Research Manager ( Remote)

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 19,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy, and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. We recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their intentions to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming and co-curricular activities.

Global Water Futures Observatories (GWFO) monitor and help support the development of solutions for the impending water crisis that is facing Canadians and are an early warning system for the water disasters that increasingly afflict Canada. GWFO is an integrated, networked facility of 76 instrumented basins, lakes, rivers, and wetlands, 27 deployable observation systems, and 31 state-of-the-art water laboratories that provides urgently needed scientific data to deliver flood, drought, and water quality solutions. GWFO operates on an unprecedented national scale, across 7 provinces and territories, 6 major river basins, and the Great Lakes Basin. The program leverages $73.5M in investments from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the 9 partner universities.

The Northern Research Coordinator plays a key role for Laurier as a GWFO partner university and will be part of a highly productive team of university researchers, technicians, and partners working in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The position is central to the coordination of Laurier’s northern research activities, supporting the success of northern research faculty and interdisciplinary research teams. As the primary contact for Laurier’s Yellowknife research office, the incumbent will be responsible for daily operations with the research office acting as a central point for research coordination and networking. A key role of the position will be to collaborate with a diverse and distributed team of researchers, community members, and partner organizations to support effective research activities and operations. The position requires strong communication and project management skills and a commitment to safety and inclusion in research.

This position is based out of Laurier’s Yellowknife Research Office in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (NWT).

Support northern research activities and operations for Laurier researchers.

• Coordinate operations and maintenance of northern research facilities and major equipment, including some support for the operations of research field sites throughout the NWT as needed (non-technical installation, construction, maintenance, and repair).
• building management, fleet management, service technicians, equipment suppliers)
• Support fleet management and vehicle user approvals
• Coordinate and facilitate access to northern research infrastructure and support the implementation and use of user fee and tracking systems
• Liaise with NWT-based partners as needed to facilitate Laurier’s northern research, including support for research-related events
• Contribute to annual reporting for research funders and other stakeholder groups

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• Responsible for the administration and daily operations of multiple northern research sites, including the Yellowknife Research Office and Enterprise Drive building.
• Act as a liaison between various members of interdisciplinary research teams
• Serve as the primary contact at Laurier’s Yellowknife Research Office and Enterprise Drive building
• Manage the operations of Laurier’s Yellowknife Research Office and oversee the daily activities of office staff and visiting researchers and guests
• Lead the administration and operations at the multiple sites of Laurier’s other northern research buildings and infrastructure located in Yellowknife, including the Enterprise Drive building
• Coordinate and execute day-to-day operations of the Research Office and Enterprise Drive building, including acting as the occupational health and safety coordinator
• Serve as client relationship manager for internal and external tenants paying for accommodations at the Enterprise Drive building
• Collaborate with various units across the institution including research finance, the Office of Research Services, accounts payable, and procurement to ensure compliance with university and funder policies
• Maintain an inventory of office and building equipment and materials
• Coordinate shipments and deliveries for Laurier research teams and staff
• Oversees and maintains an inventory of all NWT-based infrastructure and assets.
• Lead, coordinate, and liaise with Campus Operations & Risk Management to support insurance needs and activities for Laurier’s Yellowknife Research Office, Enterprise Drive building, and northern research infrastructure and assets
• Ensure appropriate insurance and registrations are maintained on all northern research infrastructure

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This Position Reports to: Manager, Research Partnerships and Impact
This position will provide oversight of users of the Yellowknife Research Office and Enterprise Drive building, support activities through office administration and communication, and support their health and safety when using the office and other research infrastructure.

Post-secondary degree in a GWFO-related field (e.g., geography, earth science, water science, geomatics, biology, or related field)
~MSc inGWFO-related field considered an asset

Experience with planning and executing complex, interdisciplinary research programs
Experience with research programs in remote and logistically challenging regions like the NWT considered an asset

• Proven ability to work in a team environment with research faculty, highly qualified personnel, students, as well as other scientists, partner organizations and community members
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to positively interact and work with internal colleagues and external collaborators, members of communities and partner organizations
• Detail-oriented, independent, resourceful, innovative, flexible, accessible
• A valid driver’s licence is required and willingness to travel and work in northern locations
• Previous publications, authorship of policy papers, and other research dissemination an asset

This is a full-time, limited term opportunity with an anticipated end date of March 31, 2027. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to travel or meetings in remote northern locations. In addition, the Northern Research Coordinator may need to meet (via pre-arrangement) incoming or outgoing field teams during weekends or evenings to enable access to equipment, storage, etc. This role offers limited flexibility regarding flexible work arrangements. Please see Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy) for more information. Rate of pay: $38.80 to $41.02 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $44.35 per hour.

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careersfor additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online.