Research Coordinator III (JD00440)
Faculty of Health Sciences | Department of Oncology
Ranked as one of the world’s Top 100 universities, McMaster University is devoted to the cultivation of human potential, realized through our innovative educational programs, cutting-edge research, and the diverse students, faculty, staff and alumni who make up the McMaster family. Dedicated to creating a Brighter World, we recognize that our people are our most valuable resource. Those who join McMaster will find a community of talented individuals who are inspired by the university's commitment to embodying the values of integrity, quality, inclusiveness and teamwork.
McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), is a leader in health research and innovation, providing a dynamic and collaborative environment for researchers and professionals. T he largest Faculty within McMaster, FHS has an unwavering commitment to collaboration, strategic partnerships, accountability, innovation, excellence, integrity and optimism. Our pioneering approaches to education and our reputation for world-class research has consistently placed McMaster University among the Top 40 universities in the world for health and medicine. FHS enjoys close relationships with its academic hospital partners, as well as strong collaborations with researchers in Canada and around the world.
The Department of Oncology in the Faculty of Health Sciences is a research-intensive department comprised of 70 full-time faculty members who lead and collaborate on cutting-edge clinical trials, translational and health services research. Local assets that foster innovation and impact nationally and internationally include the Coordination and Methods Centre for Trials Research and Clinical Evidence, as well as the Escarpment Cancer Research Institute, a joint McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences research institute focused on interdisciplinary research that benefits and improves the lives of people affected by cancer.
The Department of Oncology is seeking an exceptional Research Coordinator to join a dynamic cancer genetics and prevention research program at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the successful candidate will coordinate a portfolio of innovative clinical research studies, including a novel study aimed at reducing contralateral breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, and the ongoing development of a breast cancer Learning Health System. The Research Coordinator will play a central role in study development, ethics submissions, data management, knowledge translation and stakeholder engagement. In addition, the position will provide administrative and operational support to the research program, including maintaining investigator CVs and biosketches, supporting grant and manuscript preparation, coordinating meetings and research activities and facilitating collaborations across clinical, academic and community partners. Through this opportunity, the successful candidate will gain extensive experience in cancer genetics, hereditary cancer syndromes, clinical research operations and the implementation of innovative approaches to cancer prevention within a leading academic cancer centre.
Job Summary
The Research Coordinator (III) is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating protocol procedures and managing the daily operations of a research study ensuring that all aspects of the study protocol are adhered to. Applies specialized knowledge to initiate, implement, coordinate, and manage moderate to large research projects.
Purpose and Key Functions
- Monitor and coordinate multiple research studies and knowledge translation activities in order to assess the need for and to implement strategies to ensure the conduct of quality research, the achievement of expected time lines and deliverables, and the efficient use of human and practical resources.
- Troubleshoot problems at all stages of study development and implementation.
- Participate with a team in the development and authoring of research protocols.
- Lead the internal research study ethical review process.
- Recruit study participants and enlist agencies to refer participants.
- Review referrals and keep track of intakes from various referral sources.
- Develop an implementation plan for research studies.
- Design a promotional strategy and related materials.
- Provide advice on and conduct analyses of complex data sets.
- Interview study participants to gather qualitative and quantitative data.
- Facilitate focus group sessions with study participants.
- Facilitate research learning opportunities.
- Gain cooperation from research partners and team members by acting as the first point of contact and liaising with project collaborators, stakeholders, and staff.
- Coordinate and manage the collection, delivery, entry, verification, analysis, and reporting of data.
- Identify funding opportunities and coordinate the submission of research proposals.
- Oversee the design of databases, data collection forms, error-checking methods, and related programs for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Apply specialized knowledge and scientific principles to review, critically appraise, and interpret published literature.
- Write sections of scientific papers, funding proposals, and abstracts.
- Develop estimates of time and resources for a research project.
- Prepare data management and operations documentation for the project.
- Liaise between the study centre and remote study sites and personnel.
- Ensure appropriate research methodology is applied and all research materials are handled according to established protocols, policies, and procedures.
- Develop and deliver information and training sessions.
- Deliver presentations at meetings, seminars, and conferences as required.
- Keep project participants informed of progress through regular reports and newsletters.
- Implement and maintain the research program budget.
Conduct literature searches.
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Supervision
- Provide lead hand supervision and is responsible for the quality and quantity of work of others.
Ongoing responsibility for supervising up to 9 casual employees.
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Assets
The successful candidate will have/demonstrate the following:
- Proven ability to coordinate multiple concurrent research studies and competing priorities
- Experience tracking project milestones, deliverables, and regulatory requirements
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality and research integrity
Ability to identify and resolve operational challenges independently
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills:
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with investigators, clinicians, research staff, patients, and external collaborators
- Professionalism and discretion when handling confidential patient and research information
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
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Experience in the following areas:
- Clinical, health services, or translational research in an academic and/or hospital environment
- Research Ethics Board submissions, amendments, renewals, and regulatory documentation
- Database development and management, including REDCap or similar research platforms
- Data collection, quality assurance, analysis, and reporting
- Literature reviews, manuscript preparation, abstract development, and grant submissions
- Cancer genetics, hereditary cancer syndromes, oncology, cancer prevention, or population screening research
- Planning and coordinating meetings, educational events, and stakeholder engagement activities
- Providing administrative support to academic faculty, including maintaining curriculum vitae, biosketches, and academic portfolios
Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), virtual meeting platforms, and research management software
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Requirements
Master's degree in a relevant field of study.
Requires 5 yea rs of relevant experience.
Additional information
This position is located in a host hospital or other healthcare site that has an active vaccination mandate in place. Successful applicants will need to comply with these and any other health and safet y measures as part of their appointment.
