Description The Faculty of Social Work invites applications for a Research Project Lead. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 10 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, this role provides leadership, coordination, implementation support, and evaluation oversight for the Youth Mental Health Fund Simulation-Based Workforce Training Initiative. The initiative is funded through the University of Calgary and delivered in partnership with Wood's Homes and related community partners to strengthen workforce capability among frontline practitioners working with youth in campus-based care environments. The position is for one-year with the possibility for extension, contingent upon ongoing funding.

The position supports a multi-year project focused on the design, refinement, implementation, and evaluation of simulation-based training that integrates digital simulation modules, live simulation sessions, facilitated reflection, supervision resources, and implementation supports. The initiative includes training delivery to more than 150 frontline practitioners across pilot sites and is intended to inform a scalable, sector-ready model for future implementation.

The Research Project Lead coordinates diverse project activities involving simulation development, implementation planning, partner engagement, research ethics, data collection, evaluation, knowledge mobilization, and reporting.

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

- Lead implementation planning, project coordination, and milestone tracking for the initiative.
- Coordinate communication and collaboration across the University of Calgary and Wood's Homes, Academy/training teams, simulation contributors, and pilot-site partners.
- Support refinement and deployment of simulation-based learning resources, facilitation guides, reflection tools, supervision supports, and implementation materials.
- Develop and coordinate evaluation activities, including data-collection tools, consent processes, data-management systems, analysis, and reporting.
- Support ethics submissions, amendments, renewals, and related compliance documentation.
- Provide guidance, training, and task coordination to research assistants, students, and project personnel.
- Prepare reports, presentations, knowledge mobilization products, and materials required for partner, leadership, and funder updates.
- Recommend improvements to project processes, research protocols, implementation activities, and evaluation strategies.

Qualifications / Requirements

- Master's degree is required in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Psychology, Education, Public Health, Health Sciences, Human Development, or a related discipline.
- 3-4 years of experience coordinating or leading complex research, programme evaluation, implementation, workforce development,



or community-based projects.
- Demonstrated experience working with academic-community partnerships, human service organizations, child and youth mental health settings, trauma-informed practice, simulation-based learning, workforce training, or related fields.
- Experience developing research and evaluation protocols, ethics submissions, consent processes, data collection procedures, and project documentation.
- Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative data collection, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, participant reflections, and stakeholder feedback processes.
- Experience analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and preparing evaluation summaries, reports, presentations, or knowledge mobilization products.
- Strong project management, organizational, scheduling, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgement, manage competing priorities, identify risks, recommend solutions, and work with limited direct supervision.
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally and respectfully with participants, frontline staff, supervisors, researchers, organisational leaders, and community partners.
- Ability to train, guide, mentor, and coordinate the work of research assistants, students, and project contributors.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams. Experience with Zoom or other virtual meeting platforms is required.

- Experience with Qualtrics, NVivo, SPSS, REDCap, Dedoose, or comparable research and evaluation software is required.
- Knowledge of University of Calgary policies, research ethics requirements, privacy and data security standards, and Protection of Privacy Act (POPA)-related considerations is an asset.
- A valid Class 5 driver¿s license (cannot be a graduated license) with proven good driving record (abstract required).

Application Deadline: September 15, 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 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





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 skilled 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.

📌 Research Project Lead, Faculty of Social Work (Calgary)
🏢 University of Calgary
📍 Calgary