Research Assistant - Public Engagement

RI-MUHC | Research Institute of the MUHC | #rimuhc; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 51,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation

Personal days and sick days

Public holidays

Insurance plan (modular)

Telemedicine

Pension plan (RREGOP)

Professional development

Parking

Employee assistance program

Job summary

RI-MUHC in Montreal is seeking a Research Assistant (Public Engagement) to advance medical knowledge translation. You will build relationships with communities, patients, and professionals to promote safe medication use and inclusive health communication.

This role supports CADeN, develops nationwide outreach, plans events, and helps organize advisory activities across Canada, with a 35-hour week and a hybrid on-site/remote work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Education required as listed: Master's degree in health, social sciences, or education.
• Advanced French and English literacy required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills essential.
• Ability to work independently or with teams with minimal supervision.
• Experience with project coordination and multiple priorities is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Engage with community organizations, patients, and healthcare professionals representing diverse backgrounds.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a nationwide public awareness campaign on medication appropriateness.
• Coordinate in-person or virtual Network events and advocate for public partners’ needs.
• Identify and engage partners, disseminate information, and organize presentations.
• Support CADeN’s public advisory committee activities and outreach.

Skills

French (advanced)

English (advanced)

Communication

Independent work

Organizational skills

Computer skills (MS Office)

Project coordination

Multitasking

IAP2 certification

Education

Master's Degree

Health/Social Sciences/Education field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Do you want to work for a world-renowned research institute that pushes the boundaries of biomedical science and health research? Right here in Montreal! At the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), you can be part of an organization focused on scientific discovery and innovation in patient-centered medicine. Join us today and make a difference!

Job Description

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE MUHC

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) is a world-renowned biomedical and hospital research centre. Located in Montreal, Quebec, the Institute is the research arm of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. The RI-MUHC is supported in part by the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS).

Position Summary

Department / Research Program: Clinical Practice Assessment Unit

The Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network (CADeN) is a national research organization working to reduce harm by improving the safety and appropriateness of medications. A small, dynamic team with a big mission, our work and achievements span provinces and range from public awareness campaigns to healthcare professional education, from province-wide research trials to influencing national drug policy. To learn more about us : DeprescribingNetwork.ca

As Research Assistant (public Engagement), You Will

• Engage in relationship-building with community organizations, members of the public, patients and healthcare professionals representing diverse abilities, cultures, gender identities, languages, and geographies (45%)
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a nationwide public awareness campaign promoting the appropriate use of medications (45%)
• Participate in the planning and coordination of in-person Network events, taking the lead in advocating for and ensuring the needs and perspectives of public partners and people with diverse lived experiences are included (10%)

General Duties

Under the direction of the immediate supervisor, the incumbent will:

Relationship-building With Public Representatives

• Identify, partner and engage with community organizations, public representatives, and patients with diverse lived experiences, including members of underrepresented and underserved communities (e.g. disseminating information and communications materials to partners and contacts, collaboratively organizing presentations, regularly following up with emails and phone calls).
• Inform the development and rollout of network research and knowledge transfer activities by seeking perspectives and experiences from public partners. This includes collaborating with Indigenous expert(s) to assess the Network’s medication safety toolkit for future adaptation.
• Provide support to increase the reach of public engagement activities led by community partners
• Develop and support CADeN’s public advisory committee (e.g. organize meetings, recruit new members, provide support for committee activities)
• Development, implementation, and evaluation of a public awareness campaign
• Create and evaluate a public awareness campaign on medication appropriateness and deprescribing that engages diverse community organizations and patient partners across the country. Modify campaign based on outcomes of evaluations.
• Roll out a public awareness campaign on medication appropriateness and deprescribing in a variety of languages in collaboration with communities and organizations across the country. This includes the organization of public presentations, the dissemination of an information toolkit (paper and virtual), as well as sharing of online information (website and social media).

Event Planning

• Support the planning of in-person or virtual Network events bringing together researchers, healthcare providers, community organization leaders and/or policy makers (including webinars and stakeholder summits)
• Participate in the development of event agenda, including the development of participatory action activities that align with the international association for public participation (IAP2) guidelines
• Ensure the participation of public representatives at multistakeholder meeting

Standards of performance

• Exhibits excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills
• Excellent ability to work and perform under tight deadlines
• Cultural sensitivity
• Ability to prioritize
• Result-oriented thinking
• Ability to work independently
• Tactful and diplomatic
• Maintains high levels of confidentiality and discretion at all times.

Website of the organization https://rimuhc.ca/en

Education / Experience

Education: Master's Degree

Field of Study: University degree with a background in the field of health, social sciences, or education (or other related fields)

Other Education Considered An Asset For This Position

Work Experience: 1-2 years

Required Skills

• Advanced knowledge of oral and written French is required.
• An advanced knowledge of oral and written English is required, as the position requires regular and complex contact with researchers or international students who are exclusively proficient in English. The position also requires complex writing or in-depth analysis of documents in English related to a research project.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills,
• Ability to work independently or with teams with minimum supervision,
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, attention to detail, ability to manage a complex agenda
• Excellent computer skills with knowledge of a variety of software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Good project coordination skills
• Ability to handle multiple programs and/or priorities simultaneously
• IAP2 (international association for public participation) certification an asset

Additional information

Status: Temporary, full time (35-hour workweek)

Pay Scale: 50,960.00$ - 94,658.20$. Commensurate with education and experience

Work Shift: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Work Site: 2155 Guy Street

This position offers the possibility of a hybrid work arrangement (on-site and remote).

Why work with us?

• 4-week vacation, 5th week after 5 years,
• Bank of 12 paid days (personal days and days for sickness or family obligations),
• 13 paid statutory holidays,
• Modular group insurance plan (including gender affirmation coverage),
• Telemedicine,
• RREGOP (defined benefit government pension plan),
• Training and professional development opportunities,
• Child Care Centres,
• Corporate Discounts (OPUS + Perkopolis),
• Competitive monthly parking rate,
• Employee Assistance Program,
• Recognition Program,
• Flex work options and much more!

https://rimuhc.ca/careers

To learn more about our benefits, please visit http://rimuhc.ca/en/compensation-and-benefits

THIS IS NOT A HOSPITAL POSITION.

Equal Opportunity Employment Program

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity, diversity and inclusion within its community. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates who self-identify as members of racialized groups/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons. We also welcome candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may confidentially contact, [e-mail]