Research Team Lead, Cascade Institute

Royal Roads University is located on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen- speaking Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. This land has been part of the fabric of the life of Indigenous communities long before Hatley Castle was built, and it will be long into the future. It is with gratitude that we now learn and work here, where the past, present and future of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty and staff come together. Located in one of Canada's most beautiful National Historic Sites, RRU is just minutes from downtown Victoria, British Columbia and is surrounded by old growth forest and awe-inspiring ocean and mountain views. RRU is a special-purpose university that delivers high-quality applied and professional programs. Established by the provincial government in 1995 through the Royal Roads University Act, RRU was created with a unique mandate and governance structure to respond to the labour market needs of British Columbia. RRU has over 34,000 alumni in 92 countries. With a reputation for innovation, RRU is a leader in the delivery of blended learning programs, which combine intensive residency experiences with online course work.

Requisition #

R0069

Job Title

Research Team Lead, Cascade Institute

Division Department

Royal Roads University -> Office of the Vice-President, Academic & Provost -> Research & Innovation -> Cascade Institute

Recruitment Type

Temporary Full Time

Category

Research

# of Hires Needed

1

Closing Date

2/29/2024

Job Description

The Team Lead, Energy Systems Transformation is a hybrid research and project/people management position. The role is a three-year limited term position with the possibility of renewal depending on performance and funding. The start date for the position is Feb. 1 - May 1, 2024. Special consideration will be given to applicants who are able to work at least three days per week at the Cascade Institute office on Royal Roads University campus—however, hybrid and remote working arrangements may be considered.

The Team Lead will apply their leadership, expertise, and analytical/methodological toolkit to three main areas (demonstrated expertise in at least one area is required – plus interest in the other two):

The scale-up and acceleration of local-level energy system innovations (technological, institutional, and worldview) to the regional/national/global level

The political and regulatory environment around geothermal energy systems in Canada (specifically, ultradeep geothermal systems)

Worldviews/belief systems and strategies for shifting entrenched and polarized beliefs—particularly around energy systems innovation, climate policy, and reconciliation

Primary Position Outcomes

Works both independently and with team members to collect data, conduct cutting-edge analysis, and write high-quality deliverables (academic and non-academic papers, reports, briefings, system mapping tools)

Collaborates with team members, as well as the communications team to mobilize knowledge, findings, and recommendations to maximize their impact

Contributes to the development and execution of new strategies and projects in collaboration with team members

Manages research projects, including the management of project timelines, deliverables, budgets, funder relationships, collaborator relationships, and project evaluation, with the support of the Research Director

Manages members of the Energy Systems Transformation team with the support of the Research Director

Leads the development and execution of knowledge mobilization activities and the implementation of “actions” emerging from research/analysis outputs from their team (with the support of team members and the Research Director.

Provides regular progress updates to the Research Director and various advisory teams/boards

Contributes to the tracking of project evaluation metrics and helps to fulfill project reporting requirements

Co-develops funding proposals with the support of the Research Director

Integrates inclusion, diversity and accessibility in processes, activities and resources

About the Energy Systems Transformation team

The Cascade Institute's Energy Systems Transformation (EST) team conducts applied research and analysis to accelerate the energy transition. Their work seeks to harness non-linear change in technological and social systems to produce new solutions. Using tools to measure and map worldviews and policy preferences, EST team members identify and investigate potential technological and social innovations capable of catalyzing energy system transformation at a rate and scale commensurate with the urgency and magnitude of the climate crisis. The EST team pursues new research pathways, analyzes emerging data, and provides timely advice to frontline actors including policymakers, financial actors, and activists. This work explores the technological, institutional, and worldview components of energy systems to effectively guide R&D, investment, and implementation of key energy technologies.

The EST team is a part of Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) (supported by the Canada First Excellence Research Fund)—a research collaboration with the University of Victoria, Yukon University, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, and the University of British Columbia helping communities achieve their unique clean-energy systems goals.

About Cascade Institute Team Leads

The Team Lead at the Cascade Institute is a hybrid project/research management and research position with four key roles. First, they are responsible for co- managing the members of one of the Institute's teams along with the Research Director. Each team is made up of Senior Fellows, Fellows, and Research Associates. Second, they are responsible for managing specific project(s) for that team—including the management of project timelines, deliverables, budgets, funder relationships, collaborator relationships, and project evaluation—with the support of the Research Director. Third, they are responsible for working both independently and collaboratively with other team members to produce cutting-edge research and analysis products. And fourth, the Team Lead is responsible for leading the development and execution of knowledge mobilization activities and the implementation of “actions” emerging from research/analysis outputs.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

A doctorate in the social or natural sciences – or a master's degree with relevant work and research experience

Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience post-doctorate/masters

Demonstrated expertise (e.g., writing, publications, other research/analysis outputs) in either:

the scale-up and acceleration of energy system innovations (technological, institutional, worldview);

the political and regulatory environment around geothermal energy systems in Canada (specifically, “ultradeep” geothermal systems); or

worldviews/belief systems and strategies for shifting entrenched and polarized beliefs—particularly around energy systems innovation, climate policy, and reconciliation.

Demonstrated expertise in the dynamics of complex systems (e.g., writing, publications, other research/analysis outputs)

Experience leading collaborative/team projects

Experience leading complex, interdisciplinary projects

Experience managing project timelines, deliverables, and budgets,

Experience managing funder relationships and relationships with project collaborators

Experience tracking project evaluation metrics and meeting project reporting requirements

Demonstrated ability to write with exceptional analytical clarity

Demonstrated ability to effectively tailor outputs for different types of readers

Experience communicating research/analysis findings beyond journal articles and academic conferences

Demonstrated ability to present research/analysis findings orally in a clear and compelling manner—and to engage critically and constructively with other experts in a meeting/workshop/webinar setting

Demonstrated ability to build broad networks of other experts and practitioners

Demonstrated ability to leverage networks to improve the quality of research/analysis outputs and maximize the impact of knowledge mobilization

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working at a research institute, think tank, or research- focused NGO

Experience using formal expert elicitation methods

Experience using horizon scanning/scenario planning methods

Additional Information

This is a temporary, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week for a term from March 15, 2024 until March 31, 2027. This position has been evaluated at MPT-D with a salary range of $81,964 (minimum) to $96,333 (midpoint) to $110,702 (maximum) per annum. Employment offers will normally be made between the minimum and midpoint of the range and are determined by knowledge, experience and internal equity. The University is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefit package. Royal Roads University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our faculty and staff including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

While Royal Roads University values all applications we receive, only those candidates shortlisted for further consideration will be contacted. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, you will need to be legally eligible to work in Canada for the duration of the employment contract. If you require any form of accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us directly at [email protected] attention: Lorisha Bühler or 250-391-2600 extension 4408 so we can offer you individualized assistance and ensure equity in our recruitment and hiring process. ALL COMPETITIONS WILL CLOSE AT 10.00 P.M. ON THE DATE OF CLOSING