Research
Grant-funded positions with FHS-affiliated researchers or FHS partners will be posted as they become available.
Available Research Assistant (RA) roles at SFU Health Sciences can be found on the SFU Human Resources web site.
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Indigenous Research Liaison (IRL) - BC NEIHR British Columbia Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research | Date posted: November 27, 2025
Read the full job description now for more information about the role, including remuneration and working conditions.
ABOUT THE BC NEIHR
Hosted at the Centre for Collaborative Action on Indigenous Health Governance (CCAIHG) within the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, the BC NEIHR is an Indigenous-led network that heightens the engagement of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) Communities, Collectives and Organizations (ICCOs), Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, and interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral groups and organizations in BC. Through our extensive network of experienced and dedicated members and partners, the BC NEIHR supports a provincial and national Indigenous health research agenda. Ultimately, the BC NEIHR will contribute to the improved health, wellbeing and strength of Indigenous peoples by supporting transformative research.
Our collective goal is to increase and enhance Indigenous-led health research in BC and Canada through the following objectives: 1) develop research infrastructure; 2) facilitate and support Indigenous peoples in leading health research and knowledge sharing; 3) provide research-related funding; 4) develop and support research capacity; 5) enhance awareness and relevance of Indigenous health research; 6) facilitate and support ethical and culturally safe research partnerships; and 7) engage in partnerships.
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the Nominated Principal Investigator Dr. Krista Stelkia (SFU; BC NEIHR; CCAIHG), Program Manager, Elizabeth Hunter (BC NEIHR), as well as working with BC NEIHR’s governance partners (First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation BC, and BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres), and collaborators such as the BC SUPPORT Unit, the IRL will undertake the following activities:
Relationship Building
▪ Respectfully engage and develop relationships and research partnerships with ICCOs, Indigenous researchers across the regions in BC. Participant in health-related gatherings (budget permitting) to engage with ICCOs and bring awareness of the BC NEIHR program by promoting the Network membership registration.
▪ Create strategies to address distrust and barriers around health research in colonial research environments.
▪ Keep ongoing and regular communication with funded ICCOs.
Liaison & Facilitation
▪ Collaborate with the BC NEIHR and CCAIHG Teams, including external collaborators and partners (i.e., BC SUPPORT Unit) to plan, coordinate, and evaluate local/regional capacity bridging events, webinars, training sessions, and knowledge sharing gatherings or activities.
▪ Share and distribute information of BC NEIHR funding and capacity bridging opportunities to ICCOs.
▪ Travel to meet with ICCOs in their respective region and participate in Indigenous Health and Wellness conferences or gatherings (travel budget permitting).
▪ Liaison with ICCOs to identify and address regional community research priorities.
▪ Support the facilitation of partnerships for the development of community-based research ethics review processes and other collaborations.
Mentorship
▪ Mentor ICCOs for building capacity as an organization or collective (e.g. opening collectives bank accounts, incorporating associations, and structuring projects for funding access).
▪ Provide capacity-bridging support to ICCOs provincially and in respective regions, including mentoring ICCOs to create and develop innovative and integrative research development and knowledge sharing strategies.
▪ Support ICCOs leaders to take full control of their projects, ensuring self-determination with allies acting only as support (e. g. they decide what, when, and how to proceed).
▪ Provide mentorship and technical support to ICCOs in writing research development grant and knowledge sharing mobilization grant applications.
Navigation
▪ Guide ICCOs in building capacity for health research initiatives.
▪ Develop plain-language workbooks and templates to support the BC NEIHRs research development and knowledge sharing activities.
▪ Translate academic terminology and institutional processes for ICCOs with diverse literacy levels and research experience, ensuring that Indigenous knowledge systems are respected and integrated where possible.
▪ Assist ICCOs by providing an overview and navigating institutional procedures, such as institutional ethics review boards, ethical guidelines, grants approval processes, and other administrative requirements.
▪ Connect ICCOs with relevant funding opportunities from other institutions.
