Research Manager, College of Arts & Science

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; Hybrid; CAD 87,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Saskatoon seeks an Assistant Manager for the SK-NEIHR, focusing on Indigenous health research. The role requires significant experience in research management and staff supervision. Responsibilities include supporting research objectives, overseeing graduate student support, and facilitating grant applications. Ideal candidates will possess a graduate degree and strong leadership skills. Salary ranges from $87,266 to $145,353 based on experience.

Benefits

Employment equity

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Indigenous career opportunities

Potential for hybrid work

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of experience managing health research projects.
• Five years or more supervising staff.
• Extensive knowledge of Indigenous health and research methods.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day management of the Saskatchewan NEIHR Network.
• Oversee support for graduate students and new investigators.
• Facilitate development and submission of Indigenous research grant applications.
• Provide leadership in transferring knowledge to society through outreach.

Skills

Indigenous health research

Leadership

Research facilitation

Communication skills

Education

Graduate degree in a relevant field

Job description

Overview

Research Manager, College of Arts & Science

SK-NEIHR supports First Nations and Métis health research through activities designed to address barriers to Indigenous stakeholder participation in research. The network partners with University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, First Nations University, and community organizations. Information about the network is available at skneihr.ca. Annual Reports are online under the About Us tab on the SK-NEIHR website.

Primary Purpose

The SK-NEIHR’s day-to-day operations are led by a Manager who has been with the SK-NEIHR research team since 2018. The Manager currently supervises a staff team of five and is a key contact on the 2024 CIHR grant. As the network grows, an Assistant Manager is required. The Assistant Manager will report to the Manager and is expected to take over the Manager’s role in the coming years. The position requires considerable experience in research facilitation, leadership, staff management, Indigenous health research, and knowledge translation.

Nature of Work

This position is accountable to the SK-NEIHR Manager and to the Nominated Principal Investigator. Under their guidance, the Assistant Manager will support day-to-day management of the Saskatchewan NEIHR Network. This is a senior staff position with experience in research facilitation, Indigenous health research, knowledge translation, and leadership. The grant supporting the Saskatchewan NEIHR network involves multiple partners and 75 people named on the 2024 grant. This is a fast-paced environment requiring the ability to balance priorities and exercise judgment. This position is professional or supervisory in nature and is exempt from overtime.

Accountabilities

Research work will be undertaken with direction from the SK-NEIHR Manager, the Nominated Principal Investigator, and research leads. Responsibilities may include:

• Work with the Manager and staff to meet research objectives in the SK-NEIHR grant and ensure the Network functions well.
• Oversee ongoing support for graduate students and new investigators, continuing work from the Saskatchewan Indigenous Mentorship Network now part of SK-NEIHR.
• Assist the Nominated Principal Investigator and the Research Manager of the NEIHR National Coordinating Centre to meet national grant objectives and ensure the Coordinating Centre functions effectively.
• Support the day-to-day work of research staff, including community research facilitators, communications and knowledge translation officers, research administrative officers, the knowledge keeper in residence, research assistants, and others. Reporting lines will be established and revised as needed. Currently the Manager supervises five staff positions.
• Support regular SK-NEIHR activities, including:
  • providing research support funds under Community Partnership and Knowledge Translation programs
  • supporting regular PI and staff meetings, staff meetings, and an annual retreat
  • hosting annual Research Engagement Days
  • producing annual reports
  • supporting graduate student training
  • supporting SK-NEIHR participation in the national Annual Gathering of Indigenous Graduate Students
  • supporting annual training weeks for graduate students and Indigenous high school students
  • supporting communications and outreach through website, social media, and other means
  • supporting external evaluation of SK-NEIHR
• Maintaining strong linkages with academic and non-academic partners including governments, tribal councils, and community organizations; add value through:
  • recruitment and retention of faculty and students by enriching the research environment
  • advancing curriculum and informing teaching
  • organizing workshops and seminars
  • providing interdisciplinary research training and mentoring
  • regularly communicating Network activities and involvement opportunities

Facilitate development and submission of Indigenous research grant applications including:

• Research facilitation to identify funding opportunities and match academics with community partners
• Guidance in grant proposal writing and preparation of attachments (CVs, budgets, letters of support, governance and logic models, participant tables, etc.)
• Reviewing and editing research proposals and attachments, summaries, and reports
• Developing and delivering training in grant proposal writing, research management, and knowledge translation

Provide support for research fund management

Develop and nurture networks among the SK-NEIHR, researchers, trainees, and community members locally, nationally and internationally, with focus on other NEIHR Centres/Networks and Indigenous Mentorship Networks

Act as advisor on interpretation of university and funding policies and procedures to ensure timely and accurate grant administration

Provide support for Network research team members in their roles, contributing to the Network’s operation and success

Provide leadership in transferring knowledge to society through outreach (webinars, workshops, lectures, websites, publications)

Assist with recruitment and retention of personnel (job descriptions, advertising, interviewing, hiring, supervising, performance reviews)

Other duties as needed

Qualifications

Education: Graduate degree required in a field related to this work (e.g., Indigenous Studies, Social Science, Health).

Experience: A minimum of ten years of experience managing health research projects at provincial or national level, five years or more supervising staff, and a minimum of five years of experience in Indigenous health.

Skills:

Communications and leadership: Ability to exercise independent initiative, work collaboratively with academic and administrative staff, work well in a team, and demonstrate strong planning, organizational, written and verbal communication skills.

Research: Extensive knowledge of Tri-Council, SHRF and other funding agencies, research grant processes, and research administration policies. Familiarity with Indigenous research methods, qualitative/quantitative, community-based participatory research, and mixed methods.

Indigenous health: Extensive knowledge of Indigenous health research and knowledge translation, Indigenous cultures, languages, governance, and issues related to truth, reconciliation, decolonization, cultural humility and safety, race, sex and gender. Experience with distinctions-based research, community-based methods, and qualitative/quantitative health research methodologies.

Additional Information

For more information on SK-NEIHR, see the SK-NEIHR website (skneihr.ca) and the 2020-2024 Annual Report online under the About Us tab. For inquiries about this position, contact SK-NEIHR Manager Fleur Macqueen Smith, MA, at [e-mail] with the subject line: “Inquiry re SK-NEIHR Assistant Manager position.”

Department: Indigenous Studies

Status: Term Two Years with the possibility of extension

Employment Group: ASPA

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: 87,266.00 – 145,353.00 per annum; starting salary commensurate with education and experience

Salary Family: Managerial

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3

Posted Date: 9/2/2025

Closing Date: 10/13/2025 at 6:00 pm CST

Number of Openings: 1

Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under USask guidelines

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion and supports Indigenous career opportunities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to accommodations for those with a disability or medical need. Verification of Indigenous membership/citizenship is conducted per the University policy and Standing Committee process. The University of Saskatchewan acknowledges Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We are dedicated to Indigenization and to strengthening these relationships.