Primary Purpose: To provide research and administrative support to Mitewekan, an undertaking of Pewaseskwan (the Indigenous Wellness Research Group). Mitewekan consists of Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Holders, people with lived/living experience of health conditions and Indigenous and allied health leaders from across Canada. It will guide various existing and new research collaborations across Canada on the contextualization and adaptation needed for culturally safe and responsive healthcare and research.
Nature of Work: The Research Assistant will report to the Principal Investigators, with day-to-day direction from the Executive Director and work closely with the Pewaseskwan team, which includes research assistants, community research assistants, community partners, students, faculty and others. The responsibilities require knowledge and skills around academic and community-engaged research and research administration. The role is best suited for someone who can work independently and collaboratively, has strong organizational and analytical skills, and can effectively balance priorities and deadlines. Our team uses a hybrid work model, balanced between on-campus, remote and community-based work.
Typical Duties & Responsibilities:
- Assist in overseeing the project deliverables and perform various project duties, including scheduling, documentation, resource management and project reporting
- Coordinate, participate in and contribute to Mitewekan and internal team meetings
- Collaborate with the project team, including the project lead, research assistants, post-doctoral fellows and community-based project assistants on project activities
- Act as one of the project representatives and liaise with various stakeholders, including the Mitewekan members, partnering communities and community-based organizations
- Develop and maintain good community engagement and relationship-building
- Assist with project communications, including reporting and identifying and carrying out knowledge translation opportunities and activities with academic and community partners
- Assist in the preparation of reports, manuscripts, posters and presentations
- Assist with researching or investigating additional funding source opportunities
- Assist in developing funding applications and ensure all funding applications are complete and submitted appropriately, seeking information and clarification as required
- Assist in the delivery of a wide range of projects within the mandate of Mitewekan
- Work with the project team in managing timelines to ensure projects are completed on time
- Assist with monitoring the scope of work so proper support to the project team can be provided
Additional Tasks May Include:
- Schedule and coordinate data collection sessions (individual interviews and sharing circles), track participants, and ensure necessary records are kept updated and in good order
- Enact data collection protocols (interviews, sharing circles, questionnaires) in adherence to approved ethics protocols
- Facilitate secure transfer and storage of research recordings and raw data (demographics, questionnaires) per ethics protocols
- Use SPSS, NVivo or other research data management software to input/import and organize quantitative and qualitative data.
Qualifications
Education: Applicants will have completed a post-secondary degree in a social or health science field with significant research-based courses and hands-on project implementation and research experience.
Experience:
Applicants should be able to demonstrate the following:
- A working knowledge of project implementation and research processes and experience conducting research with human participants with strong adherence to ethical standards
- Experience facilitating research data collection (interviews, focus groups, sharing circles, etc.). Experience with or knowledge of arts-, land- and cultural-based research activities (i.e., photovoice, Indigenous body mapping, research through land and cultural activities) is a vital asset
- Familiarity with administrative duties necessary for research with human participants (i.e., scheduling data collection activities, research-related record keeping, admin support for research meetings, etc.).
- Experience with written and oral communications of research processes and outcomes for academic and lay/community audiences (e.g., reports, manuscripts, presentations)
- Competency with available software, including Microsoft Office Suite, is Competency using NVivo for qualitative research data management, analysis and interpretation is an asset
- Experience conducting environmental scans, research summaries and reviews of academic and grey literature, including working with academic databases and web-based searches, is an
Skills:
The successful candidate will be someone who:
- Takes initiative and is self-directed in independent work but can also effectively collaborate and communicate with teammates from diverse backgrounds and education/experiences
- Can take direction and feedback/guidance from others (i.e., supervisors, academics, team members and community partners)
- Demonstrates a high standard of professionalism with the ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters diplomatically and discreetly
- Can carry out duties efficiently and accurately with minimal supervision/oversight
- Can ensure compliance with ethical, community and institutional processes, practices and policies (e.g., TCPS2, HIPA, OCAP)
- Demonstrates strong attention to detail, with strong problem-solving
- Has practical verbal and written communication skills and can communicate clearly with people from different backgrounds and education levels
- Has a proven ability to navigate multiple responsibilities with competing demands and deadlines
- Is flexible and can adapt to changing priorities
In Addition:
- Preference will be given to applicants with knowledge of and experience in Indigenous health research, including ethical considerations and Indigenous principles and approaches to research
- Preference will be given to applicants with experience working with Indigenous communities, including knowledge of community protocols and Indigenous ways of knowing
- Experience with the policies and processes of the University of Saskatchewan is an asset but not a necessity
Department: Medicine (Department)
Status: Term 2 with the possibility of extension
Employment Group: Research Positions - Non-union
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.00
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $29,932.50 - 41,184.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Posted Date: 6/4/2026
Closing Date: 6/17/2026
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines
The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us for assistance.
