Job Description
An exciting full-time opportunity as a Research Associate exists in the Women’s College Research Institute reporting to the Principle Investigator.
This position involves the coordination and management of a multi-centre, transdisciplinary research program in the area of diabetes health services implementation and evaluation. Under the direction of a Clinician Scientist and project leadership team, the candidate will be responsible for planning, initiating, and conducting multi-phased implementation projects across multiple regional healthcare settings and study working groups. The candidate should have strong communication, research, and organizational skills, and be able to work independently and effectively to foster collaborations and partnerships, advance milestones and produce high-quality research in healthcare settings.
Summary of Duties, but not limited to:
Planning, coordination and management:
• Coordinates the initiation and execution of a research program involving a complex, multi-site and multi-phased health services implementation and evaluation, ensuring study deadlines, timelines and deliverables are met.
• Participates partially or fully in initial project design, setting of research goals, project timelines and milestones, and the selection and development of procedures
• Conducts literature searches using PubMed, MEDLINE, or other health sciences databases
• Oversees study operations and deliverables including standard operating procedures, data management, ethics and contracts submissions, amendments and renewals for all study sites
• Oversees and manages the research budget and financial reports
• Acts as primary contact person for internal staff, funding agencies, project team members, research participants, health coaches and external study collaboration partners including hospitals, community health centres, and other research and education institutions.
• Assists in presentations, study site activation, and negotiations with collaboration partners
• Assists with enhancing relationships among existing stakeholders; help with the development of new partnerships
• Coordinates the day-to-day activities of any staff specifically engaged in the carrying out of research/clinical protocol for one or more projects within the research program, as appropriate to their position
• Prepares periodic and ad hoc reports, as required by investigators, administrators, funding agencies, and/or regulatory bodies
• Proactively identifies barriers/threats/risks for project completion and work with team members including investigators, trainees and research assistants to develop solutions
• Responsible for collaborating with the investigator(s) and other relevant partners involved in the project both internally and externally
• Assists in the development and management of educational materials and resources for coaches and participants
Study Conduct and Dissemination:
• Prepares and manages study documents and other research files, including questionnaires, interview guides, study site protocols, consent forms, and participant materials
• Plans, implements and coordinates all aspects of data collection and source documentation as per the organization’s policy and ICH/GCP guidelines
• Participates in conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups
• Draws conclusions for review and inclusion into final research reports
• Assists in data collection and coding
• Assists in interpretation of results and preparation of materials for presentation, publication and/or grants
• Interprets and analyses data to make effective recommendations for program direction
• Lead writing and submissions of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Prepares, submits, and maintains Research Ethics Board (REB) applications both internally as well as submissions to external organizations (if applicable), tracks ethics approvals, and completes renewals/amendments as needed
• Communicates with sites to assist with the preparation and execution of contracts
• Presents seminars and in-services internally
• Provides training and direction to Research Trainees
As a role model and champion you will work to identify and integrate safe, best practices into daily activities to foster the delivery of safe and exemplary care.
The responsibilities described above are representative and are not to be construed as all-inclusive.
Qualifications
• Masters degree in a related field, Health Sciences, Public Health etc.
• Three (3) years of professional experience working in a research environment and/or an academic hospital
• Scientific writing skill, specifically, the ability to write and communicate effectively to scientific/technical audiences
• Strong knowledge of research methods and theory in health research related discipline
• Experience in the area of Implementation Science is an asset
• Detail-oriented with strong data analysis and interpretation skills
• Substantive knowledge in health-related discipline to provide content expertise
• A proven track record of successful project management in a fast paced environment, with the ability to demonstrate excellent project performance including attention to client satisfaction, and adherence to budgets and timelines.
• Ability to consolidate and communicate high quality science clearly and imaginatively to different audiences
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills are essential
• Computer competency including MS Access, MS Word, and MS Excel
• Knowledge of planning and management processes in healthcare, ideally with first-hand knowledge of health services research
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment with a wide variety of people at different levels
• Ability to take initiative and lead a diverse group of individuals
• Professional behavior and communication that meets the standards of the professional regulatory college or association, as applicable, and the standards of Women’s College Hospital
• This position plays a critical role in acting as an advocate for safety and will demonstrate principles, practices and processes that will optimize a safe environment for all
