Research Coordinator
About the role
Department: School of Urban and Regional Planning
Position supervisor: Dr. Samantha Biglieri
Contract length: 6 months, with a possibility of renewal up to 4 years
Hours of work per week: 15
Position type: Non-union casual
Rate of pay: $25/hr
About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.
Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
About the project
The Neighbourhood Wellbeing and Dementia project is led by Dr. Samantha Biglieri, RPP, MCIP, Director of the Health, Access and Planning (HAP) Lab in the School of Urban and Regional Planning, in the Faculty of Community Services. The project is funded by the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the Brain Canada Foundation.
Most PLWD live in their communities supported by informal care partners. Access to community is a human right and is linked to improved health and well-being. This interdisciplinary research explores how urban planning can support more inclusive, accessible environments across small, medium, and large Canadian municipalities. The study involves longitudinal, mixed-methods research with PLWD/care partner pairs and older adult controls, using go-along interviews, sketch and social network mapping, GPS tracking, and travel diaries. Findings will inform a series of co-design workshops with municipal partners and people with lived experience to revise and improve local planning policies and processes.
The opportunity
The Health, Access + Planning (HAP) Lab in the School of Urban and Regional Planning is seeking a Research Coordinator to support a 4-year, community-engaged research project focused on inclusive urban planning for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners. We are looking for someone passionate about community-engaged research, accessibility and inclusive planning.
The successful applicant will take a leadership role in the day-to-day coordination and relationship-building aspects of this project, including:
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead recruitment and ongoing support for participants in municipalities in Southern Ontario (Toronto, Waterloo and Grey County) - travel required.
- Coordinate team activities across municipalities.
- Support fieldwork activities, including interviews, mapping and GPS collection.
- Build relationships with municipal planners, urban designers and community organizations.
- Manage ethics protocols, scheduling, data documentation and team communications.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be enrolled in, enrolling in, or recently completed a graduate program in urban planning, geography, gerontology, public health, disability studies or a related field.
Required:
- Strong qualitative research skills, especially with participant engagement.
- Experience working with diverse or marginalized populations.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle for travel within Southern Ontario.
- As the University is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment, we will consider requests for accommodation on a case-by-case basis. If you require accommodation in relation to the Driver’s License requirement, please submit a request through the AskHR webform.
Assets:
- Experience with participatory or co-design methods.
- Familiarity with dementia, aging-in-place, planning or community health.
How to apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume and two references in a single .pdf file to haplab@torontomu.ca by September 24, 2025.
Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
- Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
- We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process,please reach out to Human Resources:
- Current employees can contact HR by logging into AskHR to submit a request.
- External candidates who do not have TMU login credentials can contact HR by visiting torontomu.ca/human-resources/askhr/.
- All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
About Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University is located in the heart of Canada's largest city. Its distinctly urban campus features a culture that's innovative and entrepreneurial, a community that's welcoming and inclusive, and a learning environment that's incredibly creative. Our mission is to serve societal need and engage communities both locally and across the globe.
Research Coordinator
About the role
Department: School of Urban and Regional Planning
Position supervisor: Dr. Samantha Biglieri
Contract length: 6 months, with a possibility of renewal up to 4 years
Hours of work per week: 15
Position type: Non-union casual
Rate of pay: $25/hr
About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.
Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
About the project
The Neighbourhood Wellbeing and Dementia project is led by Dr. Samantha Biglieri, RPP, MCIP, Director of the Health, Access and Planning (HAP) Lab in the School of Urban and Regional Planning, in the Faculty of Community Services. The project is funded by the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the Brain Canada Foundation.
Most PLWD live in their communities supported by informal care partners. Access to community is a human right and is linked to improved health and well-being. This interdisciplinary research explores how urban planning can support more inclusive, accessible environments across small, medium, and large Canadian municipalities. The study involves longitudinal, mixed-methods research with PLWD/care partner pairs and older adult controls, using go-along interviews, sketch and social network mapping, GPS tracking, and travel diaries. Findings will inform a series of co-design workshops with municipal partners and people with lived experience to revise and improve local planning policies and processes.
The opportunity
The Health, Access + Planning (HAP) Lab in the School of Urban and Regional Planning is seeking a Research Coordinator to support a 4-year, community-engaged research project focused on inclusive urban planning for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners. We are looking for someone passionate about community-engaged research, accessibility and inclusive planning.
The successful applicant will take a leadership role in the day-to-day coordination and relationship-building aspects of this project, including:
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead recruitment and ongoing support for participants in municipalities in Southern Ontario (Toronto, Waterloo and Grey County) - travel required.
- Coordinate team activities across municipalities.
- Support fieldwork activities, including interviews, mapping and GPS collection.
- Build relationships with municipal planners, urban designers and community organizations.
- Manage ethics protocols, scheduling, data documentation and team communications.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be enrolled in, enrolling in, or recently completed a graduate program in urban planning, geography, gerontology, public health, disability studies or a related field.
Required:
- Strong qualitative research skills, especially with participant engagement.
- Experience working with diverse or marginalized populations.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle for travel within Southern Ontario.
- As the University is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment, we will consider requests for accommodation on a case-by-case basis. If you require accommodation in relation to the Driver’s License requirement, please submit a request through the AskHR webform.
Assets:
- Experience with participatory or co-design methods.
- Familiarity with dementia, aging-in-place, planning or community health.
How to apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume and two references in a single .pdf file to haplab@torontomu.ca by September 24, 2025.
Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
- Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
- We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process,please reach out to Human Resources:
- Current employees can contact HR by logging into AskHR to submit a request.
- External candidates who do not have TMU login credentials can contact HR by visiting torontomu.ca/human-resources/askhr/.
- All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
About Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University is located in the heart of Canada's largest city. Its distinctly urban campus features a culture that's innovative and entrepreneurial, a community that's welcoming and inclusive, and a learning environment that's incredibly creative. Our mission is to serve societal need and engage communities both locally and across the globe.