Other Communications and Training
▪ Attend training workshops and receive ongoing instruction from Elders/Knowledge Holders, Investigators and Knowledge Users, and the Program Manager, BC NEIHR, or CCAIHG Team.
▪ Frequent communication with Program Manager via email, Zoom and telephone.
▪ Participate in ongoing communication with BC NEIHR team members via MS Teams, email and Zoom videoconferencing.
▪ Attend and report on activities conducted at the weekly and monthly team meetings via Zoom videoconferencing.
▪ Provide monthly written reports to the Program Manager that detail all activities and an evaluation of such activities.
▪ Organize and lead face-to-face and video-and-teleconferencing with ICCOs.
▪ Collaboratively work with other IRLs on various network activities and communicate frequently.
▪ Participate and obtain the following training and certifications: San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety, OCAP® and TCPS2 Chapter 9.
▪ Perform other BC NEIHR and CCAIHG-related duties as required.
APPLICATION DETAILS
This is a grant-funded position:
- Status: Full-time position (37.5 hours/week) for a one-year contract, with the possibility of extension.
- Annual Salary: $70,000 full-time
- Location: Varying regions in British Columbia (BC) and remote. Candidate must be based in BC, as there will be occasional in-person gatherings and meetings in Vancouver and at Centre for Collaborative Action on Indigenous Health Governance (CCAIHG) office at SFU Burnaby Campus.
How to Apply:
1. Submit Your Application: Send your application package (cover letter and CV/resume) via email to:bcneihr@sfu.ca. Use the subject line to clearly state the position you are applying for (e.g., "NAME OF THE POSITION Application").
2. Experience Statement. As part of the application package, please include a 1-2 page Experience Statement that outlines why you are interested in this position and your experience in providing research support and conducting community engagement with Indigenous peoples and communities. This is an opportunity to highlight in a narrative format key aspects of your work, education, training or other experiences that make you a suitable candidate for this position. Please consider the activities listed under Position Summary when creating your Experience Statement.
- We thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted to go to the next stage.
- Graduate students in BC are encouraged to apply. If you are a current graduate student interested in a full-time position, you must include your time management plans in your cover letter to demonstrate how you will balance your studies with the full-time role.
3. Interview Process: Selected applicants will be invited to have an interview. Those selected will need to demonstrate their experience working with ICCOs through a presentation during the interview. This presentation may include photographs or other forms of proof (such as project reports, testimonials, or portfolio examples) showcasing your relevant experience. Further details and instructions will be provided during the process.
Applications will be reviewed until positions are filled.
SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.
We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please see contact info in How to Apply.
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Strategic Initiatives Lead – Women’s Health Research | Date posted: February 4, 2026
Read the full job description now for more information about the role, including remuneration and working conditions.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Institute of Gender and Health (IGH) of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), located at Simon Fraser University (SFU) Harbour Centre campus in Vancouver, is seeking a full time Strategic Initiatives Lead to join our team. The IGH Strategic Initiatives Lead will play a key role in Institute activities through their leadership of strategic initiatives by planning, designing and implementing project plans to develop multi-faceted strategies, including convening, funding and capacity building activities, as well as the development of policies and innovative approaches to address areas of need for IGH’s research community, in alignment with IGH’s Research Priority Plan for 2024-2029. This position will be focused on IGH’s strategic priority in advancing Women’s Health research.
The Institute of Gender and Health (IGH) is one of 13 institutes that comprise the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Government of Canada’s health research funding agency. IGH’s mission is to foster research excellence regarding the influence of sex and gender on health and to apply these findings to identify and address pressing health challenges facing men, women, girls, boys, and gender-diverse people.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the design, development, and implementation of strategic programs, develop initiative timelines and budgets, funding, and engagement activities, and liaise with other IGH and CIHR staff to ensure timely and efficient delivery of programs, as well as provide content expertise in the mandate area.
- The particular area of focus will be to lead the Women’s Health research strategic priority, including activities under the National Women’s Health Research Initiative (NWHRI). There is also an expectation of leading activities under IGH’s Priority 2: Advancing Sex and Gender Science by Understanding and Addressing Mechanisms and Processes.
