The Centre for Health and Community Research (CHCR) at the University of Prince Edward Island invites applications for the position of Research Scientist. The CHCR is a collaborative research centre that brings together researchers and stakeholders from UPEI as well as universities, health authorities, and government bodies across Canada. The CHCR provides research support and advice to faculty members, government, and community collaborators on projects dedicated to enhancing health care delivery, policy making, and community wellbeing. To facilitate these objectives, the CHCR has established and oversees the Secure Island Data Repository (SIDR). SIDR is a research data repository and custodian under the Health Information Act. SIDR offers secure access to de-identified administrative health and social data for research and planning purposes. Reporting to the Director of the CHCR/SIDR, the Research Scientist will provide scientific expertise and support to all aspects of research supported by the CHCR and SIDR.

The successful candidate will be an experienced researcher who will work closely with the CHCR/SIDR Director and Senior Research Scientist/SIDR Manager to provide scientific expertise and stakeholder engagement for research projects and initiatives supported by the CHCR and SIDR. They will also take part in initiatives aimed at embedding principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in research at UPEI and across our research networks. This will be an important area of focus, and the successful candidate must be committed to promoting and supporting a culture of respect, inclusion, and equity in research and within the research community.

The Research Scientist will play a large role in a research project which aims to select and map meaningful indicators related to certain populations that are disproportionately impacted by climate change. This information could inform climate adaptation strategies that are targeted to the needs of specific communities. The Research Scientist will play a key role in meaningfully engaging with PEI residents, decision-makers, and other community stakeholders at all stages of this research project.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Participate in and provide advice on the scoping, planning, design, development, execution and management of research and evaluation projects supported by the CHCR
• Oversee, conduct, and provide advice on research activities. For example, completing research ethics board submissions; seeking out funding opportunities; supporting the development of grant applications; qualitative/quantitative data collection and analysis; writing reports, manuscripts, and other knowledge translation products; and presenting research results to patients, other stakeholders, and academic audiences
• Assist the CHCR/SIDR Director and Senior Research Scientist/SIDR Manager with completing reporting requirements for funders and other stakeholders
• Lead patient, public, and stakeholder engagement activities for CHCR supported projects. Develop engagement strategies for these projects and evaluate the engagement process
• Participate in national and regional committees and working groups related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. Apply and share learnings and best practices
• Actively participate in efforts to promote and adopt actions in support of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) within the UPEI research community. Develop a local community of practice focused on pragmatic applications of IDEA principles in research, in particular data--focused research
• Provide expertise on inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility; patient/public engagement; and knowledge translation for CHCR-supported projects and initiatives
• Participate in other relevant working groups and committees within the Maritime SPOR Support Unit (including the Research Project Management committee), the SPOR Canadian Data Platform, and Health Data Research Network Canada
• Assist with managing CHCR social media accounts and creating and managing website content
• Participate in interprovincial priority projects of the Maritime SPOR Support Unit
• Other related duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A graduate degree in a relevant field. Strong preference for epidemiology or any applied human health research field with a data component. Demonstrated equivalencies will be considered. All applicants are encouraged to apply
• Significant experience (minimum 5 years) in planning and executing qualitative and/or quantitative research projects and strong knowledge of research methods
• Significant experience (minimum 5 years) in collaborating and engaging with a variety of stakeholders for research and evaluation projects (e.g., academic researchers, federal and provincial governments, community-based organizations, health authorities and providers, national organizations)
• Strong writing skills as evidenced by a history of publications of various formats (please provide a list with your application)
• Research project management experience is strongly preferred
• Knowledge of, commitment to, and preferably experience with embedding principles and/or considerations of patient engagement; sex and gender diversity; Indigenous allyship and engagement; and inclusion, equity, diversity, and accessibility in research
• Lived experience or expertise in diversity and inclusion is an asset
• Demonstrate an understanding of and adherence to equitable data governance frameworks (e.g., Indigenous data sovereignty, OCAP, Five Safes, EGAP) and appreciate their importance in reconciliation and decolonization.
• Experience with administrative health data is preferred, as much of our work involves the use of this data. Candidates who have some experience with data, or at a minimum demonstrate the interest and ability to learn new skills in this area are encouraged to apply
• An understanding of climate change adaptation and how climate change disproportionately impacts certain populations would be a strong asset
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Experience in managing social media accounts and/or website content creation and management would be an asset