Job Number: JR105853

Job Title: Lead, Practice Based Research and Innovation - SHNRI (All Sites)

Job Category: Professional

Hospital Location: General Site

Job Type: Permanent, Full time



Number of Positions: 1

Union:

Minimum - Maximum Hourly Rate: $66.583 - $77.188

Hours: Days

Job Description:

The Lead, Practice Based Research and Innovation is responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining a Practice Based Research and Innovation (PBRI) strategy that integrates Quality Improvement Research (QIR) and patient engagement into SHNRI's research ecosystem and care delivery at Scarborough Health Network. Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) provide critical infrastructure for translating research findings into clinical practice and fostering research engagement among clinicians. PBRNs bridge the gap between academic research and community-based care, enabling clinicians to pose research questions of importance to quality clinical care while supporting knowledge translation. This role provides expert leadership in advancing practice-based scholarship, quality improvement research, and evidence-based innovation across nursing and allied health professions. Quality improvement has become a central aspect of healthcare, with the overall aim to enhance patient care in a structured and systematic manner. The Lead will serve as a resource and mentor for clinicians and staff undertaking research, quality improvement, and scholarly work. Research mentorship has been demonstrated to improve research productivity, including increases in publications and grant writing, research career development, and improved leadership skills and knowledge. This position directly supports SHNRI's mission to create knowledge that addresses health challenges in Scarborough's diverse community, aligns with SHNRI’s population health and equity and community focused research strategic pillars, and SHN's strategic priorities in People and Culture, Population Health and Equity, Research and Education, and Quality and Patient Safety.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of SHNRI’s Practice‑Based Research and Innovation (PBRI) strategy, aligned with SHNRI’s three‑pillar strategic plan and SHN organizational priorities
• Advance Practice‑Based Research Networks (PBRNs) to support translational research that improves patient care across clinical settings
• Embed Quality Improvement Research (QIR) into clinical practice by standardizing review processes, supporting co‑design, and aligning QI initiatives with research strategy
• Partner with Quality & Safety teams to integrate QI methodologies into nursing‑led and allied health research initiatives
• Provide coaching, education, and mentorship to nursing, allied health, and clinical staff in research design, methodology, QIR, knowledge translation, and scholarly writing
• Build research capacity through workshops, design‑thinking programs, and innovation initiatives to foster practice‑based scholarship and leadership development
• Establish and maintain academic partnerships to support collaborative research, student engagement, and knowledge exchange
• Represent nursing and allied health research interests on interprofessional committees, research ethics boards, and external academic forums
• Lead practice‑based research initiatives across the hospital network
• Track, evaluate, and report PBRI research activities, outcomes, funding, and publications aligned with SHNRI performance metrics
• Promote dissemination of research findings through peer‑reviewed publications, conferences, and internal knowledge‑sharing platforms

Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent in Nursing, Quality Improvement, Implementation Science, Health Systems Research, Public Health, or a related field
• Current registration in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) or the appropriate regulatory college for the discipline
• Minimum 4–5 years of leadership, advanced practice, or formal training experience in a research, quality improvement, or academic role within a healthcare setting
• Demonstrated experience designing, leading, and evaluating research and/or quality improvement initiatives
• Proven knowledge and application of ethical research practices, grant writing, and academic publishing
• Strong expertise in research design and methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed‑methods, and implementation science approaches
• Advanced knowledge of quality improvement frameworks and methodologies (e.g., PDSA, Lean, Six Sigma, Model for Improvement)
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and securing competitive funding from peer‑reviewed and non‑peer‑reviewed sources (e.g., CIHR, provincial agencies, industry‑sponsored investigator‑initiated grants)
• Superb experience in prioritization, investment decisions, operating model design, and risk mitigation, and able to advise on strategic trade-offs.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the capacity to effectively communicate complex information
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products
• Advanced Project management and problem-solving skills
• Exceptional organizational, planning, and time management skills

This opportunity is posted to support the recruitment of an existing vacant position.