Project Manager (Clinical Research)

The University Health Network (UHN), where "above all else the needs of patients come first", encompasses Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the Michener Institute of Education. The breadth of research, the complexity of the cases treated, and the magnitude of its educational enterprise has made UHN a national and international resource for patient care, research and education. With a long tradition of ground breaking firsts and a purpose of "Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning", the University Health Network, Canada's largest research teaching hospital, brings together over 16,000 employees, more than 1,200 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing the world.

Union: Non-Union
Site: Toronto General Hospital
Department: Infectious Diseases
Reports to: Principal Investigators
Work Model: On-Site
Grade: M0:05
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: $44.95 - $56.19 per hour (To commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN compensation policy)
Shifts: Day and occasionally evenings
Status: Permanent Full-time
Closing Date: September 19, 2024

Position Summary
PRECISE (Prepare, REact, Collect, Innovate, Share and Engage) is an exciting new multi-component pandemic preparedness project funded by the Canada Biomedical Research Fund that seeks to develop an agile, equitable research and bio-manufacturing response to emerging infectious disease threats. The Clinical Platform of PRECISE will feature a master protocol for longitudinal prospective cohort studies, featuring comprehensive data and bio-specimen collection from individuals with emerging infections, and their close contacts. The study will be implemented across an initial network of 17 adult and pediatric infectious diseases research sites across community and academic hospitals in Ontario.

To help launch this important work, we are seeking a highly organized team player to serve as a Project Manager for the PRECISE Clinical Platform. Key responsibilities for the Project Manager will include: creating the Master Protocol and related study documents, securing and maintaining Research Ethics Board approvals, developing study procedures suitable for this large multi-institutional collaboration, building and supporting a team of research coordinators across different organizations, ensuring meaningful community engagement, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of this complex project. The Manager will work closely with our team of four Co-Principal Investigators, as well as the staff and leadership of other components of PRECISE. The ideal candidate will have exceptional organizational, interpersonal and leadership skills.

Duties:

Project Design and Management

• Assists in the design of a multicenter prospective cohort for studying infectious diseases with a focus on pathogens resulting in pandemics
• Develops, distributes and maintains study protocols, including amendments
• Develop processes for the collection, identification, transfer and storage of diverse bio-specimens
• Designs and ensures informed consent documents and other administrative documents including institutional and sponsor requirements for each participating site
• Assists in the design and curation of study database and clinical research forms
• Creates work plans and timelines to be followed by the research team
• Coordinates and monitors study progress including the tracking of study targets and milestones to help ensure they are met
• Prepares project reports for management, sponsors, or other authorities.

Clinical Research Administration

• Manages clinical research requirements of the prospective cohort including overseeing Research Ethics Board application(s), amendments and renewals from all participating institutions
• Communicates with the Research Ethics Board at participating hospitals as required
• Develops and negotiates Data Sharing Agreements and Material Transfer Agreements (including terms of financing) with outside parties
• Exercises professional judgment in regulatory conduct of research activities, and ensures adherence to local, national, and international regulations on conduct of research studies (PIPA, PIPEDA, ICH/GCP).
• Develop workload templates and budgets for personnel, services, resources where required
• Develops, maintains and/or authorizes budgets, payment schedules, and creation/updates of financial reporting
• Financial management/oversight of the project as a whole
• Procures necessary goods and services for the project/program

Communication

• Hires, trains and manages a team of research coordinators, research assistants and students, in collaboration with team
• Oversees workload of the team
• Plans, manages, and handles communications with stakeholders (including collaborators, funders and community members) related to research projects in collaboration with the Director and Co-Director.
• Coordinates joint and local investigator meetings
• Assists with effective human resource allocation through recruitment, selection, training, and performance management.
• Builds and fosters effective working relationships with study sites, related study personnel and other stakeholders.

• MSc or above in Infectious Disease, Microbiology, Immunology, Cell Biology or a related field or healthcare professional degree
• At least 5 years of experience in clinical research
• Minimum 5 years experience in research project management or equivalent leadership role
• Experience in infectious/communicable disease research preferred
• Current certification in Good Clinical Practice, Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, and Transportation of Dangerous goods
• Superior interpersonal skills and attention to detail
• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills and ability to respond rapidly to change
• Experience with clinical databases such as REDCap and programming with R or Python
• Ability to work well as part of a multidisciplinary team

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

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