Research Counsel

Sinai Health System; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in Toronto is seeking a Research Counsel to review and negotiate industry-sponsored research agreements. The role is essential for ensuring compliance with legislation and ethics policies. Ideal candidates should hold a law degree, possess strong analytical and negotiation skills, and have experience in health law. This position offers a full-time schedule within a collaborative team at an esteemed academic health center.

Qualifications

• At least four years' experience and ability to practice law in Ontario.
• Experience in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating clinical study agreements.
• Knowledge of contract, health policy and privacy law.

Responsibilities

• Review and negotiate various agreements for industry-sponsored research.
• Evaluate expertise required for collaborative tasks across departments.
• Manage over 100 contracts ensuring compliance with policies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Time management skills

Education

University degree, LL.B. or J.D.

Job description

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Job Type

Regular Full Time

1

Vacancy Type

New/Replacement Vacancy

Organizational Department

Employee Group

Non Union

Location

Travel Requirement

Hours (subject to change)

37.5 hours per week.

Salary Scale

CAD $60.53 - $75.69 per hour (2025 SH09)

Job Description

Sinai Health is a leading academic health science centre and a trailblazer for integrated care across the health continuum. Our fusion of science, innovation, care and learninghasearned us international, national and provincial leadership for unique programs and compassionate care. Since 2015, Sinai Health has delivered excellent care in hospital, community and home.

Comprised of Mount Sinai Hospital, Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and our system partner Circle of Care, Sinai Health discovers and translates scientific breakthroughs, pushes boundaries for health solutions, and educates future clinical and scientific leaders.

The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, a University of Toronto affiliated research centre, is one of the world's leading centres in biomedical research. With ground-breaking discoveries in research areas such as diabetes, genetic disorders, cancer and women’s and infants’ health, the Institute is committed to excellence in health research and the training of young investigators. Strong partnerships with the clinical programs of Mount Sinai Hospital ensure that scientific knowledge is used to promote human health. Your significant contributions will assist in maintaining our momentum in advancing our research.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Working as part of a team, the Research Counsel is responsible for the review and negotiation of a variety of forms of agreement covering industry-sponsored research. Industry-sponsored clinical study agreements and associated forms of agreement are a core responsibility of this position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Working under the direct supervision and reporting to the Director, Technology Transfer & Industry Liaison and in consultation with Sinai Health System General Counsel and Legal Counsel, Privacy and Health, Grants Administration, Procurement, REB, fellow Research Counsel, researchers, clinicians, research coordinators, and other advisors;
• Evaluates and generates an assessment as to the expertise required to complete tasks that require the collaboration and input of other departments (e.g. REB, Privacy, Finance, Grants & Administration, Business Development, Privacy, Legal);
• Reviewing, draft and negotiation of agreements for high risk and complex clinical research studies covering industry-sponsored clinical studies, multi-site clinical consortium agreements, confidential disclosure agreements, data sharing agreements, clinical laboratory studies, research services and related forms of agreements;
• Draft agreement templates de novo and responsible for the maintenance of precedent templates and the determination of their applicability to a contract request submission;
• Expertise to manage 100+ contracts within a given time period to ensure compliance with legislation, nationally recognized research ethics policies and internal policies and procedures in a timely and efficient manner;
• Establish partnerships with internal business departments (e.g. Business Development Team) to understand their legal needs and risk exposure make recommendations to ensure management of risk in contractual arrangements to the Hospital and Research Institute;
• Contribute to internal risk management and compliance initiatives by giving direction to senior management as to where high risk activities require attention and provide general legal advice to other members of the office team, particularly with respect to liability issues, privacy laws and health policy;
• Be the primary liaison and respond to inquiries from external stakeholders regarding agreements, including prescribed entities, family health teams, and national and international pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations hospitals, universities and external legal counsel;
• Apply a working knowledge of relevant privacy and data management requirements and best-practices and communicate updates on legislative changes and clinical research practices to ensure compliance;
• Take a leadership role in the health law or hospital legal community by leading the quarterly CRAWG meetings of the TAHSN hospitals;
• Be a knowledge reference for clinical research subject matter affecting the TAHSN hospitals through membership in professional working groups (CAHO, CRAWG, TAHSN legal retreat);
• Engage with new principal investigators and research coordinators through introductory meetings to inform and educate new personnel of the purpose of the OTTIL and contract review process;
• Represent the OTTIL at committee meetings including quarterly Clinical Investigator Meetings, to provide knowledge guidance and support to senior clinical research management on best practices and issues affecting the clinical research community;
• Contribute to the maintenance of the contract database and report on the status of contract review and any issues associated with timely drafting and completion

Job Requirements

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree, LL.B. or J.D., with at least four (4) years’ experience and the ability to practice law in the province of Ontario and in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada;
• A well-organized, self-starter in possession of excellent analytical and problem-solving skills who is able to work with very little supervision
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills and easily able to interact and work cooperatively with colleagues as part of a team
• Experience in reviewing, drafting and negotiating a variety of clinical study agreements;
• Excels in ability to critically read, analyze and write a variety of legal and technical documents including a familiarity with intellectual property law and other forms of industry sponsored research agreements and health law matters including privacy;
• Knowledge of contract, health policy and privacy law, particularly in the context of an academic biomedical and clinical research environment and Canadian Hospitals and institutions;
• Demonstrated satisfactory work performance and attendance record;
• Excellent planning and time management skills to be able to work on multiple agreements in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines to meet the expectations of principle investigators on project goals;
• Demonstrated commitment to career development through a keen interest in learning new areas of law and policy by completing continual education accreditation requirements;
• Displays highly effective professional working relationships developed within the TAHSN community and internally within the corporation;
• Evident industry experience gained from working with hospitals, the Research Institute and their networks

Apply through: Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute posting here

All applications must be submitted by no later than 4:00pm of the posting deadline date. Sinai Health does not utilize artificial intelligence (AI) as part of its recruitment and selection practices. All candidates are reviewed by members of our recruitment team. Any automated or AI-enabled features applied to this posting by third-party job boards are managed independently and are not controlled by Sinai Health.

Employment at Sinai Health is conditional upon the verification of credentials, completion of a health review, and demonstrating proof of immunity and vaccination status of vaccine-preventable diseases. All employees and affiliates will follow safe work practices and comply with health and safety policies, procedures and training. If you believe you are one of the very few people who may require an exemption from vaccination, supporting medical information must be submitted to our Occupational Health department, who will review and assess.

Sinai Health is comprised of Mount Sinai Hospital, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute and our system partner Circle of Care. We deliver excellent care in hospital, community and home, focusing on the comprehensive needs of people. Sinai Health discovers and translates scientific breakthroughs, pushes boundaries for health solutions and educates future clinical and scientific leaders. Clinical areas of specialization include rehabilitation and complex continuing care, surgery and oncology, urgent and critical care, and women’s and infants’ health. The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute ranks among the top ten biomedical research institutes in the world. Sinai Health is a full affiliate of the University of Toronto.

As an equal opportunity employer who understands that diversity enriches our community and culture, we invite applications from all qualified candidates including Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, disabled people/people with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. If you require accommodation(s) due to disability at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact 416-586-4800 ext. 7050, or email [e-mail] .