We are seeking a Research Associate to help us understand these challenges and identify
opportunities to strengthen the local contractor ecosystem.

Research Objective: 
To assess the capacity, operational readiness, and business-development needs of the regional contractor ecosystem to support affordable, energy-resilient housing maintenance and retrofits in rural Nova Scotia.

The research will identify gaps in workforce availability, technical skills, business support, geographic coverage, and market coordination, while examining how community finance and targeted sector-development interventions could strengthen contractor participation and support long-term investment in rural housing stock.

Core research question: 
What workforce, business-development, and market coordination constraints limit the delivery of affordable, energy-resilient housing maintenance in rural communities, and how can community finance help strengthen the contractor ecosystem needed to sustain rural housing stock?

Key responsibilities: 
The Research Associate will support the design and implementation of an applied research project focused on rural residential construction and renovation.