Senior Research Associate Knowledge Translation TIES

Senior Research Associate

The Knowledge Translation (KT) Program is currently looking for Senior Research Associate, with a primary focus on working with the Team for Implementation, Evaluation and Sustainability (TIES) and Wellness Hub (WH). TIES and WH partner with patients, public, healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers to design, implement, evaluate, and sustain evidence-informed interventions that improve health outcomes and health system performance. Through implementation science, program evaluation, interest holder engagement, and applied research, the team advances innovative solutions that support equitable, person-centred care and strengthen the translation of evidence into real-world practice.

This position is intended for candidates with PhD training, and experience conducting semi-independent implementation science research, including study design, implementation, funding, analysis, interpretation, and presentation/publication of results. The Senior Research Associate will provide TIES and WH with KT research and capacity-building expertise, support program-wide initiatives as required, and will act as the point of contact for research expertise in lieu of the TIES and WH Principal Investigator. They are also required to supervise, mentor, and guide junior staff and students.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people in underrepresented communities are less likely to apply to jobs when they don’t meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we still welcome you to apply.

Duties And Responsibilities

Contributes to PI research (40% of work time)

The Senior Research Associate is expected to support and contribute to the Principal Investigator’s research projects with a high degree of autonomy.

Contributes to the design of scientific methods and study protocols necessary to fulfill project scope

Ensures valid implementation of data collection and interest-holder engagement methods

Evaluates data, experiments, techniques, and other methods.

Troubleshoots as needed, while ensuring feasibility and reproducibility of concepts prior to implementation.

Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans to inform research priorities and generate new ideas for program development.

In collaboration with the Principal Investigator, contributes partially or wholly to the writing, and submission of research grant applications, proposals, reports, manuscripts, and publications.

Registering protocols and posting data and code online, as appropriate.

Writes, reviews, responds to, and approves submissions to the research ethics board (including study protocols and study materials such as interview guides, recruitment scripts, and data logs) and all other required submissions relative to the initiation and conduct of individual studies

Support TIES and WH staff to develop, implement, track and evaluate project critical paths to ensure projects are completed in a timely manner with high scientific quality

Monitor and quality control data collection and analysis, including ensuring adherence with REB processes

Lead and facilitate meetings with researchers, community partners, collaborators, and stakeholders to advance project objectives.

Execute project milestones as part of a diverse and multi-disciplinary team

Serve as a key resource within the KT Program, providing expertise and guidance to support successful project delivery.

Independently conduct research within KT Program (35% of work time)

The Senior Research Associate expected to independently initiate and run KT research activities.

Independently lead all aspects of research from conception through execution, analysis, and dissemination

Lead capacity building and strengthening activities, including developing and delivering tailored training to internal and external interest holders

Develop research protocols, capacity-building materials, and other KT Program products

Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external collaborators and pursue new collaborations

Analyze and interpret data to generate actionable insights and advance knowledge

Prepare and publish manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, posters, and other KT products as first or contributing author

Support and contribute to grant applications, funding proposals, and research funding initiatives in collaboration with the Principal Investigator

Present findings at local, national, and international conferences, as needed

Conduct literature reviews and contribute to scientific publications and grant development

Day-to-day project and staff guidance tasks (20% of work time)

The Senior Research Associate should have managerial skills to supervise, guide, mentor, and train junior level research staff, students, and visitors including Research Coordinators, Research Assistants, Grad Students, Post Docs, and summer students.

Supervise, mentor, and train junior staff, students, and research trainees.

Coordinate project resources and workflows to support successful project delivery.

Support recruitment and retention activities

Assist with performance eviews

Oversee junior research personnel and trainee outputs, including papers and abstracts

Ensure compliance with ethical, regulatory, and safety requirements.

Serve as a subject matter expert and key resource for program and research initiatives.

Create and manage project budgets

Supervise the overall research operations of TIES and WH teams

Administrative Duties (5% of work time)

Senior Research Associates are expected to ensure their administrative duties are organized, and completed on time, within institutional standards.

Ongoing coordination of administrative activities including data collection activities, to ensure the effective use of resources and the efficient completion of work

Ensure timely completion and submission of time-sensitive project-related documents.

Performs cross-functional and other duties as assigned and/or requested.

Responsibilities

All staff are expected to carry out their assigned duties and responsibilities in a manner which prioritizes patient and employee safety, and confidentiality. Key accountabilities in this regard include:

Strict compliance with patient/employee confidentiality practices and policies

Strict compliance with patient/employee safety practices and standards

Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee confidentiality breaches in accordance with established policies and procedures

Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee safety risks and incidents/events in accordance with established policies and procedures

Qualifications, Knowledge, And Skills

PhD in health services research, epidemiology, implementation science, or related field and at least 4 years’ experience working as a semi-independent researcher in related discipline OR demonstrable equivalent combination of specialized education and experience.

Experience in qualitative and mixed methods research. Quantitative expertise including survey design and trial conduct is an asset. Excellent communication (verbal/written), including plain language writing skills required

Strong internal and external relationship management skills, with an ability to professional interact with and establish positive working relationships with diverse groups are required

Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches is an asset

Excellent leadership skills, and the ability to act as a liaison between team members and the Principal Investigator as needed.

Previous supervisory experience, including managing staff in a hybrid environment is required

Previous experience in KT, including demonstrated success in grant/proposal development, implementation studies, and preparation of manuscripts is required

Experience supporting applications to and/or management of Horizons Europe grants is an asset

Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and manage multiple studies

Effective problem-solving, analytical and technical skills

Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity

Commitment to team-based science, research integrity (e.g., writing and registering protocols, using reporting guidelines, and posting data and code publicly) and a growth mindset

Qualitative data analysis software knowledge (i.e., NVivo) is required

Statistical programs knowledge (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R) is required

Experience with reference management software (e.g., EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley) is required

Proficiency with MS365 software (e.g., Word, Excel PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)

RCR (Responsible conduct of Research) is an asset

GCP and TCPS 2 (Completed within first 2 weeks of hire)

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.

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