Research Assistant

COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended May 1, 2022. However, they remain in effect for students, staff, and faculty in workplaces, including hospitals, where patient care is provided and/or where the work duties or educational requirements of the position involve or support patient care.

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Applicant Guidance & Information

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Disclaimer: As part of the application process at Queen's University, our recruitment system uses Artificial Intelligence (AI), as defined under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, to ask job-related questions and confirm eligibility for hire. All final hiring decisions are made using non-AI related processes.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Research Assistant will assist with the ongoing operation of research studies/clinical trials under the guidance of the Principal Investigator and Co-investigators. The Research Assistant will perform a wide array of duties for research studies/clinical trials that the research unit is participating in or leading. These include, but are not limited to: the completion of study start-up activities (i.e. regulatory documents, research ethics and hospital approvals applications); patient screening, recruitment, and enrollment (obtaining informed consent); coordinating and administering participant follow-up visits; data collection and data entry (i.e. through the completion of case report forms); and study close-out activities. This position will assist with the preparation of grant proposals, reports, and publications, and will interact with research staff, health care professionals, patients, caregivers, and other internal and external stakeholders. In addition, the Research Assistant will also perform administrative duties in support of the research unit. The schedule for this position requires the incumbent to work evenings and weekends when required.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Coordination of the requirements for the conduct of research studies/clinical trials including, but not limited to: regulatory tasks; ethical and hospital approval applications; ensuring protocols are followed; organization of meetings with key stakeholders and participants; and coordination of multi-site research participation/study conduct.
• Responsible for patient recruitment, screening (confirming all eligibility criteria are met), enrollment (obtaining consent) and follow-up for the research studies/clinical trials assigned to the applicant.
• Conduct of participant follow-ups (i.e., hospital-based interviews/assessments and telephone communications) as required. This includes the collection, organization, and input of research data for participants enrolled in studies/clinical trials.
• Preparation, tracking, and organizing of human biological samples (i.e., blood and urine) with appropriate handling for processing or distribution to internal or external labs as required.
• Communication with other research groups and outside agencies regarding research studies/clinical trials
• Assist with the preparation of grant and/or contract proposals for submission, for both individual research and research teams. This includes setting timelines, participating in meetings for the purposes of proposal development, and reviewing drafts and proposal submissions. Provide assistance as required with editing, reviewing and formatting proposals.
• Perform administrative duties on behalf of the Principal Investigator and Research Unit including scheduling of meetings, organizing and maintaining appointments for interactions with other investigators, completion of documentation, and coordination with other centres.
• Prepare draft manuscripts, protocols and presentations, as well as create procedural manuals required for the study.
• Undertake additional duties or special projects as required in support of the Division.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• University degree or three-year post-secondary program in a relevant field.
• Experience in a research environment is required with experience in clinical research being an asset.
• Familiarity with conduct and completion of randomized controlled trials, including CTO applications would be an asset.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Respects diversity and promotes inclusion in the workplace.
• Familiarity with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and Redcap.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact effectively with patients, families, healthcare professionals, researchers, and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to monitor progress and ensure deliverables.
• Superior attention to detail with the ability to focus even under pressure and with frequent interruptions.
• Sound judgment and strong problem-solving skills with the ability to conceptualize, assimilate, and evaluate information from multiple sources.
• Must be self-motivated and be able to work independently and as a team member. This includes the ability to be consultative, collaborative, and proactive while working within a team environment.
• Strong computer skills, with the ability to learn new software programs.
• Ability/enthusiasm to learn new skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to critically and accurately review and interpret medical data.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis of health-related research.

DECISION MAKING:
• Make independent decisions in response to issues arising in trial development and ongoing management of active trials.
• Determine patient eligibility for research studies.
• Determine how to best obtain consent from a patient or surrogate.
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• Determine organization of resources for study related procedures such as meetings, forums and advertisement.
• Determine when, how and to whom to report serious adverse events.
• Respond to general enquires, providing reasonable answers, or a means to find an answer if necessary. Redirects problems to Supervisor and/or Principal Investigator, as appropriate.
• Determine coordination required in preparing grant and contract proposals.
• Determine timelines to ensure critical deadline for submission are met.
• Independent, ongoing assessment of workload priorities is essential to integrate the overall organization, day-to-day administration, medical review of data and analyses of many trials.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at [email protected].