Senior Research Associate, Education & Skills (Remote - 12-month Contract)

Over the next 50 years, the noise in our systems will grow—amplified by reactive decisions, environmental disruption, and shifting political and economic realities. These pressures will come from within and beyond our borders. Making decisions based on hard evidence has become the imperative of our times.

With approximately 100 economists and researchers Signal49 Research provides Canadians with the accurate data and rigorous unbiased research they need to navigate complex issues across eight critical arenas—Economics, Education & Skills, Health, Human Resources, Indigenous & Northern Communities, Innovation & Technology, Immigration, and Sustainability. As Canada’s leading applied research organization, we publish over 500 research outputs a year, helping to advance education on the critical issues facing our communities, our organizations and our country. Our Executive Councils bring leaders together to share real-world insights and support evidence-based decision-making. All in service of a stronger more prosperous Canada.
For more than 70 years, Signal49 Research is where Canada has turned for applied, independent research and meaningful connections. Leaders trust us because we stand apart: objective, credible, and connected. To learn more about Signal49 Research and our history, check out our website: https://www.signal49.ca/ 

We are seeking a Senior Research Associate to join the Education & Skills team for a 12-month contract.  

Our Ideal Candidate will be an experienced researcher and strong communicator with expertise in education, skills, labour markets, and workforce issues, and a strong understanding of the business, academic, government, and public policy environments in which this work takes place. They will bring strong quantitative and mixed-methods research skills, with experience examining areas such as labour market outcomes, employer demand, occupational and skills needs, workforce alignment, and education-to-workforce pathways. They will be able to conceptualize strategic research questions, lead and conduct major applied research projects, analyze complex data and evidence, and translate findings into clear, compelling insights for government, post-secondary, and private sector decision-makers. They will be a strong writer who can produce high-quality research reports, proposals, briefings, and other products for both technical and non-technical audiences. The ideal candidate will also be strategic, responsive, and comfortable managing multiple priorities and deadlines, while leading on a variety of business development activities—growth mindset is a must for this role.

Overall, the successful candidate will be part of a professional research and convening team and will undertake integrated, independent, and compelling applied research for decision-makers.

We are a virtual organization and as a remote worker you must be comfortable and able to work 100 per cent of the time from a home office in Canada. To be successful as a remote worker you need to have a self-starter attitude, possess strong organizational and time management skills and be a proactive communicator. Having a home office environment that provides for a productive, professional, and safe work environment during regular working/business hours is a requirement of this role. This includes internet service and a reliable connection.

About the Role

• Lead, manage, and contribute to applied research projects of varying sizes, scopes, and complexities.
• Design and conduct research related to education, skills, labour markets, workforce development, and education-to-workforce pathways.
• Apply advanced quantitative research techniques and mixed-methods approaches to analyze economic and social data related to education. 
• Analyze and quickly translate complex research results into key messages and compelling insights for senior executives and decision makers.
• Produce high-quality research reports, executive summaries, articles, presentations, op-eds and proposals.
• Manage projects to ensure deliverables are on time, within budget, and meet client expectations.
• Work directly with clients and partners throughout the research process, including scoping research questions, presenting findings, and identifying implications.
• Play an active role in business development, including developing research concepts and proposals, securing funding for research projects, and building relationships with executives and senior leaders.
• Conceptualize new research opportunities and projects.
• Present research findings and insights with confidence at conferences, business development meetings, and other external forums.
• Become familiar with Signal49’s research, data, and expertise across Education & Skills and related Knowledge Areas, and draw connections across areas of work where relevant.
• Deliver excellence in product and customer service and demonstrate a consistent commitment to high-quality work, collaboration and professional values.  
  

About You
Required Skills and Qualifications: 

• PhD or Master’s degree in economics, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
• Minimum of six years’ experience in a professional research environment with responsibility for handling complex projects from inception to completion.
• Substantial experience and in-depth knowledge of economic or public policy research on a broad range of education and skills themes.
• Strong quantitative research and analytical skills, including experience working with large and complex datasets (e.g., job postings) and. public data sources (e.g., Statistics Canada) related to post-secondary education and labour market outcomes.
• Demonstrated understanding of qualitative research approaches, including literature reviews, interviews and case studies.
• Proficiency with analysis software such as R, Python, Power BI and/or other research analysis tools.
• Ability to interpret complex research findings and translate them into clear, practical insights for government, post-secondary, business, and other audiences.
• Ability to write clearly, concisely, and quickly for a range of audiences; published research, articles, or other public-facing work would be an asset.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, budgets, and client expectations.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate research findings with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Business acumen and a growth mindset, with an interest in identifying research opportunities, developing proposals, and contributing to business development.
• Proficiency working in a Microsoft Office environment.
• Ability to travel within Canada as required.

Benefits

At Signal49 Research, we believe that putting People First is key to our success and attracting the best people. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive and we are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:  

• Virtual First – work from home anywhere across Canada.  
• A workplace where your hard work is not just valued, but actively celebrated. We take pride in our commitment to recognizing and rewarding the exceptional talent that drives our success through our Recognition programs.
• Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP): We understand that life can be unpredictable and challenging and EFAP supports you and your family during difficult times.   
• Work/Life Balance: We offer the option of compressed workweeks with Friday afternoon closures. 
• A modern, defined benefit (DB) pension plan: We care about your future and offer an optional pension plan with a 5% match eligibility from Day One   

The hiring zone for this position is $80,793-$95,050 annually for candidates from any Canadian province or territory. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, specific skillsets, as well as market and business considerations. The full compensation band for this position ranges from $80,793-$109,308. The recruiter can share more information about compensation for the position during the hiring process. This job posting is for an existing vacancy within Signal49 Research. We are actively seeking to fill this role with a qualified candidate.

At Signal49 Research, we value the unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that each individual brings to our team. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and supportive work environment where people of all backgrounds feel respected and empowered to do their best work. We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed qualification. If this role aligns with your experience and interests, we would love to hear from you. 

As a virtual first organization, interviews are conducted via video or phone. To support all candidates, we build accessibility into our hiring process by default. This includes sharing interview questions in advance, offering live captions or transcription, and providing flexibility in interview formats, timing, and assessments wherever possible. 
We recognize that everyone engages best in different ways. If there’s anything that would make the process work better for you, you’re welcome to let us know at any stage, no explanation required. You can contact us at recruitment@signal49.ca and we’ll work with you to support your participation.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest in Signal49 Research. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.