Post Doctoral Fellow Research Options Lab

The Options Collaboratory (www.optionslab.ca) is currently looking for a dynamic team player with excellent statistical analysis, science communication, critical thinking and leadership skills to join our research team as a full-time Post-Doctoral Fellow. Our lab is an interdisciplinary research team dedicated to bringing together community, academic, clinical, and policy partners to find and implement new and better options for the treatment and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We are housed within the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (www.maphealth.ca) and conduct clinical and implementation science research within the Division of Infectious Diseases at St. Michaels Hospital.

A major focus of our work relates to HIV prevention modalities such as HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP). Our methodologies draw on clinical epidemiology, public health and implementation science, and we collaborate closely with researchers in the basic, behavioural, health economic and social sciences. Our diverse team is passionate about the ability of rigorous science to achieve positive social change and improved health outcomes.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to lead work on a project funded by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network entitled, “Filling the Gaps in the PrEP Cascade”. This REB-approved study is currently in the start-up phase and will use a pilot randomized trial design to evaluate an online training intervention for clinicians, aimed at improving the uptake of PrEP among their patients. Working closely with a research coordinator, the fellow will lead the implementation of this study, including preparation of study documents, delivery of the intervention, collection of study data, analysis of results, and knowledge translation activities.

The Post-Doctoral Fellow will further have opportunities to contribute to related work being done in our lab. In particular, the post-doc will contribute to the next phase of a CIHR Team grant entitled 'Scaling up PrEP for HIV Prevention: Optimizing strategies for targeting and delivering PrEP to MSM in British Columbia and Ontario’ (PRIMP). This project has been measuring the ‘PrEP cascade’ among gbMSM across multiple clinical facilities, harnessing quantitative and qualitative data in order to improve PrEP uptake, and is completing final analyses in conjunction with planning for funding renewal.

This is a one-year fellowship, with the potential for renewal for a second year pending performance. The fellowship will provide opportunities for an outstanding candidate to broaden their network of clinical, public health, policy and community-based collaborators working in the Canadian context, while honing skills in clinical trial implementation, data analysis, scientific writing and the design of interventions. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to travel to present at national and international conferences.

ACTIVITIES

• Oversee the launch and implementation of the “Filling the Gaps” pilot trial
• Participate in the training of front-line clinicians in the “Filling the Gaps” intervention on PrEP counseling
• Design and conduct statistical analyses of quantitative data from the PRIMP and Filling the Gaps studies
• Lead the development of scientific abstracts suitable for presentation at national and international meetings, and of manuscripts suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Co-lead the writing, preparation and submission of research grants
• Provide mentorship to junior trainees, community collaborators and other research staff on methodological and logistical aspects of research conduct and reporting
• Conduct community-based knowledge translation and exchange activities with diverse stakeholders
• Collaborate closely with clinicians, research staff and community partners in data collection and knowledge translation activities

Research study development and initiation (55% of work time)

• Leads/manages some parts of or an entire study under the direction of a Supervising Scientist.
• Maintains clear knowledge and understanding of research ethics, regulations and policies while remaining in full compliance with all applicable policies for ethical conduct to ensure adequate quality control.
• Conducts ongoing review of relevant literature to keep up with current knowledge.
• Participates in and leads team/lab meetings and research rounds with other Post Doc Fellows by providing insightful and intellectual discussions and presentations.
• Develops protocols and budget; initiates and leads small to moderate level studies under the direction of a Supervising Scientist following established process/practice.
• Assists Investigator(s) in writing/submitting research grant applications, e.g., by providing study results and interpretation, feedback on the application, assisting with the development of budget and study protocols.
• Writes proposal and application for awards in conjunction with the Principal Investigator to increase funding, enhance CV and the profile of the institution, e.g., CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship and scholarships.
• Develops novel research ideas and designs scientific studies of moderate scope to address knowledge gap or complex problems subject to review, input/amendment, and approval of the Principal Investigator.
• Utilizes research knowledge to contribute to institutional activities, e.g., being a judge for poster competitions, etc.
• May assist and contribute to PI's research.
• May participate in committees.
• May help with academic activities for the research team e.g., journal clubs, seminars, discussions.
• Develops training tools and modules based on the research and conducting training.

