Job Description

Department

Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Medicine Dept

Salary range

$76,135 to $104,709

Posted date

July 18, 2025

Closing date

August 1, 2025

Position Type

Full Time - Trust Funded

Description

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This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).


In accordance with the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement, this position has an annual salary range of $76,135 to $104,709. This position is not eligible for benefits. This position has an end date of March 31, 2026.

Location

- This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Metis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.


The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.


Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people -- from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Department of Medicine, Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit (AbSPORU)

The Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit (AbSPORU) is jointly funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Alberta Innovates (AI). It consists of four province-wide platforms/teams that offer services, resources, and training in patient-oriented research (POR). AbSPORU is a provincial initiative involving partnerships with the Universities of Alberta, Calgary, Lethbridge, and Athabasca as well as Alberta Innovates (AI), Alberta Health Services (AHS), and other community partners. The Learning Health System (LHS) Team of AbSPORU focuses on supporting health-systems teams to carry out evidence-informed change processes using knowledge mobilization, implementation science and learning health systems concepts, as well as building practice-informed research projects in these areas.

Position Summary

This position will be directed by the Assistant Director, Learning Health System (LHS), Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, in the Department of Medicine.


The major roles and responsibilities of the position will encompass managing the Learning Health System program of stakeholder engagement, including collaborative research projects and communications activities. The successful candidate is responsible for identifying and stewarding multiple partner and stakeholder relationships. The person in this role will assist with defining and implementing new engagement practices and approaches to ensure the success of all initiatives including ongoing research projects. The Specialist develops approaches to engagement, collaboration, and innovation that create improved value for LHS and its stakeholders.


This individual demonstrates a standard of excellence, enjoys a challenge, and is results-driven. He/she/they are also highly motivated, demonstrating the ability to use his/her/their own initiative and manage time effectively.

Duties

1. Managing all activities of the AbSPORU Implementation Science Collaborative.

This will require excellent ability to communicate, work collaboratively, and maintain momentum and enthusiasm in the face of ambiguity and shifting timelines. This includes:

Developing and maintaining professional relationships between self and stakeholder organizations (University of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge; Alberta Health and other deferral and provincial ministries; Alberta Health Services, Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR); and Alberta Innovates (AI)), policy/decision makers, researchers, care providers and networks; + Linking decision makers, researchers, and care providers with each other so that they are able to better understand each other's goals and professional cultures;
+ Where appropriate, identifying or responding to opportunities for assembling groups (i.e., working grounds, etc.) to engage in an ongoing assessment of topic specific issues and possible subsequent plans;
+ Leading the planning of community-building events in consultation with the Team Co-Leads, Assistant Director, other platform staff and community stakeholders;
+ Coordinating networks, organized around specific interests, e.g., training;
+ Being a resource and point of contact for other team members and for external collaborators and clients;
+ Working with the AbSPORU LHS Lead and Assistant Director to monitor resources and quality control;
+ Working with the Assistant Director to advise on the development of business and strategic plans and assisting with reporting to funders and other stakeholders;
+ Designing and implementing mechanisms for evaluating the Learning Health Systems' work.

2. Coordinating high-level, complex research activities and analysis specific to knowledge translation, implementation science and learning health systems.

This coordination will require a high degree of knowledge about the science involved in this work as well as highly developed abilities in management and communication. This work includes:

Setting objectives and timelines for each project; Determining which resources are needed and drawing on the knowledge of clinical and methodological experts; Overseeing operations and quality of work regarding all areas of research project execution; Supervising research team.

3. In addition to coordinating the platform's stakeholder engagement and communications stream of work, the incumbent will be required to independently carry out scholarly work, including:

Writing research papers, preparing presentations and publications; Presenting analytical research at seminars, stakeholder meetings, and conferences; ing for research funding as a co-applicant only.

4. Other duties required of this position will include:

Keeping abreast of best practices and emerging issues in knowledge translation, implementation science and learning health systems to support the Alberta SPOR Learning Health System as a leader in innovation; Contributing to special reports on the Learning Health System projects, activities, or accomplishments; Assisting with preparation of research grant applications and contract proposals; coordinating informal training sessions for the staff; Participating in formal training opportunities; Other duties as may be assigned by the Assistant Director

Qualifications

PhD preferred; minimum of a Master's degree with 3 to 5 years of health research experience; Experience with the principles of knowledge translation and implementation, and building and maintaining partnerships with multiple stakeholders to achieve common goals; Experience in a complex working environment dealing with multiple stakeholder groups; Excellent communication and writing skills for a variety of media of audiences; Experience with independently coordinating large research projects, including proposal preparations, project coordination, and ability in writing and editing scientific manuscripts; Strong leadership skills and management skills to lead projects and people; Ability to work collaboratively in an environment characterized by ambiguity, shifting timelines and priorities, and multiple projects underway simultaneously; Demonstrated excellent skills in oral and written communication; Detail-oriented, with strong organizational skills and proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines. Attention to the accuracy of grammar, spelling and punctuation is imperative; Demonstrated excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to meet project deadlines; Skilled in facilitation, collaboration, negotiation and problem solving.


At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.


We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.



All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms--physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of inclusivity and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.



The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Metis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.



L'Universite de l'Alberta s'engage a creer une communaute universitaire ou chaque personne se sent valorisee, ou les obstacles a la reussite sont elimines et ou des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se developper. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiees. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premieres nations, Metis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapees; personnes ayant une orientation sexuelle ou une identite et une expression sexospecifique; et tous ceux qui peuvent contribuer a la diversification des idees et a l'universite a postuler.

Note:

This opportunity will be available until midnight August 1, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time.