Research Officer

Date Posted: 10/22/2026
Req ID: 50701
Faculty/Division: UofT Scarborough
Department: UTSC:Dept-Psychology
Campus: University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)
Position Number: 00060160
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

About us:

The University of Toronto Scarborough is a place of energy, enthusiasm and passion. Our commitment to inclusive excellence attracts the brightest learners, scholars and employees from around the globe. Our success has been made possible by the opportunity given to us by Indigenous hosts to operate on their territory, and we cherish our continuing partnerships with these communities. The University of Toronto Scarborough is an exciting campus with unlimited potential. Join us on our journey.

The Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough is a vibrant, research and teaching intensive department. In addition to providing students with deep grounding in one or more disciplinary traditions, the Department also fosters research at all levels. Its commitment to socially engaged, leading edge research and direct engagement with its community is reflected not only through its curriculum but also in the creative and innovative projects undertaken by faculty and often providing research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. Working alongside faculty, a team of dedicated staff members provide administrative services and support the daily operation of a department that is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion to help create a truly rich and engaging student experience.

Your opportunity:

The Department of Psychological Clinical Science is home to a world-class MA/PhD program in Clinical Psychology that integrates rigorous scientific research with clinical training. The Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, led by Dr. Anthony C. Ruocco, brings together clinical psychology and neuroscience to advance understanding of mental health, inform suicide prevention, and improve assessment and intervention. The research combines psychological assessment, cognitive testing, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain to investigate questions with meaningful implications for individuals, families, and communities.

As the Research Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of research studies by fostering and maintaining positive relationships with project partners such as research assistants, graduate students, MRI staff, and referral partners. You will provide general orientation on study procedures, and will support the consistency and effective study operations. You will monitor and track research activities, accurately record and organize experimental data and results, and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of research records.

Working closely with the Principal Investigator, you will support participant engagement and longitudinal follow-up activities, and coordinate daily study operations, including participant scheduling, preparation of consent forms, distribution and collection of surveys and questionnaires, and verification of financial transactions. In addition, you will exercise sound judgment in addressing routine issues, safeguarding sensitive and confidential information, and escalating concerns or matters requiring input or approval to the Principal Investigator. Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a compassionate and sensitive approach will be essential in working with participants who will contribute to research focused on improving suicide prevention.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Fostering positive relationships with project partners
• Tracking and monitoring research activities
• Informing Principal Investigator of concerns or setbacks
• Collecting experimental data, verifying results and passing on findings
• Recording and tabulating experiment results
• Scheduling study participants
• Disseminating and collecting research surveys and questionnaires
• Handling sensitive and/or confidential information

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field.
• Minimum two years of related experience supporting and coordinating studies involving human participants
• Experience working with people experiencing mental health challenges
• Experience coordinating and formatting research data into reports, maintaining accurate records within a database and conducting data quality checks
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of informed consent, participant confidentiality, and secure handling of sensitive research information
• Experience tracking study financial information and coordinating process for participant compensation
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook. Advanced proficiency with databases (i.e. REDCap) used to collect, track and compile research data, including participant registration, electronic consent forms, surveys and questionnaires, longitudinal data collection, participant study data and reporting.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple activities, manage competing deadlines, and maintain accuracy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, discretion, and a respectful, sensitive approach to working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, resolve routine problems, follow established protocols, and recognize when consultation or escalation is required
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, graduate students, research assistants, and clinical and imaging partners and provide general orientation with respect to study procedures
• Must be willing to travel and work on the St. George campus to support participants with their MRI scanning appointments. Will be required to work some Saturdays (approximately once per month).
• Applicants are expected to show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Experience preparing participants regarding safety screening prior to MRI scanning

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Approachable
• Communicator
• Meticulous
• Organized
• Problem solver
• Resourceful
• Tactful

NOTE: This is a two (2) years TERM position.

Closing Date: 11/08/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Grant - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 07 -- $62,646 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $80,116. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching
Divisional HR Office Email: [email protected]

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Job descriptions are available upon request for internal applicants.