Research Impact Specialist

Job Title Research Impact Specialist Job Type Conditionally Funded Term Union MRSA Position Classification SAD10 Administrative Services X Salary Grade $77,404.60 - $97,970.60 FT or PT Full-time Hybrid Work This position is eligible Position End Date (if applicable) 8/31/2028 Location MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary) About This Position About the Role At Mount Royal University, Research Impact is the change created when we work to generate solutions and mobilize knowledge. By addressing social, economic, cultural, and environmental challenges, this scholarship strengthens communities locally, nationally, and globally while advancing MRU’s commitment to integrity and excellence. The Research Impact Specialist will report directly to the Associate Vice President of Research, Scholarship and Community Engagement. Their role is to support research at Mount Royal University by identifying, enabling, and reporting on research impact. This includes a focus on community-engaged research and scholarship. While working independently to define and execute on projects they will engage collaboratively with the Office of Research, Scholarship and Community Engagement and various divisions within the University. A key aspect of this role is strategic and tactical approaches to embedding community and inclusion in research and scholarship for impact. Research impact takes many forms including but not limited to: community engagement, undergraduate research, teaching, knowledge mobilization, commercialization and equity and inclusion in research. The successful candidate will consider ways to realize Research and Scholarship Plan objectives in the areas of: advancing knowledge, informing teaching and promoting community engagement. In addition, this role is responsible for the sustained support and oversight for implementation of "An Action Plan for Mount Royal University's Canada Research Chairs Program". In this work, the Specialist will engage with researchers, administrators and service divisions throughout the University as well as external parties including organizations where MRU is an active member. The Research Impact Specialist will build the systems, partnerships, and evidence frameworks that demonstrate how scholarly activity contributes to societal, economic, cultural, and community outcomes. This includes developing institution‑wide processes for capturing impact pathways, supporting researchers in articulating and enhancing the reach of their work, and producing high‑quality analyses and reports that inform strategic planning, external relations, and funding opportunities. Specifically, this will entail hands‑on support for researchers, including guidance on impact planning, knowledge mobilization strategies, community engagement approaches, and the development of impact narratives for grants and awards. Candidate awareness of and experience with narrative CVs, AI in research, story telling and knowledge mobilization through analogy and accessible communication will enhance faculty approaches to impact. Community engagement activities include cultivating meaningful partnerships with community organizations, industry, government, and Indigenous partners, ensuring research activities are co‑created, relevant, and responsive. The role also collects, analyzes, and synthesizes evidence of impact, producing clear, credible reports for internal leadership, external partners, and funding agencies. The Research Impact Specialist will work to integrate community and inclusion throughout the full research impact lifecycle—from planning and partnership development to evidence gathering and reporting. This includes identifying and addressing barriers to participation and ensuring impact reporting demonstrates how research contributes to community wellbeing. Building on the development of an Action Plan for Canada Research Chairs at Mount Royal University, the successful applicant will lead the implementation and periodic review of that plan. Through this work the Research Impact Specialist also becomes an important advocate and support to existing CRCs ensuring their research programs can be impactful within the context of an undergraduate, teaching focused university. In addition, this resource supports the recruitment and onboarding of future CRCs. The Successful Candidate Will Meet The Following Criteria Master’s Degree or Equivalent Post Graduate Studies in a relevant field Experience in supporting research at a post secondary institution Leadership capabilities to plan, schedule, coordinate, resource and implement projects Excellent critical thinking, writing, analytical and math skills required Strong interpersonal and communication skills Highly collaborative Facilitation/training expertise Understanding of University culture, procedures and policy Ability to prioritize work, make effective decisions, multi-task and manage time effectively Team player who can also work independently Strong experience in the support, encouragement and reporting on research impact Capabilities in knowledge mobilization through story-telling and analogy. Exposure to AI in research and its implications and opportunities Appreciation for and adept at considering diverse ways of knowing in research impact High level of emotional and social intelligence Salary Range: $42.53 - $53.83 per hour Closing Date: September 3, 2026 We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently legally authorized to work in Canada will be given priority. Please note only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify [email protected] and we will work together on your accommodation request. About MRU Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. MRU serves approximately 15,782 students, including 11,752 full-time and 4,030 part-time learners. MRU offers 13 bachelor's degrees encompassing 37 majors across faculties such as Arts, Business, Communications, Health, Community & Education, and Science & Technology. With over 74% of its student body drawn from the local area, Mount Royal University primarily serves Calgary and its surrounding region. MRU is a diverse yet close community with over 1,800 employees. Mount Royal provides employees the support they need to lead and advance institutional goals. Learn more about MRU's Academic Plan and Strategic Plan. What We Offer Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. At MRU, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace. Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. MRU offers a competitive total compensation package including learning/training paid by employer, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. Positions over six months may also be eligible for health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, and disability benefits. Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.

The specialist will identify, enable, and report on research impact with a focus on community-engaged scholarship and knowledge mobilization. They are also responsible for implementing the Action Plan for the Canada Research Chairs Program and building evidence frameworks to demonstrate societal outcomes.

Candidates must hold a Master's degree or equivalent postgraduate studies and have experience supporting research at a post-secondary institution. Required skills include strong leadership, analytical capabilities, and expertise in knowledge mobilization and community partnership development.

• Employer paid learning/training • Paid vacation • Winter holiday closure • Personal days • Free recreation centre membership • Health benefits • Dental benefits • Pension • Health and personal spending accounts • Disability benefits

• TrainingPreferred
• CollaborationPreferred
• Critical ThinkingPreferred
• Project managementPreferred
• FacilitationPreferred
• interpersonal communicationPreferred
• Stakeholder ManagementPreferred

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Research Impact Analysis
• Knowledge Mobilization
• Community Engagement
• Project Management
• Critical Thinking
• Analytical Skills
• Facilitation
• Training
• Strategic Planning
• Storytelling
• AI in Research
• Interpersonal Communication
• Collaboration
• Impact Reporting
• Narrative CVs
• Stakeholder Management

• Science & Research
• Education
• Management & Leadership
• Administrative
• Data & Analytics

Minimum education

Master’s degree

Minimum experience

5+ years

Apply by

Sep 26, 2026

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week

Seniority

Mid-Senior level