Job Description

Union: Non-union
Number of vacancies: 1
New or Replacement Position: New
Site: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Centre
Department: Research
Reports to: Senior Scientist
Salary Range: $37.85 - $47.31 per hour
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Status: Temporary Full-Time
Closing Date: August 10, 2026

Job Summary

As an integral member of the research team, the RESEARCH ASSOCIATE I works with the study Principle Investigators, and other research team members to ensure the successful completion of designated studies, the responsibilities include: coordinating research study activities and staff/resources to meet established research goals; planning, implementing and coordinating all aspects of the research study data collection, including conducting semi-structured interview administration, data input and analysis and report production; providing functional supervision for research assistant; participating in planning of subsequent projects and with the preparation of grant proposals and papers, as appropriate; performing mid level data analysis, interpretation of results, preparation of materials for review and incorporation into reports, presentations and grant submissions; summarizing data and education of multidisciplinary staff.

Duties

• Plan and execute technology evaluation studies using validated frameworks such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and related implementation science models.
• Design and conduct qualitative research, including semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic observation, with residents, families, front-line staff, and administrators.
• Support quantitative data collection activities including survey administration, basic descriptive and inferential analyses, and mixed-methods integration.
• Apply human factors and user experience principles to evaluate the usability and safety of health technologies in LTC workflows.
• Design, develop, and maintain surveys and data collection instruments in REDCap, including using branching logic, validated scales, and longitudinal tracking forms.
• Create and maintain data dictionaries, codebooks, and standard operating procedures for data collection and management.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and security in compliance with institutional and regulatory standards.
• Prepare and manage Research Ethics Board (REB) applications, amendments, and continuing review submissions.
• Ensure all research activities adhere to the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS-2), applicable privacy legislation (PHIPA, PIPEDA), and institutional policies.
• Support informed consent processes and participant engagement, including with cognitively vulnerable populations.
• Facilitate co-design and engagement sessions with LTC stakeholders, including residents, substitute decision-makers, care staff, and administrators.
• Support the preparation of research summaries, presentations, reports, and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication and knowledge dissemination.
• Contribute to grant reporting, progress reports, and funding renewals.
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and milestones across multiple concurrent research projects.
• Track project progress and flag risks or delays to the PI; maintain project management documentation.
• Liaise with external collaborators, clinical sites, technology vendors, and community partners

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as Health Services Research, Health Informatics, or Health Technology, Human Factors Engineering or Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Social Work, or Allied Health (with a research or implementation science focus), Psychology, Sociology, or Public Health (with qualitative/digital health specialization), or an equivalent combination of a bachelor's degree in a related field plus substantial relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum 2 years of experience conducting qualitative health research (interviews, focus groups, thematic/framework analysis).
• Demonstrated experience building surveys and data collection tools in REDCap.
• Hands-on experience with health technology platforms.
• Familiarity with technology evaluation and implementation science frameworks.
• Experience with project coordination or management in a research setting.
• Experience conducting research in long-term care would be an asset
• Strong qualitative data analysis skills; basic quantitative skills: descriptive statistics, survey analysis (SPSS, R, or similar).
• Understanding of human factors and/or UX research methods
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write for diverse audiences (academic, clinical, public).
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Sensitivity and professionalism when working with older adults, persons living with dementia, and their caregivers.

Additional Information

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. At University Health Network (UHN), artificial intelligence technologies may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of candidates for this position.

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.