Research Officer in Toronto

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs. We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration.

The University of Toronto’s Department of Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies houses four undergraduate programs (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Latin American Studies) and two graduate programs (Spanish, Italian). Our enthusiastic faculty and staff are a key ingredient to our department’s success. In addition to instruction in the three languages, our programs explore the literature and cultures of the Hispanic, Lusophone and Italophone worlds. The study of Hispanic, Italian and Portuguese linguistics offers a special focus on the structure and diversity of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese languages.

Research activity in the Department spans both experimental, visual and textual scholarship and increasingly requires coordinated administrative support for project management, participant recruitment, use of research space and equipment, grant development, and the adoption of emerging AI-based tools for qualitative research. The research officer will join a dedicated, interdisciplinary team of linguistic, literary and cultural studies scholars, to support ongoing research capacity, research impact, and prominence while responding to the rapidly evolving technological landscape in humanities research. The research officer will support existing faculty research, research applications, and research training for graduate students and faculty.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the data collection and analysis processes
• Training others on research methods and data analysis
• Liaising with contacts to facilitate and initiate outreach opportunities
• Implementing community relations outreach plans for targeted audiences
• Coordinating and guiding applicants through various phases of the research funding application process
• Editing content for grant applications
• Researching, analyzing and recommending grant opportunities

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Linguistics or related field or an acceptable combination of equivalent experience
• Minimum of five years of experience conducting textual or behavioral research in linguistics, cultural and literary studies
• Experience assessing research needs and contributing to the development and planning of research goals and objectives
• Experience in research design and managing data collection and analysis approaches
• Demonstrated experience preparing successful research grant applications and authoring reports based on research findings
• Experience supporting the development of project schedules including milestones, critical path, timelines, deliverables and reporting
• Experience organizing seminars, workshops, colloquia
• Experience managing multiple projects and project teams
• Demonstrated experience in grants administration, including the coordination, monitoring, and reporting of funded research projects
• Demonstrated experience developing, maintaining, and strengthening relationships with a diverse range of external stakeholders
• Demonstrated high degree of tact and sensitivity in dealing with multiple stakeholders within and outside the University
• Superior research, writing and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet strict and competing deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to establish, cultivate, and maintain positive working relationships at all levels

Assets (Nonessential):

• PhD preferred

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable
• Multi-tasker
• Organized
• Resourceful
• Responsible
• Self-directed

This part-time (50% FTE) term position for approximately 18 months.

Lived Experience Statement: Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Diversity Statement: The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community.

Accessibility Statement: The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members.