The Centre for Health and Community Research (CHCR) at the University of Prince Edward Island invites applications for the position of Senior Research Scientist. The CHCR is a collaborative research centre that brings together researchers and stakeholders from UPEI as well as universities, health authorities, government bodies across Canada.  The CHCR provides expert advice to faculty members and 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 which offers secure access to de-identified administrative health and social data for research and planning purposes. Reporting to the Director of the CHCR and SIDR, the Senior Research Scientist will provide scientific leadership to all aspects of research supported by the CHCR and SIDR. They will also be responsible for management of SIDR and its staff, and work closely with the Director to oversee its operations and nation-wide collaborations through initiatives such as the Maritime SPOR Support Unit and Health Data Research Network Canada.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

Provision of scientific expertise to internal and external research initiatives

• Provide expert scientific advice to faculty members, government collaborators, and community organizations on projects under the CHCR and SIDR’s mandate
• Serve as a principal investigator for internal SIDR projects or external projects which require this service. Oversee and participate in the scoping, planning, design, development, execution and management of research and evaluation projects using SIDR
• Participate in relevant working groups within the regional Maritime SPOR Support Unit, the SPOR Canadian Data Platform, and Health Data Research Network Canada

SIDR Management

• Independently supervise and provide scientific leadership to all SIDR staff.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of SIDR
• In collaboration with the SIDR Director, ensure reporting requirements are met for funders and other stakeholders
• Assist the SIDR Director with creation of SIDR operating budgets and forecasting, and major project budgets and procurement processes
• Assist the SIDR Director in organizational planning
• In collaboration with the Director, work with external partners (e.g., data providers, community organizations, government organizations, private sector organizations) to develop partnerships, business models, and add to SIDR’s data holdings
• Develop and implement performance measurement and evaluation tools to monitor key indicators (e.g., efficiency of services offered, client satisfaction).
• Coordinate information sharing and training opportunities for UPEI researchers and/or other potential SIDR users related to SIDR services

Protection of Privacy and Compliance

• Work closely with SIDR staff, UPEI departments, and privacy professionals to ensure administrative, physical, and technical safeguards are in place, and that SIDR is compliant with all relevant policies, procedures, business processes, legislation, and contractual agreements which enable it to serve as a custodian and research data repository under the Health Information Act, and protect the confidentiality of personal health information in the custody of SIDR and the privacy of the individual who is the subject of that information
• In collaboration with the SIDR Director, contribute to the development of national standards and best practices related to data access
• Serve as Chair of the SIDR Data Release Committee

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicants should have a doctoral degree, with graduate level coursework in research methods and data analysis.  Strong preference for epidemiology, public health, or an applied human health or health services research field with a strong data component
• Significant, in-depth experience (minimum 7 years) in planning, leading, and executing research and program evaluation projects in a related field (e.g., human epidemiology, applied health/health services research, public health) and strong knowledge of research methods and program evaluation 
• Significant experience (minimum 7 years) in collaborating and engaging with various stakeholders for research and evaluation projects and initiatives (e.g., academic researchers, federal and provincial governments, community-based organizations, health authorities and providers, national organizations)
• Demonstrated success in developing and establishing new research projects and writing research grant proposals
• Strong writing skills as evidenced by a history of publications of various formats (please provide a list with your application)
• Experience in the development of data sharing agreements and other research contracts and agreements
• Experience and training in the use and analysis of administrative health data for research
• Experience in staff supervision in a research setting
• Relevant project management experience
• Knowledge of and 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 would be considered an asset
• Experience in records information management would be a strong asset.
• Experience in the development or operation of an administrative health data platform, including application of relevant legislation, policies, procedures, agreements, etc. would be a strong asset
• Experience working with project budgets (particularly in an academic setting) would be an asset