Research Coordinator, Determinants of Child Development Lab, Faculty of Arts

Description

The Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts invites applications for a Research Coordinator. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Research Coordinator will report to the Principal Investigator (PI; Dr. Sheri Madigan) and lab Research Associates on projects focused on child mental health conducted through the Determinants of Child Development Lab. The Research Coordinator will work up to 35 hours per week Monday to Friday, but occasional evening, weekend requirements may be required. Some travel for this position may also be required.

The Research Coordinator (RC) will be responsible for the coordination and overall administration of research projects including applying to Research Ethics Boards, supporting the PI/Research Associates with grant reporting, recruiting and training lab volunteers, development and refinement of lab policies, PI calendar coordination, and contributing to written reports. The RC will plan, organize and lead activities related to the project including organizing and facilitating quantitative and qualitative data collection, liaising with project sites and community partners, supporting data entry, creating data and content for presentations, and leading a team of 2-3 undergraduate research assistants.

The RC will also provide primary support in the areas of budgeting, research accounting, accounts payable, and general administrative support. Detailed understanding of University of Calgary processes, and the capacity to make decisions and exercise judgments aligning with these objectives and understanding of impacts is critical. This key position coordinates the delivery of financial services while adhering to and promoting internal control and best practices and policies. This position advises, coordinates and administers the operational aspects of financial processes within the grant funding and ensures these processes are effectively planned, coordinated and communicated to relevant team members. Additional responsibilities will include meeting scheduling, expensing, obtaining signatures, and development of manuals, lab policies etc.

The RC should possess strong organizational skills, discretion and sensitivity in managing communications, interpersonal skills, writing abilities, and work effectively in a team environment and independently with minimal supervision.

This position provides critical administrative coordination and support to the PI/Research Associates with the execution of various projects in the lab, including organization and facilitation of data collection, research ethics applications, grant reporting, and academic and non-academic writing. The RC may also be called upon to act as a liaison for the Principal Investigator and the research project to ensure that important project-related information is relayed in an accurate and timely manner and to guide stakeholders to the appropriate person or resources. The Research Coordinator will monitor project deadlines and deliverables, and be responsible for annual project reporting to funders. The RC may also support collaboration with other related research projects and ensuring that resources, such as specialized equipment, workspaces, and supplies, are maintained and readily available. The RC will also provide primary administrative support to the Determinants of Child Development Lab in the areas of budgeting and research accounting, personnel management, scheduling and preparing meetings, developing lab manuals and policies, and coordinating the PI's calendar. Success in the role will require judgment and decision making, following procedures and guidelines set by the PI, and collaboration with the research team and community partners. The candidate may support other research projects directed by the Principal Investigator by providing knowledge and skills to others.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Coordination and administration of overall research projects as needed.
• Annual grant reporting for project funder.
• Research ethics board applications and monitoring.
• Initial data cleaning and analysis.
• Monitoring of project deliverables.
• Completing assigned and scheduled tasks under own initiative with limited direct supervision.
• Assisting the PI with providing direction to administrative and research staff and students in the assignment of tasks and duties.
• Participating in the core research team meetings involving researchers, partners, and research assistants (~5-8 people). The RC will be expected to provide study updates, maintain meeting notes/minutes, and contribute to discussions.
• Properly managing research files and documents as outlined in the protocols. For instance, storing files in an appropriate and organized manner.
• Coordinating and conducting data collection.
• Maintaining detailed and organized project documentation (both electronic and physical files; includes storing and managing the files).
• Creating project reports and academic and non-academic knowledge translation.
• Other related duties as assigned. Specific duties will vary with the needs, priorities, and stage of development of the project.
• Budgeting, accounting and forecasting support through assisting with preparation of monthly variance/forecast analysis and other financial analysis.
• Processing purchase orders, invoices, requisitions and goods/services of all types.
• Processing requests for payroll reconciliations, payment processing, and journal entries.
• Support the management of budgets and act as a contact for all finance and accounting related issues and follow up with key stakeholders as required.
• Responding to queries from manager and PI by investigating and resolving problems with ordering; obtains quotes and invoices as necessary.
• Decision support through the identification, articulation, & communication of potential risks to project funding.
• Resolving issues with supply chain management, research accounting and accounts.
• Vendor set-up and maintenance, following up on outstanding payments, encumbrances and P Card/TE Card reconciliations.
• Preparing monthly and annual funding forecast and analysis for review to determine planned use of resources within the budget framework.
• Reporting will include preparation of ad-hoc financial reporting and facilitating the routing of reports where quantitative (financial data produced by Financial Reporting) & qualitative information is required.
• Providing advice of non-adherence to University policies and escalate when appropriate to ensure resolution.
• Recruiting and training lab volunteers.
• Recommending the operational use of resources in providing the most effective and efficient delivery of financial services.
• Assisting with educating team members within lab on finance process, reimbursement claims, budgeting, and planning.
• Assisting in coordination of meeting and event planning, including scheduling, booking rooms and equipment, catering and making travel arrangements for participants if necessary

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Minimum Master's degree in Psychology, Human Development, Public Health or other related area is preferred.
• Three years of experience in coordinating research programs or projects is required.
• Two or more years of work experience in progressively more responsible roles that include accounting functions, including budgeting, and financial analysis.

A combination of education, training and experience may be considered including:

• Experience with quantitative data management required.
• Prior experience working with community partners on research projects is a strong asset.
• Ability to plan and direct research and administrative activities within a team environment.
• Ability to provide support to other members of the team and related units or teams.
• Superior knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint,) and a high-level of understanding of the university business systems (PeopleSoft).
• Experience with SPSS (and other quantitative software) and REDCap is a strong asset.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (written and oral), and organizational skills required.
• Demonstrated ability in professional writing, preparing reports and conducting literature reviews for the purpose of presentations and publications.
• Demonstrate ability to produce time-sensitive documents/correspondence independently and within tight deadlines.

Application Deadline: May 2, 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 2.

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

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