Description

The School of Public Policy is currently seeking a Full-time Staff Limited Term (Project) Research Associate, Current North America Initiative for approximately 1 year.

The School of Public Policy (SPP) provides a practical, global and focused perspective on public policy analysis and practice. SPP achieves its mandate through integrated activities across its academic programming, research portfolio and extensive outreach. This is a junior research associate position that reports to the Director of International Policy and provides research support to the New North America Initiative (NNAI) and administrative support to the Director of International Policy and to the NNAI team.

This position is primarily oriented toward undertaking and supporting the research activities by the NNAI team, providing administrative support to the NNAI research team, coordinating research activities, ensuring project goals are completed on time, assisting the research team with reporting and day-to-day administrative activities and tasks required to undertake research and performing specific research tasks assigned by NNAI team members.

Summary of Key Responsibilities
The Research Associate will split the time amongst research tasks and administrative support to the NNAI team (75%) and outreach (25%). These splits should be considered a guideline for time management and may be adjusted by the Director of International Policy as program needs change.

RESEARCH AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT to NNAI (75%)

Under the direction of the Director of International Policy, the position is responsible for organizing research workflows and carrying out organizational tasks associated with research and research workflows, including contract management, travel and logistics, event development and organization, ensuring that work product is produced on time and bureaucratic requirements are met.

Assists the NNAI team in the research, preparation and fact-checking of briefing documents, background reports, research papers, applied research, presentations and other research products.

Carries out specific research tasks as assigned by members of the NNAI team.

Responsible for assisting the Director of International Policy and team members with relationship management with research partners and stakeholders and organization of reports and meetings of the advisory council for the project.

Integrates the use of AI tools in carrying out these tasks.

Working with the Director and team, is the person who ensures that everything that must be done is done and is on time.

OUTREACH (25%)

Good organizational and interpersonal communications skills for obtaining information to support the team in sharing research findings with stakeholders as needed.

Remains up to date on developments in North American trade and political developments, participates in NNAI brainstorming meetings.

Assists Director and team in relationship maintenance with partners,



researchers and advisory council.

Qualifications / Requirements:

Minimum of two years of professional work experience in university research and administration; similar experience in the public or private sector or in an elected official's office is a plus.

Strong organizational skills to manage multi-part, complex projects simultaneously and demonstrated attention to detail to ensure the project's complex workflows stay on track are most important requirements.

Experience with research initiatives in a university setting and some experience engaging with university bureaucracy would be major assets.

Professional, full-time work experience in the private sector, government or a political office is a robust plus.

Strong demonstrated competence in the use of AI tools for administrative and research functions is a highly prized asset.

Basic knowledge of and familiarity with current issues in North American trade, economic and political relations at the level of someone who regularly follows the issues in the media is a minimum requirement.

Similar knowledge of broader global trade issues, especially in Asia, including China, is a plus. Deeper knowledge or experience with these issues is highly prized.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a proven ability to communicate professionally and tactfully with senior members of academia, government and the private sector are required.

Willingness and ability to be a 'jack of all trades' and team player who pitches in and takes on new and different assignments proactively and with enthusiasm is a critical requirement.

Proactive personality and ability to anticipate work requirements as familiarity with the work grows.

Strong writing skills are required; experience editing or copyediting is a plus.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required. Advanced ability or familiarity with Adobe Acrobat Pro would be a plus.

Quantitative research skills would be an asset.

Fluency in Spanish would be an asset.

Application Deadline: August 30, 2026.

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 Operational/Administrative 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 ii' taa'poh'to'p 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.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

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 sexual 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 Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([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.

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📌 Research Associate, New North America Initiative, School of Public Policy (Alberta)
🏢 University of Calgary
📍 Alberta