Molecular Clinical Scientist, Newborn Screening Ontario – Temporary (until March 2028)

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario; Ottawa; Remote; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Part time

Job summary

CHEO is seeking a temporary casual Clinical Scientist in the Molecular Laboratory within Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO). The role involves interpreting and reporting molecular data and collaborating with clinical content specialists to ensure high-quality newborn screening.

The position is remote and supports NSO’s screening and diagnostic activities. Ideal candidates have a PhD or MD with certification eligibility in molecular genetics, strong data analytics skills, and excellent communication

Qualifications

• PhD (or MD) with certification eligibility in Molecular Genetics or Genetic and Genomic Diagnostics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pediatric genetic laboratory screening and diagnosis.
• Excellent data analytic skills and ability to interpret custom reports and scripts.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Criminal Record Check (Level 1) required.
• Bilingualism (French/English) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and report data from the molecular laboratory of NSO.
• Collaborate with laboratory leadership to ensure workflow efficiency.
• Evaluate variants identified in testing and newborn screening.
• Draft diagnostic and screening reports with clinical content specialists.
• Identify errors or areas for workflow improvement in molecular diagnostics.
• Maintain flow of diagnostic and screening volumes to prevent delays.
• Participate in quality assurance and proficiency activities.
• Review newborn screens including assay performance and follow-up practices.

Skills

Data analytics

Communication

Programming

Criminal record check

Education

PhD in Genetics

MD (optional)

Tools

Statistical software

R

SAS

Job description

Compensation Pay Range: $0.00-$0.00 Job Description: Please Note: If you are a current CHEO employee with access to Workday, please apply to this posting via the Workday application as an internal applicant using the Jobs Hub. To successfully apply for this position, please submit your application by 11:59 pm the day before the advertised closing date in the posting to ensure your application is received. Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land. CHEO is one of the few stand‑alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system. Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world‑class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health‑care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

POSITION SUMMARY

CHEO hosts several provincial and federal programs including Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO). NSO provides a comprehensive program of analysis, follow‑up, education, research and development, ensuring that every newborn receives the highest quality screening and care. At NSO, we are leaders in screening through research, development, education and innovation. The multidisciplinary team at NSO comprises dedicated clinical, laboratory, management, and administrative staff. We are seeking a temporary casual clinical scientist within the molecular laboratory. The position is remote.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The core responsibilities of the Clinical Scientist - Molecular are the interpretation and reporting of data from the molecular laboratory of Newborn Screening Ontario. This includes:

• Collaboration with molecular laboratory leadership to foster a positive and productive working environment.
• Evaluation of variants identified on molecular diagnostic testing and/or through newborn screening.
• Review and/or draft diagnostic and screening reports in collaboration with clinical content specialists.
• Working with other clinical scientists and the Laboratory Director to identify errors, problems, or areas for workflow improvement or enhancement in the molecular diagnostic or screening pathways.
• Maintaining the flow of diagnostic and screening volumes to prevent service delays.
• Participating in quality assurance and proficiency activities.
• Participate in periodic review of newborn screens including assay performance, disorder logic, and follow‑up/diagnostic practices.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• A PhD (or MD) scientist with certification or eligibility for certification by the Canadian College of Medical Genetics (or equivalent) in Molecular Genetics or Genetic and Genomic Diagnostics (essential)
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in the genetic laboratory screening and diagnosis of pediatric disease (essential)
• Excellent data analytic skills, including experience in statistical analyses and programming and interpreting custom reports, scripts, and algorithms (preferred)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (essential)
• Criminal Record Check (Level 1) (essential)
• Bilingualism (French/English) (preferred)

*Timeline may be extended or shortened based on operational needs. Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre‑screening and evaluation process. This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested. Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. We thank all those who apply, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

CHEO is much more than a hospital. Our commitment to outstanding care and continued development impacts every part of a child and youth’s health and well-being. We play a crucial role in building a healthy future for our community. Working at CHEO means a rewarding career. A career at CHEO provides a: competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package unique culture that fosters dedication, communication, respect and teamwork place where your opinions will be respected, contributions valued and your initiatives rewarded family‑friendly environment that supports you and your own family, as well as the children, youth and families we serve chance to grow — personally and professionally — through our comprehensive orientation program and on‑the‑job learning support for continued education and learning potential for a relocation reimbursement benefit truly unique work environment

CHEO continues to be selected by local, national and international competitions showcasing employers who lead their sector in offering exceptional workplaces for their employees. For the eleventh time, CHEO has been recognized as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers. We are among a select group of organizations at the forefront of their respective industries who offer exceptional places to work. We were given this honour based on our outstanding: workplace atmosphere benefits employee communications training and skills development community involvement