Postdoctoral Fellow in High Reliability Leadership and Digitally Mediated Operations

Department of Business and Administration

The University of Winnipeg | Winnipeg Manitoba Canada

One year full time appointment | Anticipated start January 2027

Dr. Maryam Memar Zadeh and Dr. Andreawan Honora invite applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Fellowship to work on a SSHRC-funded research program examining High-Reliability Leadership (HRL) in digitally mediated operations. The program asks how leaders can help organizations achieve reliable performance when digital technologies are deeply involved in operations, while also maintaining the ability to adapt to changing conditions. It brings together research in operations management, leadership, digital transformation, organizational reliability, and related engineering areas. The program currently includes four connected studies addressing: (1) how digital mediation is changing the conditions under which operational reliability is achieved, (2) development and validation of the HRL construct, (3) the processes through which leadership helps cultivate operational reliability, and (4) how reliable operations can remain adaptive.

Research Program

The program examines how leaders help organizations achieve reliable performance when digital technologies are deeply embedded in operations while preserving the capacity to adapt to changing conditions. It brings together operations management, leadership, digital transformation, organizational reliability, innovation management, and relevant engineering perspectives. The program includes connected studies concerning the changing conditions of operational reliability under digital mediation, development and validation of the High-Reliability Leadership construct, leadership processes that cultivate operational reliability, and the relationship between reliability and adaptability.

Role of the Postdoctoral Fellow

The Fellow will work closely with the Principal Investigator, the Co-applicant, and other research collaborators as an active academic colleague. The Fellow’s principal responsibilities will be to support evidence synthesis, theory development, research design, empirical analysis, and preparation of scholarly outputs. Responsibilities will be assigned in relation to project progress and the Fellow’s expertise and may include:

- conducting systematic, integrative, or interdisciplinary literature reviews;
- contributing to conceptual development and specification of the High-Reliability Leadership construct;
- supporting qualitative and quantitative research design, including interviews, surveys, and measurement development;
- managing and documenting research data in accordance with ethics and funder requirements;
- conducting qualitative coding and/or quantitative analysis;




- interpreting findings and maintaining reproducible research documentation; and
- preparing manuscripts, conference papers, and knowledge-mobilization outputs.

Authorship and other scholarly recognition will reflect the Fellow’s intellectual contributions and disciplinary standards. The Fellow will be encouraged to present and publish research arising from the program.

Qualifications and Eligibility

Applicants must normally have completed all requirements for a PhD in Operations and Supply Chain Management, Leadership and Organizational Behaviour, Innovation or Technology Management, or a closely related field by the start of the appointment. The doctorate must normally have been completed within the five years preceding the appointment. This period may be extended for recognized career interruptions, including maternity, parental, or adoptive leave. Appointment before formal completion of the doctorate may be considered only exceptionally and is subject to University and funding-agency requirements.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

- solid research, analytical, and academic writing skills;
- the ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment;
- an interest in digital technologies, leadership, operational reliability, resilience, organizational learning, operations strategy, or service operations; and
- experience with qualitative and/or quantitative empirical research.

Experience with survey research, scale development and validation, structural equation modelling, interview-based research, qualitative coding, or systematic and integrative reviews is an asset. Applicants are not expected to possess advanced expertise in every method listed.

Appointment Location and Compensation

The appointment is anticipated to begin in January 2027 and will be for one year. It is a full-time appointment based on a 35-hour work week. The successful candidate must be based in Manitoba and perform their regular duties in the province. Approved travel for research, conferences, and other employment-related activities is permitted.

The anticipated annual salary is $45,000, plus applicable benefits, subject to final confirmation by University of Winnipeg Human Resources. The final appointment classification, compensation, benefits, and other employment terms will be specified in the formal offer issued by Human Resources.



The appointment is subject to University approval and completion of the University’s formal appointment and employment processes.

Application

Applicants should submit the following materials:

- a cover letter describing research background, interests, and fit with the program;
- a current curriculum vitae;
- one sample of scholarly work, which may be published, accepted, or in progress; and
- the names and contact information of two academic references. References will be contacted only for shortlisted candidates.

Application deadline: Until the position is filled

Submission method: Please apply through UWinnipeg's Applicant Tracking System: Avanti+ Recruiter: https://plus.avanti.ca/job-board/5da7a070-4efb-4f6e-b846-5d1e55cc2abe/cffcdc77-b1e5-40a0-a51e-8fe7b49b4062/view?LOCALE=en-CA&SEARCH;=Postdoctoral+Fellow+in+High+Reliability+Leadership+and+Digitally+Mediated+Operations

Questions about the research program or the academic scope of the position may be directed to Dr. Maryam Memar Zadeh at [email protected]: mailto:[email protected]

Work Authorization and Institutional Commitments

International candidates are welcome to apply. Any appointment is conditional on the successful candidate obtaining and maintaining the authorization required to work in Canada. Immigration processing may affect the final start date. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty advantages and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].

The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or [email protected].

Competition Number: PDF04.26
Date Posted: September 28, 2026

📌 Postdoctoral Fellow in High Reliability Leadership and Digitally Mediated Operations (Winnipeg)
🏢 The University of Winnipeg
📍 Winnipeg