Research Services Assistant

Department:	Health Behaviour Research Group, Department of Health Studies and Gerontology	Effective Date:	March, 2002
Grade:	USG 5	Reports to:

General Accountability

In this position the incumbent works under the direction of the HBR Research Services Manager to facilitate the administrative management of the research group as a whole.

Nature and Scope

The Organization

HBR (formerly Waterloo Smoking Projects) has been in operation since 1978 and has built a national and international reputation in smoking prevention, smoking cessation, heart health, and cancer prevention research. Many products, including programs for prevention, cessation, and monitoring have been developed and disseminated to a broad group of partners.

HBR has received funding from diverse sources including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the National Institutes of Health (U.S.), Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the National Cancer Institute of Canada, and the National Health Research and Development Program. Faculty and Staff have worked in partnership with, among others, public health units, school boards, officials from federal, provincial and local governments, non-government health organizations, and health professionals. HBR is an active partner in the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit. We have strong affiliations with research groups at several universities including the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, McMaster University, and the University of Guelph. HBR is also affiliated with the Centre for Applied Health Research, the Centre for Behavioural Research and Program Evaluation, the Program Training and Consultation Centre.

HBR is directed by Dr. Steve Brown of the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science and Dr. Paul McDonald of the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology. Academic and research leadership is provided by nine faculty Investigators (including the Directors); approximately 20 full time and part time research staff conduct the work of the group under their direction. In addition the group employs undergraduate students as casual staff, and provides in-kind support to graduate student research.

Major Challenges of the Position

The incumbent will be required to function well as an integral part of the HBR team. The position requires an ability to work well under pressure, drawing upon a sound basis of administrative skills and experience. The position also requires sound written and verbal communication, decision-making, organization, attention to detail, and time management.

The position requires the ability to communicate clearly and succinctly with HBR staff, staff of other departments within the university, and with Investigators drawn from both UW and other institutions.

The incumbent will contribute to the HBR research agenda by assisting with the formatting of manuscripts and preparation of grant proposals.

Statistical Data

HBR is in the midst of significant growth. Funding in 2001-2002 is anticipated to exceed one million dollars, with a concomitant increase in personnel. Equally important is that the profile of our work has been increasing. We expect to expand our work with several other major international research groups.

Specific Accountabilities

General office administrative tasks (e.g. word processing, photocopying, travel arrangements) as assigned by the Research Services Manager.
Personnel administration, including maintenance of personnel files, processing casual payroll, assist with the administrative aspects of hiring (e.g. letters of employment, contracts) under the direction of the Research Services Manager, or other members of the HBR management group.
HBR physical environment management, including maintenance of HBR research files and file cabinets, project space and furnishing allotments, maintenance of library and common areas.
Organization and preparation of funding submissions.
Administrative support to Investigator meetings including bookings and minutes.
Maintenance of HBR reference resources (e.g. scholarly publications, Rolodex directory, Synchronize calendar of SRC telephone survey bookings).
HBR web page maintenance.
Software support including simple software installations, hardware records, site license records and renewals, HBR liaison with IT and AHS technical support staff.
Other responsibilities as determined by the Research Services Manager, or other members of the HBR management group.