Research Scientist, Health Research Data Platform-Saskatchewan (HRDP-SK)

The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) vision is working together for a healthier Saskatchewan through patient-oriented research (POR). POR brings patients and those around them (family, friends, and community) together as partners in research, along with health professionals, administrators, and researchers. SCPOR is a group of partners that includes patients, academic institutions, government agencies, and health organizations. Together, SCPOR will work on the Learning Health System (LHS), with the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of patients and families and ensuring healthcare services are helping people. Patient Partners bring their knowledge and lived experiences to this research. SCPOR’s most significant impact will be to support the health system in its approaches to collecting and learning from health-related information to achieve system improvement.

Funded by the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) and Health Data Research Network (HDRN) Canada, the Health Research Data Platform-Saskatchewan (HRDP-SK) is the first platform in Saskatchewan to integrate health data from multiple agencies. The platform provides researchers timely access to health data and supports them to conduct research which informs health and health care.

Position Purpose: Under the supervision and direction of the HRDP-SK Director, the successful incumbent will oversee daily tasks performed by the HRDP-SK teams as well as provide mentorship/coaching to employees, researchers, and students/trainees.

Nature of Work: This position contributes to the creation and oversight of services that support researchers and data analysts to access data via HRDP-SK. The position is expected to mentor staff and will need to be aware of the resources of the unit to make recommendations to the Director for assignment of resources and skills needed to ensure success of current projects. The position may be asked to lead research projects, including large, complex research projects, to achieve objectives in accordance with the organization’s strategic and operational objectives as determined and delegated by SCPOR/HRDP-SK’s leadership team. The incumbent will not have the opportunity to drive their own research agenda or conduct independent research but may work on research projects in alignment with HRDP-SK priorities.

This position exercises collaborative decision-making: establishes and maintains the level of professional relationships that support exceptional collaboration and problem-solving; and builds working relationships with various stakeholders within and external to the university.

Accountabilities:

• Provide advanced level coaching to HRDP-SK researchers and users as they lead the conception, design, conduct, and reporting of research projects.
• Participate in HRDP-SK data access request and approvals process.
• Develop content and training programming to support the learning and development of HRDP-SK staff and users.
• Collaborate with HRDP-SK partners to advance capacity of data users in Saskatchewan.
• Collaborate with HRDP-SK and HDRN colleagues to advance improvements to data dictionaries, concept dictionaries, and phenotype libraries.
• Support the use of the HDRN Algorithms and Harmonization Inventory and similar tools.
• Participate in HRDP-SK Data Quality & Standardization committee thereby advancing continuous improvement in data quality, validity, completeness, and accuracy.
• Provide researchers and other relevant staff or student/trainees with structured and unstructured coaching, mentorship, and training to improve research skills and abilities that strengthen research done using HRDP-SK.
• Monitor the health research environment for best practices in data-driven research and identify gaps to inform learning and development requirements for HRDP-SK users and staff.
• Develop and maintain effective external relationships with relevant researchers, as well as with research-related working groups and committees, to strengthen HRDP-SK’s research partnerships that support organizational strategic and operational objectives.
• Develop and maintain a current and expert knowledge of data access centers in Canadian and international research environments. Utilize this knowledge to drive advancement and growth of the HRDP-SK in alignment with national and international best practices. Participate in the development of funding proposals to secure sustainable funding for HRDP-SK.
• Develop and improve HRDP-SK processes to ensure data access is conducted appropriately, efficiently, and effectively.

Standards: Technical/professional:

• Consistently applies advanced proficiency in mixed methods study design (e.g., quantitative, qualitative) to develop and implement projects aligned with organizational research priorities.
• Demonstrates basic proficiency with SAS programming, R, or other similar data analysis software to support coaching to HRDP-SK users.
• HRDP-SK Data Access Requests and coaching are consistently completed on target and within the parameters set by the Director.
• Able to navigate change and develop contingencies when roadblocks arise.
• Ensures research methods and plans are documented in project charter and research process is implemented effectively in HRDP-SK prior to trustee approval.
• Regular structured and unstructured coaching, mentoring, and training occurs for HRDP-SK staff and users.
• Takes necessary actions to ensure organizational policies as well as contractual and legislated obligations are met within areas of responsibility (e.g., Personnel policies, privacy legislation, data sharing agreements).
• Exercises considerable care to uphold security of sensitive information.

Qualifications:

Education:

• A PhD in the health or social sciences, or another relevant discipline with 3 years of applied data-driven research experience in Saskatchewan with specific experience in administrative (health or other public sector) and/or clinical databases.

OR

• A Master’s degree in health or social sciences, or another relevant discipline.

Experience: 5 years of applied data-driven research experience in Saskatchewan, with specific experience in administrative (health or other public sector) and/or clinical databases.

Skills:

• Demonstrated strong scholarly writing skills and excellent communications skills;
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and train;
• Proven interpersonal skills coupled with the ability to work both within a team and independently;
• Strong organizational and leadership skills;
• Effective time management skills;
• Consistent resourcefulness and self-direction; ability to work independently and prioritize work effectively in accordance with the goals and objectives of HRDP-SK;
• Flexibility to respond to fluctuating workload demands while maintaining productivity and quality;
• Ability to maintain composure and focus when working to deadlines;
• Must provide and maintain a satisfactory criminal record check.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Department: Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR)

Status: Term Until March 31, 2026 with the possibility of extension.

Employment Group: ASPA

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $85,555.00 - 142,503.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3

Posted Date: 12/5/2024

Closing Date: 1/16/2025 at 6:00 pm CST

Number of Openings: 1

Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines.

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Yes

Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable

Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable

Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.