Research Assistant I (TPT 0.2 FTE)

The Royal; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent mental health institute in Ottawa is seeking a Research Assistant I to support a program evaluating life goals for patients with bipolar disorder. This part-time role includes conducting interviews, collecting data, and assisting with research tasks under supervision. The ideal candidate should have a relevant undergraduate degree in progress or completed, and experience in clinical research is preferred. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum six months experience in a clinical research environment is preferable.
• Bilingual (French and English) is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide research support under supervision.
• Contact research participants to obtain consent.
• Conduct individual interviews with research participants.
• Prepare materials for presentations and publications.
• Assist in data analysis and management.

Skills

Organising resources

Communication skills

Knowledge of research principles

Statistical software

Detail-oriented

Education

Undergraduate degree in progress or completed

Job description

Position Information

Posting Number: IMHR25-011E

Title: Research Assistant I (TPT 0.2 FTE)

Position Status: Temporary Part-time

Contract End Date: 01/08/2027

FTE: 0.2

Job Schedule: Days

Department: IMHR

Union: Non-union

Site: Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR)

Number of Vacancies: 1

About The Royal

As one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centres, The Royal has a clear purpose: to get more people living with mental illness into recovery faster. This is at the core of everything we do and it is driven by the passion, focus and dedication of our employees. Every day, the work we do transforms the lives of people with mental illness through specialised mental healthcare, advocacy, research and education.

Position Summary

The Research Assistant I (RA) provides research support under the direct supervision of the Supervisor/Principal Investigator. The RA will provide support to complete a formative evaluation of the Life Goals Program for patients with bipolar disorder at the Royal. The evaluation will involve qualitative interviews and focus groups with patients to understand what they found helpful, barriers to benefiting or attending, and solutions for enhancing the program. The study also involves administering self‑report questionnaires and examining preliminary outcomes using administrative data (number of hospital visits).

Major Responsibilities

Research project implementation (75%)

• Abides by established IMHR policies, procedures and objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control requirements for all aspects of field and laboratory operations.
• Contact research participants to obtain consent, schedule assessments or interviews and coordinate research or clinical activities.
• Obtain clinical data on research participants (e.g., collecting, scoring and summarising self‑report questionnaires related to symptom severity, functioning, etc.).
• Conduct individual interviews with research participants and facilitate or co‑facilitate focus groups.
• May be responsible for conducting chart reviews.
• Prepares detailed notes of all interactions with participants and transfers data to the appropriate system.
• Enters and verifies data collected using databases and protocols set up by supervisors.
• Must ensure quality of data through collection and analysis periods.
• Ability to independently organise data.
• Assists in the modification and maintenance of electronic and paper data management systems.
• Assists with qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• May liaise with research collaborators, research team members, Research Ethics Board staff, IMHR grants and finance staff, study sponsors and/or regulatory bodies.
• Assists researchers to ensure compliance with scientific review and research ethics processes; completes relevant application forms and obtains required signatures.

Grant, Manuscript, Abstract and Presentation Preparation (24%)

• Assists in preparation of materials for presentation, publications or grants.
• Organises, edits and drafts correspondence to publishers, grantors, contractors and professional accreditation bodies.
• Assists in drafting grant applications, abstracts, manuscripts, journal presentations, journal articles, letters to the editor, reports and research protocols.
• Ensures that the necessary agency or publisher specifications are met, that all necessary authorisations and signatures have been obtained and that strict deadlines are met.
• Assists researchers with literature searches of various literature databases using established search criteria or by developing appropriate search criteria.
• Maintains a database of bibliographic references using appropriate software.

May manage researchers grant cost centres and coordinate financial activity (1%)

• Records, monitors and signs for financial transactions, as authorised (e.g. participant reimbursement).
• Assists researcher(s) and staff members in developing budgets and budget justifications consistent with grantor/contractor eligibility requirements and IMHR policies; liaises with IMHR Administration as necessary.

Other

• Performs miscellaneous job‑related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in progress or completed.
• Minimum six months experience in a clinical research environment is preferable.
• Bilingual (French and English) is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Skilled in organising resources and establishing priorities.
• Ability to communicate and interact competently and professionally at all levels within a broad and complex clinical research environment.
• Basic knowledge of research principles, methodology and procedures.
• Basic knowledge of ICH Good Clinical Practices and relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines applicable to the clinical research field.
• Ability to follow data collection and management guidelines.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Meticulous, detail‑oriented and highly organised.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including research related and statistical software.

Program Information

• All applicants must provide a recent resume and a cover letter in one file that clearly indicates that they meet the required qualifications.
• The onboarding process will include a police record check for work with vulnerable populations and providing proof of immunisations.
• The Royal is an equal opportunity employer. Upon request, accommodation due to a disability is available throughout the recruitment process.
• IMHR sincerely thanks all applicants for their interest in a career with us; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Salary Range

$17.90 to $22.65 per hour

Additional Information

• All applicants must provide a recent resume that clearly indicates that they meet the required qualifications.
• Please apply by clicking on the Apply button below.
• All new hires will be required to obtain a clear and valid Criminal Record or Vulnerable Sector Records Check as a pre‑condition of employment.
• The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group is committed to equity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage applications from members of equity‑deserving communities and welcome individuals from all backgrounds. Upon request, accommodations due to disability are available throughout the recruitment process.