Data Access Officer

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University in Hamilton is seeking a Data Access Officer to oversee data and sample access, policies, and procedures within the CLSA platform. You will collaborate with researchers, governance bodies and staff to operationalize access while protecting privacy.

The position requires a Master’s degree in health sciences, 5 years of leadership experience, advanced English and French communication, and proven ability to manage large research projects in a university setting.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in health sciences or a relevant field.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience.
• Experience leading university research projects.
• Advanced written and spoken proficiency in French and English.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead data access activities for the CLSA program.
• Develop and review data access policies and procedures.
• Oversee data access operations and post-approval processes.
• Collaborate with investigators, governance committees and staff.
• Ensure privacy, confidentiality and regulatory compliance.
• Provide guidance to stakeholders on data access issues.
• Train and supervise data access team members.

Skills

Leadership

Policy awareness

Data governance

Communication

Bilingual English/French

Project management

Interpersonal skills

University environment

Education

Master’s degree in health sciences

Tools

MS Office

Zoom

MS Teams

Job description

On-Site Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week.

Masters degree in health sciences or a relevant field of study.

Requires 5 years of relevant experience in a leadership capacity.

Job Description

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

Unit/Project Description:

The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) located within the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact in the Faculty of Health Sciences. The CLSA is a scientific researchprogram and research data platform. A fundamental principle of the CLSA is that data be made availableto the research community and relevant stakeholders (data users) as soon as it is feasible, whileprotecting the privacy, confidentiality, and consent of participants. Ease of access and timely use of thedata are critical to the success of CLSA research platform. Data users who are interested in accessingthe data are invited to submit data access requests using Magnolia, the CLSA's online data accessapplication system. Requests to access the CLSA data are reviewed by the Data and Sample AccessCommittee (DSAC) and the CLSA Executive Committee.

Job Summary:

The Data Access Officer (DAO) is responsible for ensuring data and sample access principles, policies andprocedures are appropriately implemented, monitored, and evaluated. The DAO works closely withresearch investigators, governance committees, and other staff to operationalize aspects of the researchplatforms that enable access by data users.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management

• Lead all activities related to the data access functional pillar of the CLSA.
• Formulate new strategies to support data management and use as the CLSA platform evolves.
• Guide and motivate data access team members and hold team members accountable for their tasks.
• Manage and train data access team members including handling all related activities such as selection and performance management.
• Work closely with CLSA Executive Committee to ensure the CLSA has sufficient resources to supportdata access.
• Provide regular updates to study governance committees and councils, including advice andconsultation on novel or contentious data access issues arising.
• Manage data linkage budgets and reporting to funding agencies.
• Collaborate with scientific leadership to ensure data sharing is in keeping with legal and ethicalframeworks and policy, and to ensure data quality.
• Manage data linkage processes and liaise with provincial data holding organizations.

Data Access Operations

• Oversee data access operations including study-wide data management practices.
• Utilize people, processes, and policies to enable consistent, automated, and secure data access.
• In collaboration with teams responsible for data collection, storage, management and useability,oversee effective data accessibility, and ensure all elements of data access are connected.
• Manage all procedures related to data access applications, as well as all aspects of post-approvalprocedures.
• Lead the development and review of data access related policies and procedures.
• Oversee activities of relevant committees and teams and ensure they function in accordance withany policies, guidelines, and procedures for data and or sample access while protecting the privacyand confidentiality of study participants.
• Collaborate with technical and administrative staff to ensure data access management systems areefficient, up to date and operational.
• Critically evaluate data access related policies and procedures on an ongoing basis to identify andaddress inefficiencies or opportunities for improvement and devised standard operating procedures.
• Provide advice and expertise to stakeholders (internal and external) on access to CLSA data.

Data Management and Security

• Understand CLSA data holdings deeply, including up-to-date data availability, and use understandingto set data access standards, as well as develop and oversee research data management plans.
• Ensure all functions across the CLSA are upholding data governance, adherence with applicableregulations, sensitive information protection, and security measures to protect CLSA data fromunauthorized access and malicious attacks.
• Work with technical and administrative teams to implement safeguards to identify anyvulnerabilities or breaches promptly.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and policy as they related to data security and integrity.
• Oversee data governance framework implementation.
• Establish procedures and guidelines on how to handle data while ensuring compliance withregulatory mandates.
• Collaborate with legal experts to ensure data practices are in alignment with laws.
• Train and guide staff on compliance and regulations along with following the best practices whilemanaging data.
• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of data linkage processes with externaladministrative databases, including liaising with provincial health data centres.

Communication and Outreach

• Enable connections among current and potential data users to help them solve scientific challengesusing CLSA data.
• Promote new data access initiatives that increase revenue or decrease costs for sustainability of theplatform.
• Perform analyses to determine patterns of use and develop outreach strategies.
• In consultation with scientific content experts, develop and maintain documentation that supportsdata use by researchers.
• Represent the study and data platform in outreach activities (e.g., conferences) and works withothers team members to prepare resources to support outreach activities.
• Work with team members to support potential and current data users throughout all phases of thedata access process and ensure website and promotional material are up to date in terms of dataavailability and access processes.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and maintain tools that support dataaccess (e.g., cloud-based data preview portals).
• Maintain and establish new data linkages and relationships with an interdisciplinary cadre ofresearchers and health system decision-makers both nationally and internationally.

Qualifications:

Education

• Master’s degree in health sciences or a relevant field of study.

Experience

• Requires 5 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated leadership capacity.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Previous experience working in university environment leading / managing large research projects.
• Understanding of domestic and international policy landscape related to research data use.
• Advanced written and spoken proficiency in French and English.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to interact with diverse stakeholders in a professional manner.
• Proven organizational skills to manage high volumes of work in a timely manner.
• Ability to learn quickly, adjust and adapt in a dynamic work environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; videoconferencing technology (e.g., Zoom, MS Teams).

Pay Transparency Statement

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.

Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

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