July 23, 2025

RESEARCH ASSISTANT II (BAND LEVEL 7)

Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN)

Research Initiatives and Services

(Contractual Position to March 31, 2026; Possibility of Extension)

The University will consider applications from qualified permanent staff who may be interested in a secondment, subject to departmental approval

This position is funded through an external grant

Based on principles articulated in the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) and the Consensus Statement on Public Involvement and Engagement in Data-Intensive Health Research, HDRN Canada will pursue public engagement that is continuous, substantial, and meaningful. The HDRN Canada Public Engagement Working Group (PE WG) has been established to develop and deliver HDRN Canada's Public Engagement Plan, working closely with the HDRN Canada Public Advisory Council (PAC). The term "public engagement" (rather than "patient engagement") is used for HDRN Canada to emphasize that HDRN Canada member organizations' data extends beyond that related to patients interacting with the health system. There are diverse "publics" who are partners with HDRN Canada, including people who are in a state of well-being and do not identify with any particular disease or condition, as well as people who have lived the experience of a health issue and their informal caregivers, including family and friends. HDRN Canada's public engagement will embrace the principles of SPOR's Patient Engagement Framework: inclusiveness, adequate support and flexibility, mutual respect, and co-building or co­design.

DUTIES

Reporting to the HDRN Canada Executive Lead for Public Engagement and working closely with the Chair of the HDRN Canada PAC, the Research Assistant II will help accelerate HDRN Canada's work and progress on public engagement and will share and spread learnings from HDRN Canada's public engagement work across the organization and the broader SPOR network.

Specific duties will include:

• Supporting the implementation and evaluation of HDRN Canada's Public Engagement Plan
• Leading new public engagement projects as identified by HDRN Canada's Executive and HDRN Canada's PAC
• Delivering new public engagement projects in collaboration with federal government agencies, such as the Public Health Agency of Canada
• Co-leading the organization of HDRN Canada's annual Public Forum
• Representing HDRN Canada at national and international conferences
• Contributing to the development of academic and plain-language publications on HDRN Canada's public engagement activities
• Organizing and leading internal and external meetings, including PAC sub-committee meetings

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience (1-3 years) in health policy or health services research; completion of most coursework towards a masters degree in a related field, or a health-related professional qualification, is required; or an equivalent combination of experience and training may be considered. The successful applicant must have the capacity to conduct research that is suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Applicants must demonstrate significant experience in the following areas:

• Direct engagement with patients and members of the public, including experience with remote engagement methods (e.g., deliberations conducted by web meeting)
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Conducting qualitative research
• Developing research strategies
• Understanding the use of administrative data in research
• Knowledge translation and exchange, including the ability to create publications in plain language for non-academic audiences
• Applying principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in research and implementation
• Co-authoring peer-reviewed academic and plain- language publications
• Managing multiple priorities and meeting strict deadlines independently and in a leadership capacity
• Bilingualism in French and English (considered an asset)

SALARY $61,099 - $71,679 per annum (Non-Bargaining)

CLOSING DATE August 7, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. NST

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women; 2SLGBTQIA+ people; persons whose gender identity or gender expression is nonbinary or otherwise not cisgender; Indigenous peoples; racialized people; black persons; and persons with disabilities. Memorial is committed to providing an inclusive learning and work environment.

If there is anything we can do to ensure your full participation during the application process, please contact [email protected] directly and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

The personal information requested in your application is collected under the authority of the Memorial University Act (RSNL 1990 c M-7) for the purpose of identifying and recruiting candidates; assessing applicant qualifications; and maintaining records pertaining to the administration of employment with Memorial University of Newfoundland.

If you are a successful candidate, this information will form part of your permanent employment record and will be used for other activities related to the employment process. This information may be disclosed to government departments and agencies as legally required; and to third party service providers, as necessary to administer programs and activities.

If you have any questions about the collection, use and disclosure of the information on this form, please contact MyHR, Department of Human Resources, at [email protected].

Please be advised that we are unable to provide updates on current competitions.

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