Communications and Research Impact Specialist

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

This position has an initial appointment of 1 year.

Location - This role is hybrid. In-person work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

The Communications and Research Impact Specialist is responsible for coordinating and supporting communications and knowledge mobilization that enhance the reach, visibility, and impact of research programs, projects and activities for HiMARC and the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C). Operating within a collaborative academic and research environment, the role supports the implementation of clinical, qualitative, and strategic research initiatives through project coordination, stakeholder engagement, communications support, and research dissemination activities. 

The position contributes to HiMARC’s success by fostering partnerships, supporting research impact and funding initiatives, facilitating knowledge exchange, and advancing innovative approaches to research mobilization, community engagement, and inclusive research assessment. This position reports to and works closely with the MVF3C Strategic and Engagement Manager to produce communication plans for HiMARC’s research activities and the CMVF3C.

Communications Duties 40%

• Develop and support communications and knowledge mobilization strategies that enhance research visibility, accessibility, and impact.
• Coordinate the implementation and dissemination of communication plans and research dissemination activities for diverse audiences.
• Translate complex research findings and technical information into clear, concise, and accessible language for academic and non-academic audiences.
• Create and disseminate communications materials including newsletters, reports, presentations, website content, promotional materials, and stakeholder updates.
• Produce and edit knowledge products, including learning events, recordings, and videos, ensuring seamless technical execution, accessibility, and quality.
• Develop reports, policy briefs, and research impact assessments to support the centre’s strategic initiatives, programs, and evidence-informed decision-making.
• Facilitate engagement and information-sharing activities with researchers, partners, community organizations, and funding agencies.
• Support strategic stakeholder engagement and relationship-building initiatives to strengthen research partnerships and collaborations.
• Contribute to promoting research achievements, funding successes, and institutional initiatives through internal and external communication channels.
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality of communications materials through editing, proofreading, and adherence to organizational standards.
• Promote inclusive, accessible, and audience-focused communication approaches that support knowledge exchange and research uptake.
• Coordinate the centre’s email communications and stakeholder contact databases to support HiMARC research initiatives and CMVF3C outreach and engagement activities.
• Coordinate the collection and tracking of centre analytics to support key performance indicators and impact reporting
• Maintain and manage HiMARC digital knowledge mobilization assets, including recordings, transcripts, promotional materials, and the YouTube channel.

Research Coordination 40%

• Coordinate multiple concurrent research and knowledge mobilization projects, ensuring effective management of timelines, deliverables, resources, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Liaise and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, community partners, funding agencies, government bodies, health authorities, and external stakeholders at local, national, and international levels.
• Support the coordination of advisory committees, working groups, and external stakeholder meetings
• Facilitate communication and coordination among interdisciplinary teams and external collaborators to support project, research, and policy objectives.
• Support the coordination of participant recruitment, screening, onboarding, scheduling, and engagement activities for research projects and related initiatives.
• Support the coordination of qualitative and quantitative research activities, including data collection, project implementation, and mixed-methods evaluation approaches.
• Support the design and development of research and project tools such as surveys, interview guides, screening tools, data collection templates, and coordination resources.
• Assist with data analysis, coding, synthesis, interpretation, and reporting of research activities, policy outcomes, and stakeholder feedback.
• Collect, interpret, and summarize evidence from scientific literature, reports, stakeholder consultations, and environmental scans to support research, policy development, and knowledge mobilization initiatives.
• Prepare research and knowledge mobilization outputs including manuscripts, abstracts, posters, presentations, reports, publications, policy briefs, briefing notes, and recommendations for government agencies and health authorities.
• Translate complex scientific, technical, and medical information into concise, accessible language suitable for policymakers, stakeholders, and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to developing and evaluating frameworks, strategies, and initiatives related to research impact, inclusive research assessment, and knowledge mobilization.
• Identify research funding opportunities and contribute to preparation of grant applications, research proposals, ethics submissions, and reporting requirements.
  Monitor emerging trends, funding landscapes, public health policies, and best practices related to research impact, policy development, and knowledge mobilization.
• Prepare presentations on findings, recommendations, and project updates for senior leadership, committees, external partners, and stakeholder groups, delivering them as agreed by the leadership team.
• Ensure research and policy activities align with organizational priorities, ethical standards, government regulations, and public health requirements while maintaining accurate documentation and records.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by developing processes and resources that strengthen project coordination, collaboration, reporting, and dissemination activities.
• Compile and report HiMARC-related lobbying activities to faculty leadership as required.

Administrative Duties 20%

• Coordinate and support day-to-day administrative operations for research, communications, and knowledge mobilization projects.
• Organize and support events, workshops, presentations, outreach, and capacity building activities that promote research dissemination and community engagement.
• Prepare, edit, proofread, and format reports, presentations, briefing materials, grant applications, manuscripts, newsletters, and other communications materials.
• Maintain organized project records, inventories, databases, and administrative documentation.
• Maintain coordination of progress tracking tools of engagement, and activities

• 3+ years of experience working in knowledge mobilization
• 3+ years of experience developing, implementing and evaluating knowledge mobilization plans and products
• Undergraduate degree in a related field, preference will be given to Master’s degrees
• Certification in knowledge mobilization is considered an asset
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, synthesize, and accessibly communicate complex information and data to support evidence-informed decision-making and strategic planning
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, organize competing priorities and manage time
• Proficiency in reading and writing French is considered an asset
• Experience using Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, OneNote, etc.)
• Experience working with Canva and WordPress
• Experience with content management systems and Google Analytics would be an asset
• Ability to travel occasionally within Canada and flexibility to schedule evening and weekend work. Expectation to work outside regular business hours approximately 4–6 times per year, based on operational requirements.

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package with an annual salary range of $65,369 to $89,895.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule E of the Collective Agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.