Postdoctoral Associate – Healthcare (Prehabilitation)

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Cape Breton University (CBU) is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Associate to join a transformative, multi-year research initiative titled Homeward Bound : Enhancing Healthcare, Housing, and Social Support for Aging Rural Nova Scotians. Funded by and led by Dr. Alison Grittner, this 7-year initiative aims to support aging in the right place (AIRP) by improving the integration of healthcare, housing, and social services in rural communities across Nova Scotia’s Eastern Health Zone.

This ambitious project brings together a multidisciplinary team spanning social work, architecture, nursing, medicine, pharmacy, communication, and policy, in partnership with communities, government, and academic institutions. Find out more here :

This postdoctoral position will focus on the health support (pre-hab) pillar of Homeward Bound , collaborating with the housing and social work project areas.

This postdoctoral role focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating healthcare-related interventions that support older adults aging in place across Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) in rural Nova Scotia. The methodological approach spans need assessment, co-design, training, implementation, and longitudinal monitoring. Prehabilitation aims to optimize ARNS physical, nutritional, emotional, and medical conditions prior to surgery to reduce postoperative morbidities. This comprehensive program includes personalized interventions such as movement, nutrition optimization, and psychological support to communities that may not have occupational therapists, fitness facilities, social workers, or dieticians located within immediate community contexts.

Research activities include : development of prehab exercise / nutrition modules, pilot virtual delivery, track pre / post frailty index shifts, adapting prehabilitation content for cultural relevance, analyzing dropout reasons and success factors, analyze mobility outcomes post-surgery and develop community-led activity toolkits.

This is a full-time hybrid role based in Sydney, NS, reporting to the Project Manager and working closely with a multi-disciplinary team. This position is for three years with renewal possibilities, dependent upon funding and project need. The applicant must be able to travel across Eastern Nova Scotia, as needed for community-engaged research activities. The salary range for this position will be from $70,000 to $80,000 annually.

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead and contribute to interdisciplinary research on facilitating clinical and healthcare supports for aging in the right place for rural Nova Scotians.
• Works directly with municipal and other partners to conceptualize, design, and manage large-scale research projects.
• Collaboratively design, collect / create, analyze, and mobilize research activities.
• Collaborate across sectors (healthcare, university, community, government, industry, lived experience, etc.) to advance research and mobilize knowledge.
• Publish peer-reviewed publications and present findings at national and international conferences.
• Uphold critical feminist values and anti-oppressive practice across all project areas.

Required Qualifications :

Desirable Skills and Experience

Applications for the successful candidate will include a :

Please upload all required documents to Additional Documents if no designated area is listed. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Click to view more information and to apply.

Applications must be received by February 6th, 2026 .