June 11, 2026

COMMUNITY RESEARCHER (BAND LEVEL 5)

Marine Biomass Innovation Research Project

Office of Research and Graduate Studies

Grenfell Campus

(Contractual Position to July 2, 2027)

This position is based in Bay St. George

The University will consider applications from qualified permanent staff who may be interested in a secondment, subject to departmental approval

This position is funded through an external grant

BACKGROUND 

Community Researchers are integral members of the Marine Biomass Innovation research team who add invaluable capacity to partner organizations and provide on-the-ground research expertise and support in the MBI study regions. The Community Researcher, like the Indigenous Community Liaison, therefore, must demonstrate a meaningful connection to a Mi'kmaw community within the region in which they will work. The incumbent will act on behalf of their community's interests and priorities in support of Work Package Team 1 (WPT1) of the Marine Biomass Innovation research project (full title: Repurposing marine by-products or raw materials for the development and production of functional foods and biomaterials to improve human health and coastal community sustainability). 

DUTIES 

The Community Researcher will work with the Work Package (WP) research teams, including Mi'kmaq community collaborators (Chiefs) and the Indigenous Community Liaison in their region, to advance the shared research objectives outlined in the community agreements. This position will also primarily report their activities to the Regional Community Advisory Committee, MBI Leadership Team, and community partners. The incumbent will be tasked with assisting with primary and secondary research via archival research, oral histories and narrative sharing, and interviews, among other activities. The Community Researcher will also support the ongoing development and preservation of historical community records, strengths and assets, oral histories, traditional land-based uses and occupancy, and other future priorities for communities in line with the objectives of the work packages. In addition, collaborators will be required to provide assistance with collecting and preserving samples and learning about traditional uses of the samples being gathered in line with the objectives of the MBI Work-Package teams. The successful applicant will also work with partners in their respective region to build capacity for additional project-related research, engagement, entrepreneurship, and business development activities. This may include, but is not limited to, assisting with the assessment of community opportunities and developing funding proposals for cultural, well-being, business development, or entrepreneurship activities for the overall benefit of the communities. 

The Community Researcher will be performing duties that can be taught by community collaborators, university-based researchers, and other members of the MBI research team. The duties of the position will most likely not have a steep learning curve and can be learned through collaborative instruction by the university- and community-based members of the research team (e.g., conducting interviews, archival research, collecting samples, etc.). The successful applicant must be available to work a flexible schedule that may include days, evenings, and weekends.

QUALIFICATIONS 

There is no minimum education or experience required for this position. The intention is to hire community members with relevant lived experience. Prior experience and education in administrative work, funding proposal development, business development, or organizational support is an asset, as is experience in community-based research, field-based research, or marine/coastal sampling. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a meaningful connection to Mi'kmaw communities in their study region and will bring skills and knowledge to the position that they have learned over the course of their lives. We recognize that this culturally specific and community-based knowledge and skills can only be acquired through lived experience. 

SALARY                 $53,729 - $63,029 per annum (Non- Bargaining)

CLOSING DATE     June 26, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. NST

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women; 2SLGBTQIA+ people; persons whose gender identity or gender expression is nonbinary or otherwise not cisgender; Indigenous peoples; racialized people; black persons; and persons with disabilities. Memorial is committed to providing an inclusive learning and work environment. 

If there is anything we can do to ensure your full participation during the application process, please contact equity@mun.ca directly and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

The personal information requested in your application is collected under the authority of the Memorial University Act (RSNL 1990 c M-7) for the purpose of identifying and recruiting candidates; assessing applicant qualifications; and maintaining records pertaining to the administration of employment with Memorial University of Newfoundland.

If you are a successful candidate, this information will form part of your permanent employment record and will be used for other activities related to the employment process. This information may be disclosed to government departments and agencies as legally required; and to third party service providers, as necessary to administer programs and activities.

If you have any questions about the collection, use and disclosure of the information on this form, please contact MyHR, Department of Human Resources, at myhr@mun.ca.

Inquiries about this opportunity should be directed to Grenfell Campus - Memorial University, University Avenue, Corner Brook, Room AS374, phone (709) 637-4097, or e-mail gchr@mun.ca.

Please be advised that we are unable to provide updates on current competitions.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.