Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health·Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Research Assistant will support the operationalization of the Centre for Perioperative and Pain Research through coordination, stakeholder engagement, and grant support. Key duties include literature synthesis, project administration, and assisting with the development of research infrastructure.
Click here to apply as an internal applicant.
IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region.
We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia.
People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities.
We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes.
We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs.
We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.
Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.The Opportunity The Department of Women's & Obstetric Anesthesia at IWK Health has recently received funding to establish the Centre for Perioperative and Pain Research in Women, Obstetric and Gender-Diverse Populations, an innovative interdisciplinary research initiative focused on improving perioperative outcomes and advancing equitable, patient-centred care.Reporting to the Centre Co-Directors and working closely with the Department's Research Associate, the Research Assistant will play a key role in supporting the development and operationalization of the Centre. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a nationally connected research program and to collaborate with clinicians, researchers, trainees, patient partners, and stakeholders across Canada. Responsibilities include research coordination, stakeholder engagement, grant and ethics support, literature synthesis, project administration, and activities related to the development of the Centre's research infrastructure. The successful candidate will report to the Centre Co-Directors (Dr. Allana Munro and Dr. Ana Sjaus) and receive day-to-day supervision and mentorship from the Department's Research Associate. A full Centre application is expected to be completed by the grant deadline, and the Research Assistant will play an active role in developing and submitting this application by the end of the contract.Hours of Work Monday - Thursday, 8am - 4pm30 hours biweeklyYour Qualifications Required
Bachelor's degree in a health-related, social science, or other relevant discipline (Master's degree considered an asset).
Interest in clinical research and a desire to gain hands-on research experience.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
Professionalism, integrity, reliability, and the ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
Adaptability, initiative, and a willingness to learn new skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Assets
Previous experience in research, healthcare, or academic setting.
Experience working with human participant research.
Familiarity with literature searching and reference management software (e.g., EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley).
Experience with data management and research tools such as Excel and REDCap.
Experience assisting with Research Ethics Board (REB) submissions, grant applications, manuscripts, reports, or survey administration.
Familiarity with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
Interest in women's health, obstetrics, perioperative care, pain research, or health equity.Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.
Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.
This is a Management/Non Union bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.
An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.
If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.
A bachelor's degree in a health-related or social science discipline is required, with a master's degree considered an asset. Candidates should possess strong organizational skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and an interest in clinical research.
Market context
Research assistant roles in Nova Scotia are often tied to clinical, academic, and health-system studies, so demand tends to follow active research programs and grant-funded projects. These positions are competitive because employers usually want candidates with a health-related or social science degree, strong organization, Microsoft Office skills, and an interest in clinical research; a master’s degree can strengthen an application. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your resume to show research support, data handling, and coordination experience.