The School’s mission is excellence in rehabilitation science teaching, research, scholarship, and leadership to improve the quality of life and well-being for all people of Saskatchewan and beyond. Faculty within our School have active research programs across a broad range of initiatives, collaborating with several local, provincial, and national research groups. The successful candidate will join our team and assist in advancing our strategic plan focused on establishing a hub for rehabilitation science education, research, and community engagement, strengthening Indigenous initiatives, progressing our graduate programming, and enhancing inter-professional collaborative practice and research.

Primary Purpose: The Research Facilitator will provide strategic and operational support to the research enterprise of the School of Rehabilitation Science (SRS). This role is designed to increase the number and quality of research proposals developed by faculty, improve funding success rates, and support the administration of funded research projects. The position also contributes to the school’s broader research goals through communication, collaboration, and special projects. In addition, the Research Facilitator will play a key role in supporting new faculty members as they establish their research programs, helping them navigate internal processes, identify funding opportunities, and build collaborative networks. This role also aligns with and supports the strategic research priorities of the College of Medicine and the broader goals of the university.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Director, the Research Facilitator works independently and collaboratively to support faculty research development, identify funding opportunities, and facilitate proposal preparation. The role requires a deep understanding of the research funding landscape, university research policies, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Facilitator will also liaise with the Office of the Vice-Dean Research (OVDR), Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives (RASI), and external partners to enhance the SRS’s research profile.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

Research Development and Funding Support

Assist faculty in identifying and pursuing research funding opportunities. Support the development of grant proposals, including budgeting, project planning, ethics submissions and ensure operational and institutional approvals are obtained in a timely manner. Provide strategic advice to faculty on funding alignment and proposal competitiveness. Facilitate interdisciplinary and cross-college research collaborations. Maintain a proactive awareness of local, provincial, national and international funding landscapes, and communicate relevant opportunities to faculty Analyze and align research funding initiatives with faculty expertise and emerging research areas within the SRS. Support the development of large-scale, strategic funding proposals by fostering interdisciplinary linkages and external partnerships Serve as a resource for identifying and interpreting funding agency guidelines and ensuring compliance with submission requirements. Collaborate with the OVDR and RASI to ensure institutional policies and procedures are followed during budget and proposal development. Review and edit draft funding proposals to ensure alignment with institutional research priorities and enhance clarity, coherence, and competitiveness

Research Administration

Collaborate with the Research Finance and Administrative Officer to report on research metrics and outcomes. Support the preparation of nominations for major research awards and fellowships Ensure timely and accurate submission of proposals through institutional systems (e.g., UnivRS), including internal approvals and compliance checks

Relationship Building and Communication

Build strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students to support the school’s research mission Meet regularly with the Director to inform mentorship and support of faculty, and attend meetings with faculty as requested Collaborate with other research facilitators and university offices to share best practices and coordinate initiatives Collaborate with the SRS Communications and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator to promote faculty research achievements through internal and external communications.

Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives

Support the Director in advancing research partnerships and strategic initiatives and assist in developing research plans that align with institutional priorities and enhance competitiveness for Tri-Agency and other major funding programs Participate in planning and organizing research events, visiting lectureships, and knowledge translation activities, including faculty and student/ trainee knowledge sharing events In collaboration with the SRS Director and other key faculty and staff, develop a proposal for SRS specific graduate (MSc and PhD) programs

Education: A Master’s degree in a related discipline is required; a PhD is considered an asset

Experience:

Minimum of two years of experience in a research administrative environment, preferably in a university or health sciences setting. Demonstrated experience in grant writing, project management, and interdisciplinary research support. Familiarity with Canadian and Saskatchewan research funding agencies (e.g., CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC, SHRF) and university research processes

Skills:

Strong scientific writing and communication skills. Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively. Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills. Sound judgment and professionalism in handling confidential information. Proactive, self-motivated, and solutions-oriented approach. Strong analytical skills for data interpretation and decision-making. Proficient in Microsoft Office and quick to learn new digital tools. Proficiency in data management, budgeting, and research software tools. Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization.