The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Cape Breton University (CBU) is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Associate to join a transformative, multi-year research initiative titled Homeward Bound: Enhancing Healthcare, Housing, and Social Support for Aging Rural Nova Scotians. Funded by Research Nova Scotia 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: www.homewardboundns.ca
This postdoctoral position will focus on the health support (pre-hab) pillar of Homeward Bound, collaborating with the housing and social work project areas.
This postdoctoral role focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating healthcare-related interventions that support older adults aging in place across Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) in rural Nova Scotia. The methodological approach spans need assessment, co-design, training, implementation, and longitudinal monitoring. Prehabilitation aims to optimize ARNS physical, nutritional, emotional, and medical conditions prior to surgery to reduce postoperative morbidities. This comprehensive program includes personalized interventions such as movement, nutrition optimization, and psychological support to communities that may not have occupational therapists, fitness facilities, social workers, or dieticians located within immediate community contexts.
Research activities include: development of prehab exercise/nutrition modules, pilot virtual delivery, track pre/post frailty index shifts, adapting prehabilitation content for cultural relevance, analyzing dropout reasons and success factors, analyze mobility outcomes post-surgery and develop community-led activity toolkits.
This is a full-time hybrid role based in Sydney, NS, reporting to the Project Manager and working closely with a multi-disciplinary team. This position is for three years with renewal possibilities, dependent upon funding and project need. The applicant must be able to travel across Eastern Nova Scotia, as needed for community-engaged research activities. The salary range for this position will be from $70,000 to $80,000 annually.
Key Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
Desirable Skills and Experience
Applications for the successful candidate will include a:
Please upload all required documents to Additional Documents if no designated area is listed. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Click here to view more information and to apply.
Applications must be received by November 7th, 2025.
Cape Breton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply but applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
CBU is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and applicants are encouraged to self-identity if they are part of a marginalised community, or have experience working with Indigenous communities.
If we contact you for an interview and you are a person with a disability who requires technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance.
Cape Breton University
Human Resources Dept.
HumanResources@cbu.ca
1250 Grand Lake Road,
Sydney, NS B1M 1A2