, to complete mandatory organizational training available online, and provide the following: an official piece of photo identification and a satisfactory Criminal Record Check and proof of COVID-19 vaccine.