Research Impact Facilitator, Wine Research & Climate Resilient Agriculture

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

In alignment with UBC Okanagan's Faculty of Science and UBC Vancouver’s Land and Food Systems Strategic Plans, the Research Impact Facilitator, Wine Research Centre and Climate Resilient Agriculture plays a pivotal role in advancing the University's research agenda in sustainable agriculture, with a focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation of agricultural systems in BC’s interior by bridging the gap between academic innovation and real-world application. The incumbent is responsible for cultivating and managing complex, multi-sectoral partnerships with the wine and agricultural sector at large in Okanagan Valley, Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, government agencies, industry leaders, and international academic institutions. By identifying and supporting the development of research, educational, and knowledge transfer opportunities, the Research Impact Facilitator ensures that UBC-based research and innovation in wine and agricultural sciences are translated into practical tools, evidence-based policies, and collaborative programs that enhance the wine and agricultural sectors in British Columbia, Canada, and globally.

The Wine Research Centre (WRC) at the University of British Columbia is a research collective spanning both campuses to catalyze wine research, facilitate wine education, and knowledge mobilization in BC. The WRC’s goal is to support the strength of the wine sector in British Columbia by enabling interdisciplinary research on all aspects of wine production. The Research Impact Facilitator will be responsible for supporting the planning and coordination of Centre activities, communication and outreach with the community, and communication within the WRC. Working across administrative and academic unitswithin the two Faculties supporting the Wine Research Centre, UBC Okanagan's Faculty of Science and UBC Vancouver’s Land and Food Systems, the Research Impact Facilitator provides expert support for partnership development, interdisciplinary collaboration, funding proposals, strategic communications, and training programs, ultimately ensuring that UBC's research delivers measurable benefits to society and the environment.

• Acts as a primary point of contact between the University and external entities related to the wine and agriculture sector, including growers’ organizations, private industry, First Nations, NGOs, and government organizations.
• Liaises with researchers, internal UBC teams (Development, Vice Principal Research and Innovation, Office of Research Services, etc.) to coordinate/assist partner relationships
• Cultivates and maintains long-term relationships with diverse interested and affected parties ensuring meaningful engagement of those with lived experience relevant to the research.
• Supports grant writing.
• Identifies research funding opportunities and collaborate with faculty to prepare, and design knowledge mobilization strategies for grant proposals.
• Co-designs, coordinates, and implements comprehensive extension programs and tactical plans with knowledge users and community partners.
• Identifies partner interests and align with research opportunities.
• Coordinate meetings between UBC Okanagan's Faculty of Science and UBC Vancouver’s Land and Food Systems, including agenda development and minutes.
• Assist in the preparation of the Wine Research Centre annual activity reports and budgets.
• Promote the activities of the Wine Research Centre and the two Faculties in the field of wine science and agriculture to the broader community, in collaboration with university media relations officers.
• Interprets and translates complex scientific data into accessible materials, such as technical notes, policy briefs, decision-support tools, and multimedia products.
• Identifies opportunities for, and supports development and management of, Continuing Professional Education programs to address knowledge gaps and needs, and foster innovation. May identify funding, develop proposals, and manage budgets related to continuing professional education.
• Plans and hosts wine and agriculture workshops, seminars, field tours, and in-person gatherings to facilitate knowledge exchange.
• Monitors and evaluates the uptake of research activities, collects data and supporting documentation (e.g., letters of support, in-kind contributions, policy briefs, etc.) for Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and prepares impact reports.
• Identifies emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities for new, long-term relational research partnerships.
• Performs other duties as required.
  

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Agricultural Science, Viticulture and Enology, Ecology, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Biology, Natural Resource Management, Science Writing and/or Communications, Social Sciences).
• Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s owned.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

• Experience in a research environment with liaison, outreach, science communications, or project coordination experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders in fields related to the position.
• Exceptional oral and written communication, presentation, conflict resolution, problem-solving, facilitation, management, interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Research literacy to understand complex scientific information and identify what matters to different audiences.
• Research synthesis (extracting, integrating, interpreting and summarizing evidence from diverse sources).
• Knowledge translation and communication (adapting research into formats that different audiences can understand and use).
• Partnership development, facilitation, engagement, collaborative leadership, conflict resolution and consensus building.
• Respect for diverse perspectives, including those in conflict with one's own.
• Ability to creatively interface and facilitate collaboration between diverse groups.
• Demonstrated commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
• Strategic thinking and project management (planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluating, and risk management).
• Graduate degree in a relevant field.
• Adaptable, targeted writing and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to make knowledge accessible to non-academic audiences.
• Knowledge Mobilization experience in a university setting is considered an asset.
• Experience building reciprocal relationships with Indigenous partners and knowledge keepers, guided by principles of data sovereignty and meaningful collaboration.
• Teaching, training, presentation, and technical writing experience.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Highly organized and able to coordinate different projects, events, and partnerships simultaneously.
• Ability to exercise initiative, judgement, tact, and confidentiality; strong problem-solving skills; accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Proficiency with digital media platforms, content management systems, and collaborative tools (e.g., Canva, Microsoft 365).
• Understanding local, provincial, national, and international issues, challenges and opportunities within related research field(s).