- Collaborating with other Institute staff to develop research impact stories and identify, develop, and implement knowledge mobilization opportunities for Women’s Health.
- Lead performance measurement and evaluation to assess impact of IGH’s activities and policies, in particular related to women’s health research. This includes developing performance measurement and evaluation strategies informed by engagement with partners and grantees; developing research designs, collecting data, analyzing data and reporting. This includes contributing to the annual validation of CIHR funding data to determine trends in funding.
- Review and revise ministerial and parliamentary briefing materials, participate in working groups, and draft briefing materials and reports for the IGH team, CIHR Senior Leadership, Science Council, etc.
Strategic initiative leadership
Performance measurement and evaluation
CIHR Governance
- Identify and build collaborative relationships with local, provincial, national, and international organizations, including other funding organizations, government, non-government and community organizations, as well as internal partners at CIHR’s national office and other Institutes.
Relationship management with internal and external partners
- Draft a range of professional materials, including comprehensive environmental scans, literature reviews, manuscripts, business cases, asset maps, reports and funding proposals, content for communications materials, as well as develop and deliver engaging presentations, including presentations of highly technical subject matter in plain language, and briefings to senior-level leadership.
Advanced writing, information synthesis and briefing
- Participate in and support IGH-led meetings and events as requested, including the semi-annual Institute Advisory Board (IAB) meetings.
Support IGH events and internal meetings
Qualifications
- PhD in a health-related field plus two years of relevant experience (or equivalent combination of relevant training and experience. For example, Master’s-level training plus advanced clinical or grant management, evaluation, and/or performance measurement methodology) is required. Experience developing advanced written scientific materials and presentations summarizing health and/or research-related information is required.
- A high attention to detail with an ability to prioritize and manage competing deadlines, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision is required. Due to an evolving workflow, must demonstrate flexibility, strong problem-solving skills, project management skills, and a demonstrated ability to take initiative. Ability to communicate effectively and work as an effective member of a diverse team.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and experience with virtual meeting technology are required. Experience supporting the development of a diverse and inclusive research and working environment, as well as experience working with Indigenous people and communities, community partners, and/or people with lived and living experience of gender and/or health inequity are assets, particularly with the key communities identified in IGH’s Research Priority Plan.
- Knowledge of Canada’s health research and research funding environment is a strong asset. Must possess excellent verbal and written English communication skills. Fluency in French is considered a strong asset.
- Additional professional skills and qualifications required for this position include:
- Strong organizational and administrative skills
- Excellent communication skills (listening, verbal, written) in English. French fluency is a strong asset.
- Ability to prepare documents and presentations with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to identify, analyze and resolve problems effectively and in a timely fashion
- Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing deadlines and priorities
- Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects, setting priorities and delivering expected results on time and within budget
- Excellent time management skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work in a hybrid working team environment
- Excellent knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office applications, online meeting platforms
- (e.g., Zoom, Teams), and other office software (e.g., Adobe, Canva, etc)
- Proficiency, familiarity, or willingness to learn about academic search engines (e.g., PubMed) and
- reference software (e.g., Endnote, Zotero)
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in women’s health research and the women’s health landscape in Canada
- Knowledge of the CIHR and/or Simon Fraser University policies and procedures is an asset
- Demonstrated interpersonal, relationship-building and networking skills
Working conditions
Travel will be required, anticipated to be an approximately 10% time commitment. May require some evening or weekend work. Federal government security clearance, paid for through CIHR, will be required upon hire. This is a hybrid working position, requiring at least 3 days a week in the IGH office, with remaining days working from home. The IGH team will consider other working arrangements for the right candidate.
APPLICATION DETAILS
This is a grant-funded position:
- Position Title: Strategic Initiatives Lead – Women’s Health Research
- Reports to: Dr. Angela Kaida (IGH-ISFH@cihr-irsc.gc.ca), Institute of Gender and Health (IGH), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Faculty: Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University
- Duration: One year renewable
- Start Date: March 23, 2026
- Appointment Type: Full-time (40 hours/week)
- Salary Range: $85,000 to $115,000 annually plus benefits, commensurate with training and experience.
