Intermediate Service Designer to enhance the research administration services through user-centered design and process innovation.

Our client is seeking an Intermediate Service Designer to enhance the research administration services through user-centered design and process innovation.

Must Have

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Service Designer, UX Designer, or similar role.
• Demonstrated experience applying service design methodologies and tools (e.g., user research, journey mapping, service blueprinting, prototyping).
• Experience designing or improving administrative or operational services within a complex organizational environment, such as a university or research institution.
• Proven ability to understand and map complex systems and processes involving multiple stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in Design, HCI, Anthropology, Psychology, Business/Public Administration, or equivalent professional experience.

Nice to Have

• Direct experience designing services related to research administration.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Experience working within a university Research Office or similar unit.
• Familiarity with Canadian research funding or advancement landscape (e.g., Tri-Agency policies/procedures).
• Experience with change management principles and practices.
• Experience designing both digital and non-digital service touchpoints.
• Familiarity with relevant university systems (e.g., grants management software, ethics portals, financial systems).

Description

The Service Designer will focus on enhancing the services that support the University of Alberta’s research community. This role will involve applying human-centered design methodologies to understand user needs, identify service gaps, and co-design solutions to improve processes related to grant application and management, ethics review, research finance, reporting, compliance, and knowledge mobilization. The position emphasizes collaboration across diverse stakeholders to develop innovative service solutions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research.
• Create service blueprints, journey maps, and ecosystem maps.
• Facilitate collaborative design workshops.
• Develop and test service prototypes.
• Translate insights into actionable service requirements and design specifications.
• Define KPIs and metrics for evaluating service design interventions.
• Advocate for human-centered design principles across the university.
• Collaborate with business consultants, project managers, IT developers, and research administrators.