Research Assistant (SRI) - Evaluative Clinical Sciences - Temporary Full-Time 2026-19284

One of Canada's Top 10 Research Hospitals, Sunnybrook Research Institute is developing innovations in care for the more than 1.3 million patients the hospital cares for annually.

Sunnybrook Research Institute is the research enterprise of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Research spans three Toronto-based campuses, eight programs and three scientific platforms. Our main aims are to understand and prevent disease, and to develop treatments that enhance and extend life. Our vision is to invent the future of health care. Each year, we conduct about $100 million in research across 500,000 square feet, including in the world’s first Centre for Research in Image-Guided Therapeutics.

Family Navigation Project

The Family Navigation Project (FNP) at Sunnybrook is a non-profit program designed to provide expert navigation of the mental health and addiction service system for youth and their families residing in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). FNP is a free service offered through phone and email that uses a combination of clinical and lived experience to support youth and their families on their care pathway. FNP is strongly committed to equitable hiring practices and building a team that reflects the full spectrum of diverse communities we partner with. Sunnybrook Research Institute is strongly committed to inclusion and diversity within our community, and we welcome and encourage applications from Black, Indigenous and people of colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, people with disabilities, and those who live at the intersection of equity-deserving communities.

Role Summary

Sunnybrook Research Institute is seeking a Research Assistant (RA) with the Family Navigation Project to support the day-to-day research operations of our flagship projects, including a study supporting youth from equity deserving communities (EDC) experiencing mental health and addiction issues. This position reports to the Scientist and is a Temporary-Full-Time opportunity.

Note: This position is eligible to participate in our Pension, Extended Health and Dental Plans.

Position Responsibilities:

The Research Assistant will conduct key tasks including, but not limited to:

• Support all phases of the research process, including development of Research Ethics Board applications, literature reviews (systematic/narrative/scoping reviews), data analyses, participant recruitment and compensation
• Create, organize, and maintain study logs, documentation, and data
• Conduct qualitative analysis using software (e.g., MAXQDA)
• Conduct quantitative data analyses using software (e.g., R)
• Maintain references using software (e.g. Mendeley)
• Support submission of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Develop presentations, visuals, reports, research papers, and publications based on research results and contribute to the presentation of research results at seminars, scientific conferences, and related settings
• Liaise with research collaborators, research team members, Research Ethics Board staff, granting agencies, contracts and finance staff, and/or regulatory bodies
• Engage stakeholders (e.g., FNP staff, FNP’s Advisory Councils, Sunnybrook Staff, and equity-deserving and other communities to ensure relevant and informed implementation process)
• Collect key demographic metrics against targets and to understand clientele, and evaluate the experience of clients from EDC against researched best practices in mental healthcare
• Support strategic outreach initiatives through community research and database development to understand our catchment areas
• Ensure the voice of lived experience is integrated and evident in all stages of the research process and its outcomes
• Support other program initiatives as necessary

Qualifications/Skills:

• A minimum bachelor’s level degree in a relevant field (i.e. Psychology, Life Sciences, or another research stream. Master’s degree is an asset
• At least one year of related research work
• Strong quantitative research skills (e.g., community surveys, experimental designs, inferential statistics) and knowledge of qualitative research (e.g., thematic analysis, content analysis)
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding the needs of and/or previous experience working with EDC is considered an asset
• Previous experience in family and/or youth mental health and addiction services research is preferred
• Highly self-directed with excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills including oral, written, and presentations
• Ability to work in a team environment and understand the importance of independent work in addition to asking for direction
• Clear understanding of protecting participant privacy and confidentiality within research studies and in clinical settings
• Strong data management and analytical skills; competency using analytic software (experience with R, MAXQDA, or related applications is an asset)
• MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) proficiency

Qualified Applicants please submit a Cover Letter along with your Resume/CV.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted.

Sunnybrook Research Institute is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation for disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate this in your cover letter.

Sunnybrook Research Institute is strongly committed to inclusion and diversity within its community and welcomes all applicants including but not limited to: visible minorities, all religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.