- This position is included under the new TSSU Benefit plan.
- Location: Simon Fraser University, Vancouver campus
- This position allows for a hybrid (remote and in-person) working model. IGH is located at SFU Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and CV via email to:
Angela Kaida, PhD
Scientific Director
CIHR Institute of Gender and Health
Email: IGH-ISFH@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, February 26th, 2026.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
IGH and SFU are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where all feel welcome, safe, accepted and appreciated in learning, teaching, research and work. We are privileged to do this work on the unceded, traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples.
We would like to thank, in advance, all applicants who take the time to apply for this position. All applicants will be notified regarding whether they have been selected for an interview.
SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.
We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please see contact info in How to Apply.
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Research Epidemiologist (Research Assistant), The Pollard Lab – Dr. Samantha Pollard | Date posted: February 9, 2026
Read the full job description now for more information about the role, including remuneration and working conditions.
ABOUT THE POLLARD LAB
The Pollard lab is an interdisciplinary research lab at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), Simon Fraser University (SFU), led by Dr. Samantha Pollard, that generates data, evidence, and data infrastructure to enable the evaluation of oncology technologies. With a focus on mixed methods pediatric precision oncology research, we apply qualitative, quantitative, stated-preference, and health economics methods to generate timely and actionable research outputs across publicly funded health systems.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Pollard Lab Epidemiologist/Health Economist will report with the PI, Dr Pollard, and work with other lab members to support research and data analysis activities related to multiple funded research projects. The epidemiologist will lead epidemiologic, mixed-methods, and health economics in the areas of hereditary cancer and pediatric genetic testing and patient-oriented clinical trial design. This position collaborates with The BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and BC Cancer in a multi-disciplinary research setting.
Responsibilities include
- Conduct health economic evaluations under the supervision of the PI
- Conduct data cleaning, analysis, and report generation using R software or STATA
- Oversee data sharing, ethics, and privacy agreements, as well as consistent and proper use of the datasets
- Lead and study protocols, draft abstracts, and contribute to preparation of manuscripts
- Support knowledge mobilization activities, including the preparation of data for presentations, reports, and infographics.
- Support the preparation of grant applications (e.g., CIHR)
- Attend weekly research staff meetings and meetings with partners, as needed
- Support and review the work of students (e.g., MPH students).
Qualifications & Skills
- Master’s degree in epidemiology, population/public health (with a focus on quantitative methods), health economics or health sciences and a minimum of 2 years of recent related professional experiences.
- Solid understanding of biostatistics (e.g., regression modelling, adjustment for confounding, handling missing data, trend analyses, mediation, moderation) and economic evaluation is required.
- Experience with administrative health data (particularly in BC and Canada) and other large datasets is preferred.
- Excellent written communication skills, including writing and editing documents such as reports for various audiences, are required.
- Experience with evaluation studies is an asset.
- Demonstrated knowledge of grant-writing, manuscript and report preparation is an asset.
- Strong attention to detail is required.
- Ability to prioritize assignments and work effectively under minimal supervision is required.
- Working effectively with others is required.
APPLICATION DETAILS
This is a grant-funded position:
- Position Title: Epidemiologist/Health Economist (Research Assistant)
- Reports to: Dr. Samantha Pollard
- Faculty: Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University
- Duration: One year with the possibility of extension
- Start Date: March 23, 2026
- Appointment Type: Full-time (37.5 hours/week)
- Salary Range: $75,000 annually plus benefits
- Location: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Clinical Support Building
- This position allows for a hybrid (remote and in-person) working model.
How to Apply:
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience to Dr. Samantha Pollard (spollard@sfu.ca), by February 21, 2026
Email: spollard@sfu.ca
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, February 21th, 2026.
SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.
We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please see contact info in How to Apply.
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