Company Description

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

www.uhn.ca

Job Description

Union: Non-Union
Number of Vacancies: 1
Site: Toronto General Hospital
Department: Emergency Medicine
Reports to: Program Manager
Status: Temporary Full-time
Hours: 35 Per Week
Shifts: Monday - Friday
Closing Date: November 25, 2025

Position Summary:
The Research Associate-I plays a central role in coordinating and implementing Feasible, Accessible, Standard Testing for HIV (FAST-HIV) Program at the Centre for Global Equity in Emergency Medicine (GEM Centre). Working closely with the Clinical Research Coordinator and Principal Investigators, the Research Associate will oversee day-to-day research operations, site coordination, and data integrity across multiple emergency department sites in Ontario. The position will contribute to advancing health equity through improved HIV (and related) testing strategies in acute care settings. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of clinical operations, public health, and research translation within a high-performing academic health network.

The FAST-HIV Program is a multi-site emergency department testing initiative supported by a coordinated research study. At UHN, the program also includes two complementary research arms: (i) integrated hepatitis C (HCV) testing and (ii) geriatric and aging-focused analyses among people living with HIV.

The Research Associate will be responsible for coordinating and implementing all aspects of the research protocol across participating hospital sites, in collaboration with each site’s Principal Site Investigator (PSI) and under the guidance of the FAST-HIV Clinical Research Coordinator. Key responsibilities include supporting the setup and validation of data queries, auditing de-identified datasets for clarity and completeness, assisting PSIs with data cleaning and de-identification, and ensuring secure data transfer and storage in accordance with study protocol and institutional policies.

The successful candidate will be a motivated and vision-driven researcher, with creative problem-solving, organizational and time management skills. A natural curiosity and inclination towards critical analysis of questions in academic medicine, biomedical sciences, public health/epidemiology and/or health equity are well aligned with the research goals of this project. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to engage stakeholders in various situational contexts, tailoring communications to a variety of dissemination mechanisms.

To learn more about FAST-HIV, see fasthiv.ca or @fast_hiv on Instagram. FAST-HIV is housed within the Centre for Global Equity in Emergency Medicine (the GEM Centre) at the University Health Network, University of Toronto. For more information about the GEM Centre, please visit www.gemcentre.ca.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Data Collection, Validation, and Analysis

   • Collaborate with participating hospital site IT/Data Health teams to validate the data produced by their queries. This role involves reviewing the query logic and final data outputs to ensure accuracy and reliability for chart review (note: this role does not involve writing or executing code).
   • Collaborate with the FAST-HIV data programmer by providing specifications for modifying the FAST-HIV data collection form and testing the resulting changes to ensure data from each site is processed correctly.
   • Provide training and ongoing support to participating hospital site investigators on the correct use of the data collection and de-identification form.
   • In collaboration with PSIs, conduct regular audits of transferred study data to verify its completeness and correctness.
   • Maintain detailed internal records of all research-related project activities, setting timelines and research milestones.
   • Assess literature in the field of HIV to inform research questions; develop a data analysis plan, working with steering committee members and the data programmer for support.
   • Assist in developing data dashboards and summary reports for internal quality assurance and external stakeholders.
   • Collaborate with clinical and biostatistical partners to support data cleaning and preliminary analysis for abstracts and manuscripts.
   • May assist with study-related administrative tasks when requested.
     
     In collaboration with the Technical Director/Clinical Research Coordinator:
   • Facilitate data sharing agreements amongst sites.
   • Design and implement data management plans to ensure confidentiality and security of research material and information.
   • Carry out collaborative research activities with the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences.
   • Support site teams to prepare and implement an HCV-testing-specific Quality Improvement protocol and ensure site team compliance.
   • Identify additional relevant funding opportunities for individual FAST-HIV participating sites and the overall research study; draft grant applications in collaboration with PSI(s) and FAST-HIV Principal Investigators.

2. Research Student and Patient Research Partner Supervision

   • Once per year, or on an as-needed and funded basis: Conceptualize, propose, and write up research projects that meet the scope of specific student research programs including STAR-EM (medical undergraduate student), MPH Practicum, PGY3/PGY4 resident student research.
   • In collaboration with the Technical Director/Clinical Research Coordinator, interview and select research students.
   • Support research student activities, including providing feedback, monitoring timelines and activities, and supporting knowledge translation (presentations and/or publications).
   • Following the Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool 2.0 (PPEET), provide scientific support for qualitative patient-partnered research activities; carry out data analysis and knowledge translation with patient partner(s).
     

3. Knowledge Translation

   • Support preparation of internal briefs and policy summaries for clinical and administrative stakeholders at UHN and partner institutions.
   • Coordinate dissemination activities, including website content, infographics, and public presentations, in collaboration with communications staff and patient partners.
   • Contribute to the preparation of external FAST-HIV research and/or knowledge translation presentations (research rounds, conferences, etc.) and products.
   • Draw conclusions for review and incorporation into final research reports; prepare manuscripts for publication in collaboration with the Clinical Research Coordinator, FAST-HIV Principal Investigators and PSIs, as appropriate.
   • Prepare required narrative reports and/or presentations for project funders.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree with 2 years relevant research experience or
• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years relevant research experience
• Candidates with experience in public health, epidemiology, data management, implementation science, and/or clinical research is preferred

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in internal communications (within projects and groups) and external communications.
• Proficiency in data management and statistical analysis/data science, and experience with related software tools (Excel, R/SPSS; any other programming skills are an asset)

Assets:

• Strategic and innovative thinker and creative problem-solver.
• Highly motivated and self-directed individual who works well with minimal direction.
• Demonstrates excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, and with strong skills for stakeholder engagement virtually and in-person.
• Adept at prioritizing projects with competing deadlines, highly skilled at adapting to meet the changing needs of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated personal and data organizational skills.
• Attentive to detail across modalities and in communication.
• Experience developing or managing REDCap or other large databases.
• Experience with manuscript drafting, grant writing, or literature reviews.
• Knowledge of research ethics, privacy standards (e.g., PHIPA), and data security protocols.
• Experience working in hospital or health system environments Familiarity with Good Clinical Practices (GCP) or the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) in clinical research.

Additional Information

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.