Job Description

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.


Come work with us!

Job Summary

Within the Department of Pediatrics, the Research Teams involve a multidisciplinary group of research and health care professionals who provide support to staff and learners. Projects that may be supported by the research team include large multi-centre investigator lead studies, industry sponsored studies, and smaller single centre studies led by our own faculty and residents. Our team also supports collaborative projects with our basic science colleagues and learners of all levels from undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral programs, and students from the medical school at Queen's.




Reporting to the Principal Investigator (PI), Department of Pediatrics, the Research Associate provides support for our research projects in accordance with the ICH Good Clinical Practice Guidelines and Clinical Research SOPs, appliable laws, as well as the policies and procedures of Queen's University and the Department of Pediatrics. This position includes a broad range of functions such as asking the research question, defining study objectives, study design and conduct, data handling, analysis and interpretation; collection and processing of biological specimen; collaboration with regulatory agencies, research staff, and healthcare personnel and performing other duties consistent with the job classification, as directed by the PI.




Additional administrative and other duties may be assigned based on study needs. The role may involve supporting learners and faculty in research as assigned by the PI. Training and experience in systematic reviews and meta-analysis is important for the role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:


Project and Study Support

The use of research methods to develop the study question, objectives and study design. Data collection, entry, and cleaning. Ability to use statistics to analyze and interpret data. Knowledge synthesis activities include systematic review and meta-analysis expertise. Writing and executing study protocols. Following complex study protocols and completing study and research related training and documentation. Screening and consenting of patients. Randomization of patients in the case of trials. Managing patient enrollment, including creation and maintenance of study logs, protocols, and other documents. Study administration, including scheduling visits, communicating with participants, reporting to investigators and sponsors. Maintaining all study documentations including regulatory and task delegation logs. Completing and documenting study visits over the phone, video, or in-hospital and/or in clinic, as per the study protocol. Study procedure performance includes measuring heart rate, blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements as well as adiposity measures and others. Allocation and dispensation of study medication and supplies, according to delegated study-specific authority. Collection of study specific biological samples and accurately labelling all specimens. Performing lab procedures for sample processing including, but not limited to, centrifuging, and pipetting of samples, tissue sample collection, and autoclaving. Reviewing lab results and study related events and alerting the PI to urgent results. Appropriately prepare, ship, and receive samples according to transportation of dangerous goods requirements. Experience in laboratory techniques such as PCR and ELISA and others. Writing of manuscripts and meeting posters.

General Research and Departmental Support

Obtaining appropriate contracts and agreements for research studies. Generate protocols for research studies. Interaction with Health Canada and study sponsors. Developing REB applications and maintaining renewals. Database design and development in REDCap and Qualtrics, and ongoing maintenance of studies in these platforms. Ensuring compliance of the lab and research space with local Biosafety certification requirements and protocols. Maintenance of temperature and storage logs for long-term storage of samples. Review of study budgets to ensure appropriateness and scope for research studies as delegated by the PI. In consultation with PI, develop study protocols and procedures for investigator-initiated projects. Liaise with local laboratory and contracted service providers to ensure timely and accurate results for studies. Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of patient, staff, and organization information. Contributes to the supervision and education of learners in research environments. Maintain and develop professional competence through ongoing professional development. Participate in self-directed learning. Other administrative duties as required.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:


Undergraduate science degree plus additional training in Health Sciences, such as a MSc or PhD. 5 years of experience in healthcare research with preferred pediatric experience. Experience with shipping and handling of dangerous goods. Experience with electronic Case Report Form (CRF) platforms, including REDCap and Qualtrics, including both development/programming, as well as ongoing maintenance. Knowledge of relevant legislative requirements (eg. Privacy Act, other). Experience with ethics applications and renewals via Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO) and Queen's University TRAQ system. Experience dealing with regulatory agencies including Health Canada and others.


OTHER SKILLS:

Strong research skills, demonstrated by a combination of experience, education, and training. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Ability to relate professionally to learners. Ability to prioritize, manage time, and be flexible in a dynamic work environment. Knowledge of current laws and regulations that govern research. Respects EDIIA in the workplace. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Familiarity with medical records and data entry platforms.


DECISION MAKING:


Make decisions in consultation with the physicians and governed by the Scope of Practice Statement of the Regulated Heath Profession Act (RHPA). Decide when to seek guidance and advice from others on the team. Prioritize own time and the time of the PI to ensure optimal time management. Timely communication with the PI about all study and team related issues. Recommends reports and documents needed for individual projects, as well as content and format for reports, presentations, publications, and correspondence. Recommends content and format for website and social communication strategies.

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 hradmin@queensu.ca.