*This is a term position until December 31, 2028*
Research Associates:
Under the general direction of, and in collaboration with researchers and faculty members, positions at this level apply extensive knowledge in their field to perform high-level, complex research activities, and will normally hold a Master’s degree. Individuals with training beyond a Master’s degree who have limited experience may also be appointed into this classification level.
Position Overview:
This is a part-time position for a Research Associate to support the work of the Manitoba Consortium for Digital Agriculture (MCDA or the “consortium”) as project manager (PM). To advance digital ag, the consortium engages researchers from all major institutions across the province. Its work will span the full agricultural value chain, from seeding to market, conducting applied and interdisciplinary research.
The PM will play a pivotal role in evolving MCDA into a unified, province-wide hub that connects researchers and organizations at all levels of digital agriculture, fostering collaboration, innovation and impact. The PM will be responsible for the day-to-day management of resources, budgeting, and reporting. This position will start at a part-time position at the Research Associate level.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of Drs. Beck and Bidinosti, the PM will be responsible for advancing the MCDA through the following key activities:
- Project management: Track MCDA’s project progress. Support MCDA’s Industry and Funding Partner Liaison (IFPL) with the identification, monitoring, and tracking of relevant funding opportunities. Keep track of intake deadlines. Support project closing steps. Manage partner and team meetings (plan meetings, coordinate attendance, report and follow-up on relevant points). Keep track of MCDA collaborative projects, report progress, and lead teams to meet project goals. Identify and clearly communicate project goals, deliverables, and set corresponding timelines. Identify potential risks or blockers on projects. Evaluate project performance and develop corrective actions.
- Hiring support: Support equitable and fair hiring processes for Highly Qualified Personnel at all levels and the onboarding process.
- Reporting: Create and maintain detailed project documentation and reports. Track MCDA’s accounts, allocate resources to projects, personnel recruitment, equipment, and other expenses. Prepare reports on current projects for funder’s, grant agencies, and stakeholders to ensure financial compliance Prepare MCDA annual reports.
- Event Coordination: Coordinate with the consortium’s IFPL in organising roundtables and forums led by the MCDA, including the MCDA’s annual symposium. A particular focus of these events lies on knowledge mobilization, knowledge transfer, and commercialization of research results. This includes:
- Help create detailed schedules and manage event logistics as required.
- Establish, monitor and adhere to budget allocation to ensure cost-effectiveness.
- Support and supervise event set up, tear-down, and feedback operations.
- Act as the primary point of contact for event attendees.
- Manage event attendance (attendees’ registration and presenters), secure venues, and promote events.
- Track expenses to ensure remaining within budget.
- Support Research and Operational Funding: In coordination with the IFPL, identify new partners, secure relevant funding opportunities, and explore emerging digital technologies within the province.
- Foster uptake of technology: In coordination with the IFPL, promote MCDA events and distribute promotional materials. Actively participate in promoting the consortium, e.g., organizing lab tours for MCDA potential partners promoting research findings and new technology through different stakeholder programs.
To fulfill these goals the PM’s duties are as follows:
- Prepare information and material to present project updates to stakeholders.
- Co-organize and help coordinate seminars, community meetings, and other forms of engagement events.
- Support hiring processes for highly qualified personal at all levels by creating an onboarding manual and corresponding onboarding evaluation survey for academic partners.
- Create and maintain tracking systems, including annual progress reports.
- Conduct project management of collaborative projects.
- Perform other duties, including administrative support, as required or assigned.
Qualifications:
To be considered, the candidate must provide proof for the following qualifications:
- Master’s degree (should specify the field of the degree), or advanced education with appropriate work experience. In case of a specialization very well aligned with digital agriculture a Bachelor’s degree will also be considered.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts (e.g., digital agriculture, precision agriculture, remote sensing, IoT, AI, and machine learning) into compelling, well-structured stories to foster uptake technology.
- Experience in managing funded projects, including developing and monitoring work plans, milestones, and budgets.
- Experience in preparing and submitting reports to funding agencies.
- Ability to track funding opportunities.
- Ability to organise, plan, and execute research events.
- Ability to engage with technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to create strong networks.
The optimal candidate further has:
- Undergraduate or Graduate-level education (Master’s degree preferred) in agriculture and/or a specialization aligned with digital agriculture.
- Knowledge of the agriculture landscape in Manitoba, Canada, or worldwide.
- Excellent time management skills to keep track of and progress several projects simultaneously.
- Experience in managing multi-stakeholder and/or interdisciplinary projects.
- Experience in preparing and conducting professional events (e.g., symposia, workshops, focus groups)
- Experience with creating onboarding material for new hires
- Enthusiasm and excitement for digital agriculture and building Manitoba’s capacity in this space
Condition(s) of Employment:
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
Note: This position is represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada - Research Capacity Unit.
Note: The work described in this posting will be conducted in-person.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits 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].
