Job Summary

This position reviews research applications submitted to the Queen’s University Research Ethics Board and ensures adherence to research ethics and institutional policies, procedures and both national and international guidelines. This position provides support, education and assistance to the researchers and their teams to help facilitate the Research Ethics Board process. This position identifies potential complications to research applications and works with applicants to resolve issues prior to final review. This position also reviews and approves reports on adverse events, protocol deviations, and other reportable events and determines the risk level of serious adverse event reports to ensure adequate information is received.

Candidates with in-depth knowledge of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2), with experience guiding researchers and review bodies in its practical application across a range of study types are welcome to apply.

Job Description

“What you will do

• Reviews research applications submitted to the Queen’s University Research Ethics Boards (REBs).
• Applies all aspects of the research ethics policies and regulatory body requirements when reviewing research protocols, applications, participant facing materials, and consent form materials.
• Ensures adherence to research ethics and institutional policies and procedures, national and international guidelines and other ethical guidelines regarding recruitment, consenting, data governance, and privacy issues.
• Identifies potential complications to research applications such as adherence to guidelines, policies, procedures, data governance, privacy Issues, compliance issues, and/or regulatory body requirements.
• Contacts faculty, other researchers, or research coordinators to resolve issues and requests revisions prior to final review.
• Identifies issues in research applications such as language usage, readability, or confidentiality concerns.
• Reviews and approves reports on adverse events, protocol deviations, and other reportable events.
• Determines the risk level of serious adverse event reports to ensure adequate information is received.
• Distributes items of perceived high risk or urgency for review.
• Provides support, education, and assistance to researchers and their teams to help facilitate the REB process.
• Prepares packages for monthly Board meetings, including writing summaries of applications, both of a delegated and full board nature.
• Plans, organizes, presents and directs the REB annual educational retreat.
• Revises and drafts policies and guidelines.

Required Education

• Four-Year Bachelor Degree or equivalent. In addition, requires trade certification, qualification, or on-going learning to remain ahead of changes in technology or emerging fields.

Required Experience

• More than 5 years of experience.

Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Knowledge and Requirements

• Knowledge of concepts and principles in a specialist field that is typically acquired through a combination of advanced professional or academic qualifications and/or substantial work experience.
• Provide effective consultation and advice on non-straightforward and/or complex issues.
• Interaction with others requires interpersonal skills and the ability to understand and influence.
• Adapt messages to meet the different needs of different audiences.
• Builds relationships, trust and credibility.
• Prioritize and distribute work to deliver objectives on time and to the highest standard.
• Identify in advance when the intended results may not be achieved and develops a plan to address the gaps.
• Actively participate in project team meetings and develop individual and unit project plans.
• Lead procedural or technological change within a unit.
• Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work processes.
• Seek information and input to fully understand the cause of problems.
• Appropriately assesses risks before making a decision.
• Contribute to the creation and evaluation of possible solutions.
• Take action to remove obstacles and address problems before they impact performance and results.
• Apply equity, diversity, accessibility, inclusion and Indigenization considerations to decision making and planning.
• Promote a work environment that is free from sexual violence, harassment and discrimination, and the ability to show empathy for those who have experienced trauma.

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.