Northern Research Coordinator Full Time NEW

Department: Office of Research Services

Job Type: Limited Term

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)

Campus: Northwest Territories

Reports to: Manager, Research Partnerships and Impact

Employee Group: PAG

Application Deadline: February 23, 2026

Requisition ID: 10597

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier’s Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier’s Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Position Summary

Global Water Futures Observatories (GWFO) monitor and help support the development of solutions for the impending water crisis that is facing Canadians and are an early warning system for the water disasters that increasingly afflict Canada. GWFO is an integrated, networked facility of 76 instrumented basins, lakes, rivers, and wetlands, 27 deployable observation systems, and 31 state-of-the-art water laboratories that provides urgently needed scientific data to deliver flood, drought, and water quality solutions. GWFO operates on an unprecedented national scale, across 7 provinces and territories, 6 major river basins, and the Great Lakes Basin. The program leverages $73.5M in investments from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the 9 partner universities.

The Northern Research Coordinator plays a key role for Laurier as a GWFO partner university and will be part of a highly productive team of university researchers, technicians, and partners working in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The position is central to the coordination of Laurier’s northern research activities, supporting the success of northern research faculty and interdisciplinary research teams. As the primary contact for Laurier’s Yellowknife research office, the incumbent will be responsible for daily operations with the research office acting as a central point for research coordination and networking. A key role of the position will be to collaborate with a diverse and distributed team of researchers, community members, and partner organizations to support effective research activities and operations. The position requires strong communication and project management skills and a commitment to safety and inclusion in research.

This position is based out of Laurier’s Yellowknife Research Office in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (NWT).

Accountabilities
Support northern research activities and operations for Laurier researchers.
Coordinate operations and maintenance of northern research facilities and major equipment, including some support for the operations of research field sites throughout the NWT as needed (non-technical installation, construction, maintenance, and repair).
Communicate and coordinate operations with external vendors (e.g., building management, fleet management, service technicians, equipment suppliers)
Support fleet management and vehicle user approvals
Coordinate and facilitate access to northern research infrastructure and support the implementation and use of user fee and tracking systems
Liaise with NWT-based partners as needed to facilitate Laurier’s northern research, including support for research-related events
Contribute to annual reporting for research funders and other stakeholder groups

Responsible for the administration and daily operations of multiple northern research sites, including the Yellowknife Research Office and Enterprise Drive building.
Act as a liaison between various members of interdisciplinary research teams
Serve as the primary contact at Laurier’s Yellowknife Research Office and Enterprise Drive building
Manage the operations of Laurier’s Yellowknife Research Office and oversee the daily activities of office staff and visiting researchers and guests
Lead the administration and operations at the multiple sites of Laurier’s other northern research buildings and infrastructure located in Yellowknife, including the Enterprise Drive building
Coordinate and execute day-to-day operations of the Research Office and Enterprise Drive building, including acting as the occupational health and safety coordinator
Serve as client relationship manager for internal and external tenants paying for accommodations at the Enterprise Drive building
Accountable for financial processes, including budgeting, forecasting, expense reports, and records maintenance
Collaborate with various units across the institution including research finance, the Office of Research Services, accounts payable, and procurement to ensure compliance with university and funder policies
Maintain an inventory of office and building equipment and materials
Coordinate shipments and deliveries for Laurier research teams and staff
Support for coordinating visits from researchers, staff, and guests

Oversees and maintains an inventory of all NWT-based infrastructure and assets.
Lead, coordinate, and liaise with Campus Operations & Risk Management to support insurance needs and activities for Laurier’s Yellowknife Research Office, Enterprise Drive building, and northern research infrastructure and assets
Ensure accurate and detailed records are maintained
Ensure appropriate insurance and registrations are maintained on all northern research infrastructure

Reporting Relationships
This Position Reports to: Manager, Research Partnerships and Impact

Responsibility for other positions:

This position will provide oversight of users of the Yellowknife Research Office and Enterprise Drive building, support activities through office administration and communication, and support their health and safety when using the office and other research infrastructure.

Qualifications
Post-secondary degree in a GWFO-related field (e.g., geography, earth science, water science, geomatics, biology, or related field)
MSc inGWFO-related field considered an asset
Experience with planning and executing complex, interdisciplinary research programs
Experience with research programs in remote and logistically challenging regions like the NWT considered an asset
Proven ability to work in a team environment with research faculty, highly qualified personnel, students, as well as other scientists, partner organizations and community members
Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to positively interact and work with internal colleagues and external collaborators, members of communities and partner organizations
Detail-oriented, independent, resourceful, innovative, flexible, accessible
A valid driver’s licence is required and willingness to travel and work in northern locations
Previous publications, authorship of policy papers, and other research dissemination an asset

Hours of Work
This is a full-time, limited term opportunity with an anticipated end date of March 31, 2027. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to travel or meetings in remote northern locations. It is expected that this irregular schedule would occur for a few consecutive days or 1-2 weeks at a time, likely 2-4 times per year. In addition, the Northern Research Coordinator may need to meet (via pre-arrangement) incoming or outgoing field teams during weekends or evenings to enable access to equipment, storage, etc. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This role offers limited flexibility regarding flexible work arrangements. Please see Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy) for more information. All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.

Compensation
Level: D

Rate of pay: $38.80 to $41.02 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $44.35 per hour.

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier’s Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.