Research Project Manager
University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario, Canada · CA$62K–CA$77K/yr
Education Management · 11-50 employees
About the role
The Research Project Manager will coordinate research activities, manage the Behavioural Laboratory, and support faculty in data collection and research administration. They are also responsible for knowledge translation, budget management, and overseeing student staff within the School of Accounting and Finance.
What they look for
Requirements
Candidates must have an undergraduate degree and at least 5 years of experience managing projects in an academic setting. Strong skills in research administration, data management, and financial oversight are required.
Full description
At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.
Learn more about our recruitment process.
Job Requisition ID:
2026-01785
Time Type:
Full time
Employee Group:
Staff
Job Category:
Project and Program Management
Employment Type:
Temporary
Department:
Faculty of Arts - School of Accounting and Finance - Administration
Hiring Range:
$61,954.88 - $77,443.60
Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy.
The internal posting deadline for this position is August 20, 2026 at 11:59PM
This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity. Term 2 years
Job Description:
Primary Purpose
The Research Project Manager will work with the Deputy Director for Scholarship; the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) Centre for Accounting Research and Education (CARE) Leadership Committee; and the Behavioural Lab Director, to support and enhance the research activities of the SAF. Key responsibilities include working with SAF faculty to compile data to support the development of high profile research reports, coordinating and standardizing activities and processes across the research centres within CARE, and managing the SAF Behavioural Laboratory.
Key Accountabilities
Research Administration
• Supports SAF researchers and collaborators to coordinate, plan, and manage research studies involving the SAF Behavioural Laboratory.
• Participates in the development of data collection protocols, tools, and instruments, including problem solving and troubleshooting for projects run in the Behavioural Laboratory.
• Implements research protocols developed by researchers; oversees participant recruitment, data collection and data management, including development and oversight of quality assurance procedures for data collection.
• Creates research ethics applications and obtains UW Research Ethics approval for the Behavioural Laboratory, in consultation with SAF researchers; assists with other research administration tasks.
• Contributes to the improvement of research infrastructure in SAF, including the Behavioural Laboratory and licensed archival databases.
• Assists with grant proposal writing.
Knowledge Translation and Communication
• Coordinates the writing of reports, media releases, and other efforts to disseminate research results to the accounting and finance profession, including professional bodies such as the Canadian Academic Accounting Association, CPA Ontario, CPA Canada, and the Ontario Securities Commission.
• Prepares reports for investigators, staff, external stakeholders, including funders.
• Provides data outputs and creates reports for knowledge translation and exchange activities with external stakeholders.
• Communicates clearly with both internal and external stakeholders in both one-on-one and group settings.
• Coordinates and supports the research conferences hosted by research centres within CARE.
Project Management and Coordination
• Coordinates the research activities and resources of the Behavioural Laboratory and the research centres within CARE.
• Manages competing priorities, limited resources, and overlapping timelines and escalates issues to appropriate stakeholders when warranted.
• Oversees and assigns tasks to co-op students, graduate students and casual staff regarding the activities of the Behavioural Laboratory and the research centres within CARE.
• Manages the budget and initiates financial transactions related to Behavioural Laboratory and CARE activities.
Training, Compliance and Student Mentorship
• Advises researchers, staff and graduate students regarding data management protocols and the use of the Behavioural Laboratory to maintain high research standards and ensure quality and integrity of data collected.
• Trains graduate students on the rules governing the use of the Behavioural Laboratory and data collection processes.
• Monitors students regularly throughout the data collection cycle to ensure proper collection methods are followed.
Required Qualifications
Education
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Additional qualifications in data management or digital knowledge mobilization are an asset.
Experience
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing projects in an academic setting supporting a wide variety of stakeholders is preferred.
• Experience providing functional leadership, project leadership, or coordinating research activities in an academic environment.
• Experience with the design of research processes and data collection and management particularly related to behavioural research studies.
• Experience writing and sharing content through multiple channels to support knowledge dissemination activities across a broad range of academic, industry, policy setting and professional association stakeholders.
• Specific experience with academic event planning and execution.
• Financial administration and budgeting experience an asset.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
• Demonstrated knowledge of research administration processes, research ethics, behavioural research methods, and data management practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with researchers and members of the academic associations and professional bodies, with the ability to convey information to those with limited technical knowledge or context.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues, recommend practical solutions, and support continuous improvement of research processes and operations.
• Financial administration skills, including monitoring budgets, processing financial transactions, and maintaining accurate financial records.
• Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, competing priorities, and deadlines.
• Self-managing and self-motivated to initiate and complete unstructured tasks assigned and develop the necessary skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, students, researchers, and external partners to support successful research initiatives.
• Ability to coordinate complex research projects involving multiple stakeholders while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team; ability to take initiative and be proactive.
Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.
Similar roles
-
Community Grants - Project Manager (12-month fixed term contract)
City of Greater Geelong A$149K/yr
- Community Grants - Project Manager (12 month fixed term contract)
-
Project Manager
GCW, Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
-
Project Manager I, Digitization and Project Mgmt
Kulicke & Soffa Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
-
Project Manager - A26229
Activate Interactive Pte Ltd Singapore, Singapore
-
Senior Project Manager
GCW, Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada, United States