Report/manuscript writing and presentations (25% of work time)

• Writes reports and manuscripts for publication as first author, under the guidance/direction and subject to approval by the Principal Investigator while maintaining responsibility for academic output of research studies.
• Receives mentorship from the Principal Investigator to present at local, national and/or international meetings/conferences.
• Networks and collaborates with other Researchers to keep abreast of new developments in research, to exchange information, within scope of authority, etc.
• Selects appropriate techniques/methods to analyze data and provides interpretation of study results.
• May conduct 'Knowledge Translation' - disseminates the results of research to the wider scientific community and to the healthcare community; develops tools and evidence summaries to make research more accessible to lay audiences.

Day to day project and staff guidance tasks (15% of work time)

• May provide day to day guidance to Research staff (Research Coordinators, Research assistants). Provides day to day guidance for activities performed in the research program under the direction and guidance from the Principal Investigator.
• May participate in hiring staff (selection process, interviewing, providing input on job postings etc.).
• Helps students network and connect with other Principal investigators.
• Advise students on course and academic matters and career decisions.
• Guides and mentors students on how to conduct research/analysis (incld. Literature searchers, research techniques, and conceptual training) and how to write and review their work.
• Seeks, develops, and maintains, internal and external relationships for research collaborations and partnerships.
• May teach university subjects to undergraduate and graduate students as a TA or an instructor.

Administrative Duties (5% of work time)

• May coordinate research activities with other departments; study approval from the Research Ethics Board; approval for grant applications, research contracts, hiring from the Office of Research Administration, etc.
• May participate in the administrative onboarding of hired staff and students (e.g. Develops contracts, reviews applications, ensures budget is adequate).
• Prepares research ethics board, animal care committee and all other required submissions relative to initiating and conducting individual studies, under the direction of a supervising Scientist.
• Orders supplies as required and maintains inventory for research studies

Performs cross functional and other duties as assigned and/or requested.

All staff are expected to carry out their assigned duties and responsibilities in a manner which prioritizes patient and employee safety, and confidentiality. Key accountabilities in this regard include:

• Strict compliance with patient/employee confidentiality practices and policies.
• Strict compliance with patient/employee safety practices and standards.
• Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee confidentiality breaches in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Appropriate identification, reporting and response to patient/employee safety risks and incidents/events in accordance with established policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must have completed their PhD within 6 years of their start date OR currently in their last year of completing a recognized Doctoral (PhD or MD) degree. If currently in their last year, Doctoral thesis must have been submitted at the time of the postdoctoral fellowship application, and the thesis must have been successfully defended three (3) or more months before their Postdoctoral Fellow start date.

• Minimum 3 peer-reviewed publications where the candidate contributed to >75% of the writing as first author or co-author (submitted publications acceptable).
• Previous experience in protocol development, grant writing, and making presentations to scientific audiences.
• Familiarity with a variety of study designs, including clinical trials, longitudinal cohorts, and cross-sectional studies.
• Strong verbal communication skills, including engaging with stakeholders with varying levels of research expertise.
• Enthusiasm for self-directed learning.
• Demonstrated commitment and/or interest in working with equity-deserving populations, including sexual and gender minorities.
• Experience in several aspects of research study development, initiation, execution, analysis and interpretation required.
• Experience with the preparation of manuscripts and data presentation required.
• Experience in epidemiology.
• Microsoft Office applications.
• Statistical software (i.e. R, Stata, SAS, SPSS etc.).
• Qualitative data analysis software (Nvivo, Dedoose, Atlas TI etc.) an asset.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team required.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail required.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills required.
• Able to work with people with diverse backgrounds.
• Effective mentoring and coaching skills with the ability to effectively support team members preferred.
• Excellent problem solving, analytical and critical thinking skills required.
• Ability to make decisions, within scope of authority preferred.
• Excellent project management skills required.
• Ability to maintain active involvement in several aspects of research study development required.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and complete a research study in chosen field required.
• Demonstrated ability to design, execute and manage multiple studies preferred.
• Understanding of power dynamics, and structures.
• Sense of curiosity, inquisitiveness.

TO APPLY

Please include the following documents as separate attachments:

• A cover letter outlining why this position is of interest, including relevant training, skills and career goals.
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae.

• A formal writing sample that you have solo authored (eg. essay written for a course, a chapter from a thesis, a scientific article with no co-authors).

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Thank you for applying.