INTERNAL APPLICATIONS ONLY

About OICR

OICR is Ontario’s cancer research institute. We bring together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. We take on the biggest challenges in cancer research and deliver real-world solutions to find cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. We are committed to helping people living with cancer, as well as future generations, live longer and healthier lives.

Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

Position Details

Position: Project Lead, AOTB

Location: MaRS Centre, Toronto

Department: Ontario Tumour Bank (OTB)

Reports To: Director, Ontario Tumour Bank

Hiring Range: $66,000 - $74,100 commensurate with level of experience; total compensation includes a competitive benefits plan (Sun Life), plus a defined benefit pension plan (HOOPP)

Hours: 35 hours/week

Job Type: Hybrid

Status: Full-time, Permanent

Position Summary

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is seeking to fill an existing position for a Project Lead with the scientific and project management expertise to spearhead the development of a new network called Ontario Biobanks. Operating under a central coordinating centre at OICR and hosted by the Ontario Tumour Bank (OTB), Ontario Biobanks has a current membership of ten (10) independent oncology-focused biobanking programs.

The Project Lead will organize activities to continue development of Ontario Biobanks and facilitate communication amongst its members, stakeholders, and affiliates. Reporting to the OTB Provincial Principal Investigator and OTB Director, the Project Lead will also support the activities of the collaborative community to better connect researchers with the samples, data, and services they need to accelerate oncology research in Ontario and beyond.

Position Responsibilities

Facilitate Ontario Biobanks Membership and Governance:

• Facilitate Governance Council and Working Group meetings including invitations, creating agendas and documenting minutes.
• Maintain a portal to facilitate communication, and to document and share inventories of products and services from member sites, protocols and other documents such as the Charter, member contact list, meeting minutes, informed consent forms and fee schedules
• Liaise and engage dedicated Patient Partners
• Prepare and present periodic progress reports and performance metrics for the Ontario Biobanks Governing Council, Scientific Advisory Committee, and OICR leadership
• Issue financial reports and other documents to permit transparent auditing
• Organize Ontario Biobanks workshops to facilitate communication among members and stakeholders and optimize member engagement
• Analyze risks, support the creation and execution of risk mitigation plans where required, revise as appropriate and elevate status/priority to management.

Support Ontario Biobanks working groups:

• Lead monthly meetings, establish Terms of Reference, and develop deliverables and timelines to execute the Charter.
• Track progress and prepare reports to anticipate risks and resolve problems.
• Work with Legal/Technology Transfer departments at member institutions to complete contractual agreements.
• Develop a federated catalogue of assets held by each of the member biobanks.
• Compile participant cohorts, samples and associated data as well as specialized derivation services such as TMA construction, IHC and omic analysis, liquid biopsy characterization, and a shared multi-omics database.
• Contribute to establishing a federated pathology review service, a shared client inquiry and sample/data request system, a cross-bank quality control and audit system, and the development of a dedicated website.
• Maintain the Ontario Biobanks website.

Engage the Biobank and Research communities:

• Maintain regular communication through monthly newsletters.
• Represent Ontario Biobanks interests through participation in collaborative work undertaken by external partners.
• Support cross-training opportunities for networking and mutual problem-solving and networking events.
• Participate in booths and submit abstracts to conferences to promote the network to the biobank and research communities on a quarterly basis as opportunities arise.
• Create processes to monitor activities and facilitate communication with members and stakeholders including support for coordination of cross-bank research requests from academic and industry clients.
• Communicate and participate in joint fundraising opportunities with members of Ontario Biobanks.
• Assist with the recruitment and onboarding of prospective Ontario Biobanks members.
• Continue to fan out research requests to Ontario Biobanks members and affiliates.
• Participate in outreach to biobank societies such as ISBER and to academic and industry researchers.
• Perform other duties as required to maximize the success of Ontario Biobanks.

Position Requirements

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline or recognized equivalent.
• Project management experience and/or professional (PMP) certification is an asset.
• Four (4) to six (6) years of practical and related experience required.
• Experience in research and project management working in an academic hospital system, university or in industry is an asset.
• Familiarity with principles of research involving human participants including research ethics requirements, regulatory affairs, standard operating procedures, and contracts such as Material Transfer Agreements is an asset.

• Knowledge of the Ontario biomedical research ecosystem and familiarity with biospecimens, clinical and research data, biobanking and oncology research is an asset.
• Experience coordinating interdisciplinary teams preferred, demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team required.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational ability required.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills required.
• Excellent organizational, writing, problem-solving, and communication skills required.

For more information about OICR, please visit the website at www.oicr.on.ca.

To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.

POSTED DATE: April 7, 2026
CLOSING DATE: April 10, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.

OICR is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we support an inclusive culture for all. We welcome all applicants, and encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to furthering a diversity of ideas within our community. OICR is committed to fair assessment of a candidate’s abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience. Providing an accessible workplace and recruitment process is important to us, as described in our Accessibility Plan (https://oicr.on.ca/accessibility/). Should you require accommodation during any stage in the recruitment process, please complete the form at the bottom of page https://oicr.on.ca/careers/. Information received related to accommodation will be handled confidentially.

OICR hiring managers may use approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with an initial screening or assessment of applications, and selection of applicants in accordance with OICR’s privacy policies. Personal information associated with any job application will not be shared with or retained by any third party for the purpose of training an AI model. Hiring managers shall determine which applications proceed through the recruitment process.

Resume Format: If you elect to apply, please click on the “Apply for this Job” button below. You will be required to enter contact details, and to attach your resume to your application. Please attach your resume as a .pdf or .doc file.

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research thanks all applicants. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.