Research Grants Project Manager
$45 - $45 CAD hourly
Discover
The Opportunity
Employment Type: Part-time, Term
Contract Duration: January 1, 2027 - March 31, 2028
Hours of Work: 15-20 hours per week
Flax Fibre to Fabric: An Innovative Transition Design Framework for Sustainable Agriculture Value-Chains is a multidisciplinary, collaborative project, funded from 15 May 2024 to 14 April 2028, that aims to broaden traditional networks of agricultural research partners, mobilizing the social sciences, natural and applied sciences, and humanities. Under the leadership of Professor Jennifer Green (NSCAD University), the primary goal of the research is to develop an operational fibre flax value chain that mitigates GHG emissions, contributes to a net-zero economy, and supports socio-cultural resilience through regional economic development and marketable value-added products.
Eight independent researchers are engaged in five research streams including craft, agronomy, post-harvest processing and manufacturing, economics, and environmental evaluation and life cycle assessment and takes a unique approach to meeting SARI's three research objectives. It will 1) support fundamental and applied research to develop a technical path to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector in a net-zero economy; 2) develop metrics to better understand and report on environment and climate impacts of different production systems, specifically establishing metrics for sustainable fibre flax production; and 3) improve methods to transfer science and technology knowledge effectively to the agricultural sector with a view to accelerate change by developing methodologies for knowledge gathering, sharing, and implementation.
Position Summary
Just over half-way through the grant period, this position is funded through a four year, $3.2M SSHRC-NSERC Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative grant, administered through NSCAD University's Office of Academic Affairs and Research. Working closely with the Applicant, Co-Applicants, NSCAD Administration and industry partners, the Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for advancing the work of a multidisciplinary research team and will be instrumental in ensuring the successful completion of the project. The PM will liaise with research offices at NSCAD University, Dalhousie University, Acadia University, and the University of Waterloo, and serve as the central point of contact for researchers, facilitating the efforts and activities of faculty members, student research assistants, and industry partners. Responsibilities will encompass coordinating multiple research streams, maintaining clear project plans, and monitoring timelines, milestones, and deliverables. The Project Manager will work with the Applicant and Co-Applicants to coordinate joint meetings, events, and travel among the overarching streams. The PM will manage budgets, analyze expenses, perform reconciliation at monthly intervals, ensure adequate organization of financial documents and carry out financial reporting. They will understand the roles and responsibilities of each team member, support positive group dynamics, and maintain clear lines of communication with all streams of the research team and industry partners.
The Project Manager reports to the grant Applicant. While the Applicant is on leave until June of 2027, the Project Manager will report to the Director of Research, NSCAD University, and the interim Applicants at Acadia University to ensure that each research stream is conducted with academic integrity and independence and that the overall research objectives of the project are achieved.
What you'll do
Responsibilities
- Interpret and comply with all conditions of the funding agency and participating institutions and ensure project deliverables and outputs are met on time and on budget in an organized manner that can be planned for, managed, and tracked
- Understand each team member's roles and responsibilities, monitor and update the project work plan as needed, and regularly assess progress to ensure that project components are completed within established deadlines.
- Manage the project budget and spending over the grant period. They will oversee and update the budget, confirm incoming and outgoing financial transactions, and reconcile expenses posted to financial management software. Working closely with each Co-Applicant, they will be responsible for ensuring adequate recordkeeping and organization of financial documents at each of the four participating institutions.
- Coordinate project logistics, including planning and scheduling regular online and in-person meetings and supporting project activities including research events, field days, research trips, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
- Track and maintain a record of the research team's knowledge mobilization and knowledge exchange activities, including publications, presentations, stakeholder engagement, and other knowledge exchange activities. Manage the project website and newsletter and coordinate social media activities. Oversee and meet grant reporting requirements including annual financial reporting and final reports in compliance with the grant awarding agency.
- Support the development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of the project's data management plan.
- The Project Manager shall treat all information, data, documents, and materials provided by the research team to which access has been given during this contract's fulfillment as confidential.
What you'll need
Qualifications
A minimum of three years' experience in project management and a master's degree in business, science, humanities, or a related field is required, with demonstrated experience managing multi-disciplinary university research of a similar scope and funding level (Tri-Council).
This position is one of high responsibility and includes extensive communication and coordination with researchers, students, industry partners, and the funding agency. The successful candidate will have formal training in project management, demonstrated skill administering a budget and proficiency with project management tools. Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Suite is essential. The PM must possess strong interpersonal aptitude, well-developed organizational and time management skills, and a demonstrated capacity to work with a diverse, multi-disciplinary team.
The position requires the ability to work collaboratively, solve problems and think quickly and efficiently. The successful candidate must demonstrate competence to work independently and show an understanding of their responsibility for the project's success. Demonstrated experience or interest working on sustainability and circular economy projects is an asset.
A little bit about us
NSCAD University
NSCAD University and Halifax are in Mi'kma'ki, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq Nation. NSCAD University is committed to reconciliation and to building respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and with the African Nova Scotian communities that have been enriching this region for 400 years. As a small school with three urban campuses, and programs across a range of fine arts, craft, design, and media arts, NSCAD University is an incubator for talent and an active contributor to the arts scene in Canada's fastest-growing city. Since 1887, NSCAD has been a leader in visual arts education in Canada, with distinguished alumni building careers all over the world.
Are you interested?
Work With Us
Applications should be sent via the CareerBeacon website. Applications should include a cover letter and detailed CV.
Deadline for applications: The University will begin considering applicants on November 18, 2026. We appreciate all applicants, however, only those selected to move forward in the competittion will be contacted.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority in this search. NSCAD university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, persons with a disability, women, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.