Research Associate, Post-doctoral Fellow in Social Dimensions of Aging

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Cape Breton University (CBU) is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Social Dimensions of Aging 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:

About the Role

This postdoctoral position will focus on the social support pillar of Homeward Bound, but you know as a social determinant of health researcher that your work will entwine with the healthcare and housing project areas. The social support pillar work focuses on enhancing the well-being of aging rural Nova Scotians (ARNS) in the following areas:

• Community engagement
• Social connection
• Wellness
• Access to support services
• Place attachment and identity
• Disrupting Ageism and Institutionalization of Care

The successful candidate a key member of the research project team as we implement community-based participatory research guided by critical feminist theory. They will be involved in all aspects of the community-engaged research activities, engagement, lead data collection and analysis efforts, and contribute to knowledge mobilization. Research activities will include asset-mapping workshops, arts-based interviews (e.g., digital storytelling and photovoice), and co-design workshops.

This is a limited term full-time hybrid role based in Sydney, NS, reporting to Dr Alison Grittner and working closely with a multi-disciplinary team. The appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal depending on funding and project needs. The successful candidate must be able to travel throughout Eastern Nova Scotia as required for community-engaged research activities (yes, we have a mobile research van!).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to interdisciplinary research on facilitating social supports for aging in the right place for rural Nova Scotians;
• Collaboratively design, collect/create, analyze, and mobilize research activities, including asset-mapping workshops, arts-based interviews (e.g., digital storytelling and photovoice), and co-design workshops;
• Collaborate across sectors (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:

• PHD in social work, sociology, gerontology, or related, with strong critical orientation (completed by start date);
• PhD must have been awarded within five years of start date;
• Demonstrated expertise in community-engaged research alongside equity-denied populations, including Indigenous communities, women and gender diverse individuals, and persons with disabilities;
• Commitment to critical feminist research and anti-oppressive practices;
• Strong manuscript writing skills;
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications;
• Outstanding writing skills in English;
• Experience conducting qualitative research with vulnerable communities;
• Strong motivation to submit papers for publication in peer reviewed journals;
• In-depth knowledge of community based participatory research and actualizing anti-oppressive/critical theory in the field;
• High level of initiative and problem-solving;
• Demonstrated leadership, rapport-building, and advocacy skills;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in diverse, interdisciplinary teams;
• Eagerness to travel throughout Nova Scotia and engage with communities.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Community-engaged praxis with older adults, aging in the right place, and/or rural equity;
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills;
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students;
• Bilingual (English/French), considered an asset;
• Knowledge of Nova Scotia, considered an asset.

Applications for the successful candidate will include a:

• cover letter describing the expertise of the applicant
• complete resume
• Writing sample (peer-reviewed publication preferred)
• list of at least three references.

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