Description

The Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship in the Office of VP Research is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Senior Specialist for approximately 12 months.

The University of Calgary is a comprehensive academic and research institution, with a mission to discover new knowledge and translate our discoveries into applications and advancements that benefit our local, national, and international communities. Transdisciplinary scholarship addresses the complexity of problems and opportunities in these communities by building on knowledge between, across and beyond traditional disciplines. The Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship (ITS) provide the connection point for the University of Calgary community to work in this way. The Institutes have a mandate to define, engage, and enhance transdisciplinary work with the University community and our partners. The University of Calgary organizes this work in five areas of focus: Digital Worlds, Cities and Societies, Energy Futures, Health and Life, and Democracy, Justice, and Sustainability.

The Senior Specialist, ITS (Health and Life) will help strengthen our support of transdisciplinary scholarship within their assigned area of focus and will work closely with. The position will report to the Manager, Transdisciplinary Scholarship. The Senior Specialist, ITS (Health and Life) will work closely with the Senior Specialists for each of the other areas of focus (Digital Worlds, Cities and Societies, Energy Futures, and Democracy, Justice, and Sustainability), the VPR Office, the Academic Co-Leads for their Area of Focus, and other units on campus as required.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
• Maintain a knowledge and record of key university researchers in the areas of focus, industry players, and government decision makers needed to advance the goals of transdisciplinary scholarship.
• Identify and build new collaborations across campus, which includes identifying key scholars and bringing them together (students, staff, and faculty) from diverse disciplines to work on a challenge of common interest; this includes actively initiating, supporting, and tracking follow-up meetings to ensure new collaborations are nurtured.
• Plan, coordinate and execute events and networking opportunities, campus wide or on a smaller scale; this includes coordinating room bookings, catering, managing registrations, developing event content, and attendance to facilitate the event and build connections.
• Develop resources to promote transdisciplinary scholarship with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify transdisciplinary funding opportunities, communicate opportunities with stakeholders, and bring together scholars interested in participating in the opportunity.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to engage with the UCalgary community and external stakeholders on transdisciplinary scholarship.
• Attend events on and off campus to build relationships and grow transdisciplinary scholarship collaborations.
• Develop and maintain excellent relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Liaising with on-campus units, including VP Research Office, Research Services Office units, Faculty (particularly Research Facilitators), and others as required to help identify and initiate opportunities for transdisciplinary scholarship and research.
• Liaising with Grad Studies and Provost's office on new transdisciplinary initiatives geared towards academic staff and (graduate) students.
• Communicate independently with stakeholders to facilitate relationship building and promote transdisciplinary opportunities across campus and beyond.
• Work closely with the VP Research Communications team on institution-wide communications to stakeholders by providing high-quality content, and developing presentations, reports, and other communications materials as required.
• Prepare and present status reports, correspondence and other documentation; and provide timely and accurate information and updates.
• Manages data collection and analysis of project outcomes.
• Tracking of measures of success (such as event attendance, new connections and collaborations, transdisciplinary applications submitted, publications resulting from transdisciplinary work, successful funding applications, etc.) and reporting of those measures to show the effectiveness of activities undertaken.
• Working with the Manager, Transdisciplinary Scholarship, provide administrative support with internal transdisciplinary scholarship funding opportunities, including support to applicants.
• General administrative support in relation to setting meetings, events, and other duties.

Qualifications / Requirements:
• A university degree is required, combined with 5-7years of related, relevant experience in the area of focus.
• Proven ability to support relationship building.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders (staff, students, faculty, community members, etc.) and the ability to present concepts and results.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to help facilitate building new collaborations between scholars (faculty, staff and HQP) to effectively promote transdisciplinary research on and off campus.
• Successful track record of experience in the implementation of projects and initiatives.
• Deep understanding of and significant experience in academic research including procurement of research funding from external agencies.
• Experience in successfully negotiating solutions to complex problems and balancing competing interests.
• Experience coordinating and promoting events, such as working sessions, webinars, or speaker series.
• Highly developed organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work in teams as well as independently.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment and to demonstrate a high level of tact, diplomacy, and discretion.
• Experience with knowledge dissemination.
• Experience in tracking and reporting metrics and outcomes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Adobe Acrobat, Zoom.
• Knowledge of the university environment and systems is an asset.
• Good working knowledge of University policies relating to research and training is required.
• Demonstrable experience in supporting research activities at a university would be considered a strong asset.
• Sound decision-making capabilities required.

Application Deadline: August 20, 2024

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse ****** orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.