Clinical Research Officer (temporary, until January 2028)

Colonial Group; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 71,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP pension plan

Comprehensive benefits

4 weeks vacation

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Job summary

Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) is seeking a Clinical Research Officer to conduct evidence-based analyses of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and health technologies, and prepare comprehensive reports for advisory committees.

The role requires a graduate degree in a health-related field and 1–2 years of research experience, with strong analytical, writing, and communication skills. A hybrid work model is offered with regular onsite presence.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a health-related discipline with 1–2 years of research experience.
• Experience in critical appraisal of clinical evidence and health technologies is preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel and Outlook; strong report writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct evidence-based assessments on health technologies (pharmaceuticals, devices, diagnostics).
• Prepare reports communicating research findings to customers (clinical reviews, briefing papers, technology overviews).
• Lead or participate in multidisciplinary teams for critical appraisal to meet customer expectations.
• Draft portions of reports or recommendations from expert advisory committees.

Skills

Critical appraisal

Biostatistics

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Oral and written communication

Education

Graduate degree in a health-related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Status: Full time, temporary, until January 2028

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, or Toronto, Ontario (hybrid)

Closing date: October 30, 2026

Salary range: $70,890 to $86,650 per year

Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) is a pan-Canadian health organization. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization with offices in Ottawa and Toronto. Created and funded by Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments, we drive better coordination, alignment, and public value within Canada’s drug, health technology, and health systems landscape. We provide health system leaders in Canada with independent evidence and advice, empowering them to make informed decisions about drugs, health technologies, and broader health system strategies and investments, and we collaborate with national and international partners to enhance our collective impact.

CDA-AMC was named 1 of the National Capital Region’s top employers for the third year in a row. This recognition celebrates our dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment that nurtures growth and innovation. It reaffirms our ongoing efforts to create an outstanding workplace where our employees thrive and feel valued.

Hybrid Work Arrangement

At CDA-AMC, employees participate in a hybrid workspace arrangement that allows for flexibility and enhanced work-life balance. We believe in the positive impact of in-person collaboration and the importance of team building. This position follows a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of 2 days onsite, though this requirement may vary based on business and operational needs.

Primary Focus

We are seeking to fill a current opening on our Health Technologies and Systems team. The primary responsibilities of the Clinical Research Officer are working with the manager to conduct evidence-based analyses on pharmaceuticals, medical devices, procedures, and other health technologies and prepare reports on the findings. The Clinical Research Officer will also present the findings to expert advisory committees and respond to questions and challenges.

What do the daily responsibilities look like?

• work with the manager and conduct evidence-based assessments (e.g., systematic reviews and meta-analyses; optimal use analyses; health technology assessments; formulary, therapeutic, and rapid reviews; and environmental scans) on various health technologies (e.g., pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostic tests)
• prepare reports that communicate the research findings to meet customers’ needs (e.g., clinical reviews, briefing papers, technology overviews, manuscripts)
• work with the manager to lead or participate in a multidisciplinary team to conduct critical appraisal of health technologies to meet customer expectations
• draft portions of the report or submission-based recommendations based on deliberations of the expert advisory committees, as requested
• provide regular updates on project status to the manager and other team members
• present and discuss research findings and methodologies to colleagues, customers, and expert and jurisdictional advisory committees and respond to feedback with support from the manager
• collaborate with external content experts, reviewers, knowledge users, and others to ensure the successful execution of assigned projects
• participate in the development of program processes and research methods development, and other initiatives and special projects within the organization.

Is this the right role for you?

The Clinical Research Officer will likely have:

• a minimum of a graduate degree in a health-related discipline with a minimum of 1 to 2 years of research experience
• experience in critical appraisal of clinical evidence
• an understanding of the principles of evidence-based medicine and study design
• strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated strength in scientific or technical report writing
• interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, advisory committees, and external reviewers and experts
• the ability to review and provide feedback on other’s work and to respond constructively to feedback about your own work
• a working knowledge of biostatistics
• the ability to work independently and to prioritize and effectively manage multiple tasks to meet competing deadlines
• a demonstrated ability to suggest improvements, present opinions, and articulate conclusions
• proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

What will set you apart?

The following qualifications may help you stand out:

• prior experience conducting systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or health technology assessments
• training in epidemiology, health technology assessment, pharmacy, or related disciplines
• training in or experience conducting, reviewing, or critically appraising observational studies
• training in and/or experience with indirect treatment comparison methodologies and critical appraisal
• an understanding of the basic concepts of health economics and the main types of economic analyses
• experience reviewing and critically appraising qualitative researchworking knowledge of general statistical and meta-analysis software (e.g., Review Manager, SAS, R)
• past experience successfully leading multidisciplinary project teams
• an understanding of the health care system in Canada and knowledge of the decision-making processes for drugs and other health technologies at the federal, provincial, and territorial levels
• fluency in French.

What’s in it for you?

At CDA-AMC, you will find:

• a team-focused, supportive, and inclusive work environment
• a competitive compensation package, including participation in a defined benefit pension plan with the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• a comprehensive benefits package for employees and dependents, including health, dental, life, and travel insurance; spending accounts to meet your health care and individual wellness needs; and an employee assistance program
• generous paid time off (including a minimum of 4 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave and life leave, a December holiday closure, your birthday as a paid day off, and other leave options)
• flexible hours and a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance
• opportunities to work with and learn from highly specialized professionals
• personal growth through professional development opportunities, corporate training, and support for continuing education
• a friendly culture in which community engagement is supported and people’s efforts and important milestones are recognized
• the opportunity to make a difference for people living in Canada and effect positive change.

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to help us get to know you, and for you to get to know us. It includes introductory calls, a panel interview, and opportunities to showcase your skills. You’ll also have time to ask questions and explore how you can contribute to the team and organization.

All applications are reviewed by our talent acquisition professionals at CDA-AMC, with hiring decisions made collaboratively with hiring managers. We use an HR system to receive and process applications, along with automated screening questions and sorting tools to support the initial review. Artificial intelligence (AI) features may also be used to assist with interview preparation and candidate assessment. These tools are designed to support our team and do not replace human judgment. If you have any questions about how your data are used, please reach out to us at [e-mail].

At CDA-AMC, our employees share a passion for building the future of the health systems in Canada. We recognize that our employees bring diverse strengths, experiences, and backgrounds. One of our collective strengths is our culture and our commitment to creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

CDA-AMC is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. We highly encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including Indigenous people, people of all places of origin and religions, people with disabilities, people who are neurodivergent, people who are racialized, women, and people from 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

We provide accommodations during all phases of the recruitment process. If you require any accommodations, please let the Talent Acquisition team know when they contact you. We will work with you to meet your needs.

Please note that, as a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to complete a confidential pre-employment background check, including criminal, employment, and education verifications.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

#LI-Hybrid