Job Description

Research Manager, College of Arts & Science

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In March 2020, Canada's national health research funder, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), announced funding to establish nine Indigenous health research centres across the country under its Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) program. This network of centres is intended to be funded from 2020 to 2035 (15 years; 2 renewal cycles), to create and sustain supportive health research environments driven by and grounded in Indigenous communities in Canada. In 2024, the NEIHRs were renewed for another five years.



Metis and First Nations people across Saskatchewan are strong leaders in creating positive changes in health care delivery, and in addressing health and social disparities experienced by their communities. Research is central to their efforts. The n?tawihowin and mamawiikikayaahk Research and Mentorship Networks that make up the Saskatchewan NEIHR (SK-NEIHR, skneihr.ca), while housed at the University of Saskatchewan, are partnered with First Nations University of Canada and the University of Regina, and work with communities and organizations across the province.



SK-NEIHR supports First Nations and Metis health research through a number of activities, all developed to address barriers that can prevent Indigenous stakeholders from participating in research. These barriers--including geographic location, lack of staff capacity, and a lack of local and regional infrastructure--and ways to address them were identified through an extensive community consultation process with our partners and advisory councils. More information on this network is available at skneihr.ca. Annual Reports on the network's activities and impact 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 from the grant development phase in 2018 until the present. The Manager currently supervises a staff team of five, and is a key contact with the 75 people named on the 2024 CIHR grant. As this network has continued to grow and we take on more staff, we are in need of an Assistant Manager. The Assistant Manager will report to the Manager, with the expectation that they will take over the Manager's role sometime in the next few years. They will be involved in many aspects of managing the SK-NEIHR, taking over tasks as they become more familiar with this network. This is a senior staff position, requiring considerable experience in research facilitator, leadership, staff management, Indigenous health research and knowledge translation.

Nature of Work:

This position is accountable to the SK-NEIHR Manager Fleur Macqueen Smith, and to the Nominated Principal Investigator, Dr. Robert (Bobby) Henry. Under their guidance, along with the Principal Investigators on the grant, the Assistant Manager will help support day to day management of the Saskatchewan NEIHR Network. This is a senior staff position, requiring considerable experience in research facilitation, Indigenous health research and knowledge translation, and leadership. The grant supporting the Saskatchewan NEIHR network is large, with people from University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, First Nations University, and many community organizations, with 75 people named on the 2024 grant, and 57 letters of support from collaborating units and organizations. This is a fast-paced work environment, and you will need to balance competing priorities and shifting timelines, and exercise judgment and discretion. This position is professional or supervisory in nature and is therefore exempt from overtime.

Accountabilities:

Research work will be undertaken with the direction, guidance, and support of the SK-NEIHR Manager, Nominated Principal Investigator Dr. Robert (Bobby) Henry, research leads and core staff team. You will be involved in a range of research tasks, which could include:


Working collaboratively with the Manager and staff to ensure that the research objectives laid out in the SK NEIHR grant are met, and the Network is functioning well. Overseeing ongoing support for graduate students and new investigators, continuing work commenced with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Mentorship Network that is now part of SK-NEIHR If required, providing assistance to the Nominated Principal Investigator and the Research Manager of NEIHR National Coordinating Centre, to ensure that the research objectives laid out in the National Coordinating Centre grant are met and the Coordinating Centre is functioning well. The Assistant Manager will support the Manager in overseeing the day-to-day work of research staff, including community research facilitators, communications and knowledge translation officer, resarch administrative officers, the knowledge keeper in residence, research assistants, and others hired to support this Network's work. As staff are hired, reporting lines will be established, which will be reviewed and revised periodically as needed. Currently the Manager supervises five staff positions. Supporting regular activities of SK-NEIHR, including: + providing research support funds under the Community Partnership and Knowledge Translation programs
+ supporting regular meetings of the Principal Investigator and Staff team, staff meetings, and an annual Principal Investigator and staff 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 for Indigenous high school students interested in studying health sciences and STEM
+ supporting communications and outreach activities through the website, social media, and other means
+ supporting external evaluation of the SK-NEIHR
Maintaining strong linkages with academic departments and units, and non-academic organizations, including governments, tribal councils, and community-based organizations, adding value to the Network through: + aiding faculty and student recruitment and retention by enriching the research environment
+ advancing curriculum and informing teaching
+ mounting workshops and seminars
+ providing interdisciplinary research training and mentoring for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and community members
+ regularly communicating Network activities, and opportunities for faculty, student and community member involvement.
Facilitating the development and submission of Indigenous research grant applications, including: + Research facilitation: identifying funding opportunities, seeking out and matching academics with community partners
+ Providing guidance and support in grant proposal writing and preparation of grant applications (including CVs, budgets and budget justifications, letters of support, governance and logic models, participant tables, and other relevant attachments), research management, research communications, event planning and knowledge translation
+ Reviewing and editing research proposals and attachments, summaries and reports
+ Developing and delivering training in grant proposal writing, research management, research communications, event planning and knowledge translation
Providing support for research fund management Developing and nurturing networks between the SK-NEIHR, researchers, trainees, and community members locally, nationally and internationally, with a particular focus on the other funded NEIHR Centres/Networks and Indigenous Mentorship Networks Acting as an advisor/consultant in the interpretation of University and funding agency policies and procedures, and as a resource for internal clients (faculty, researchers, research staff, etc.) to ensure that the grant administration is carried out promptly, accurately and effectively Providing support for Network research team members (academic and non-academic), in their roles, contributing to the Network's operation and success Providing leadership in transferring knowledge to society through outreach (e.g. collaborative research; webinars; workshops; lectures; websites; publications) Assisting with recruitment and retention of personnel (preparing job descriptions, advertising, interviewing, hiring, supervising, conducting performance reviews) Other duties as needed

Education:

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

Experience:

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

Skills:

Communications and leadership: Ability to exercise independent initiative and work collaboratively with academic and administrative staff; ability to work well in a team environment; exceptional planning and organizational skills; exceptional written and verbal communication skills

Research: extensive knowledge of TriCouncil, SHRF and other research funding agencies, research grant application processes, research administrative management policies and procedures. Familiarity with Indigenous research methods, qualitative research, quantitative research, community-based participatory research, and mixed methods.

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



For more information on SK-NEIHR, please see the SK-NEIHR website at skneihr.ca, in particular the 2020-2024 Annual Report online

here

(on the website under the About Us tab). For more information on this position, please contact SK-NEIHR Manager Fleur Macqueen Smith, MA, at

fleur.macqueensmith@usask.ca

, 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:

The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $87,266.00 - 145,353.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable):

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 the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines




The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the

deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy

and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Metis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Metis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.