Vice-Chair, Research Ethics Board

Holland-Bloorview-Kids-Rehabilitation-Hospital; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital invites applications for the Vice-Chair of its Research Ethics Board. The role oversees ethical review of pediatric research, supports the REB Chair, and may chair meetings.

This is a unique opportunity to shape responsible research at Canada's largest pediatric rehab hospital. The successful candidate will bring extensive REB experience, a PhD in ethics, and a commitment to safeguarding participants, including children and families, while advancing

Qualifications

• Minimum five years on a Research Ethics Board.
• PhD in ethics, bioethics, or related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of TCPS 2, privacy, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Assist Chair in ethical oversight of human participant research.
• Review delegated ethics submissions and adverse events.
• Lead discussions and facilitate consensus on ethics decisions.
• Chair meetings and mentor REB members.
• Contribute to ethics review process improvements.

Skills

REB experience

Ethics committee leadership

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Education

PhD in ethics or related field

Tools

TCPS 2 familiarity

Regulatory frameworks

Job description

Position: Vice-Chair, Research Ethics Board

Start Date: TBD

Supervisor: Chair, Research Ethics Board

Program: Bloorview Research Institute

Join us in building a world of possibility for children with neurodevelopmental differences and disabilities!

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital and is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. It has ranked amongst Canada’s top 40 research hospitals for more than a decade. Holland Bloorview has won numerous awards including Greater Toronto's Top Employers, Canada's Top Employers for Young People and Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures. We offer an inspiring, inclusive, innovative, and collaborative work environment with competitive compensation and benefit packages and programs that support ongoing learning and professional growth.

The Bloorview Research Institute (BRI), embedded within the hospital, is the only university-affiliated research institute in Canada dedicated to pediatric disability, and one of very few around the world. BRI’s vision is to be a global leader in transformative, equity-driven research dedicated to enabling personalized versions of a good life across the lifespan, for all individuals with childhood onset disabilities, acquired injuries and developmental differences, their families and communities.

Description:

Holland Bloorview is seeking an experienced research ethics professional to serve as Vice-Chair of its Research Ethics Board (REB).

The REB is an independent committee responsible for the ethical review and oversight of research involving human participants conducted under the auspices of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the Bloorview Research Institute. The REB has the authority to approve, require modifications to, suspend, or terminate research involving human participants.

Working in partnership with the REB Chair, the Vice-Chair serves as a senior research ethics subject matter expert, providing independent ethical review, consultation, and guidance on complex research ethics issues. The Vice-Chair plays a key role in ensuring that research involving human participants is conducted in accordance with applicable ethical principles, regulatory requirements, and institutional policies.

The Vice-Chair may exercise delegated authority on behalf of the Chair, including conducting delegated reviews, rendering ethics decisions within delegated authority, and chairing REB meetings when required.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the ethical conduct of research that directly impacts children, youth, and families. The successful candidate will join a highly respected academic health sciences centre and play a critical role in supporting safe, ethical, and innovative research while helping to shape the future of research ethics oversight in pediatric disability research.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Chair in the ethical oversight of human participant research conducted under the authority of Holland Bloorview
• Conduct delegated ethics reviews of new studies, amendments, continuing review applications, adverse events, protocol deviations, and other submissions as assigned
• Review and assess complex research protocols involving clinical, rehabilitation, qualitative, quantitative, observational, community-based, mixed-methods, and emerging research methodologies
• Provide expert guidance on ethical issues relating to informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, participant welfare, risk-benefit assessment, data sharing, vulnerable populations, and emerging technologies
• Participate as a voting member of the REB and contribute to Board discussions and decision-making
• Chair REB meetings and perform Chair responsibilities when delegated or in the Chair's absence
• Participate in researcher consultations and dispute-resolution discussions related to ethics review decisions
• Support the Chair in maintaining a high-performing REB with the expertise necessary to review evolving areas of research
• Anticipate emerging ethical issues arising from developments such as precision health, artificial intelligence, digital health, advanced rehabilitation technologies, and novel data-sharing approaches
• Provide mentorship, education, and guidance to REB members and Research Ethics Office staff
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of ethics review processes, reviewer resources, guidance materials, and educational initiatives
• Represent Holland Bloorview in provincial and regional research ethics collaborations and networks, including participation in TAHSN and other relevant forums as required

Qualifications:

• Significant experience serving on a Research Ethics Board, typically with a minimum of five years of active involvement in the ethical review of research involving human participants
• PhD in ethics, bioethics, or a related discipline
• Advanced knowledge of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2)
• Familiarity with applicable Health Canada regulations, ICH-GCP requirements, privacy legislation, and research governance frameworks
• Strong understanding of research design and methodology sufficient to assess the ethical implications of a broad range of research studies
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex ethical issues and apply ethical principles in situations where competing considerations may exist
• Experience reviewing research involving vulnerable populations, substitute decision‑making, privacy and confidentiality protections, and emerging research methodologies
• Experience chairing committees, leading discussions, and facilitating consensus among individuals with diverse expertise and perspectives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear and well-reasoned ethics decisions and recommendations
• Demonstrated personal and professional integrity, objectivity, and sound judgment

About the Organization

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital creates a world of possibility by supporting children and youth with disabilities, medical complexity, illness and injury. All of our work is guided by our strategic plan, Transformative Care, Inclusive World: Holland Bloorview 2030. The plan: https://strategicplan.hollandbloorview.ca/
To get a glimpse as to who Holland Bloorview is, we invite you to watch the Together We Dare. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3c-FszREUk
Holland Bloorview is committed to fostering a climate of inclusion, diversity, equity accessibility, and anti-racism (IDEAA). This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we seek to create an inclusive culture for our clients, families, research scientists, staff, participants, trainees, volunteers, trustees, and partners. To help in our journey towards fully reflecting the communities we partner with, we welcome and encourage applications from Black individuals and other racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQI2SA+ persons, and others who may contribute to further diversification of ideas within our community. Holland Bloorview is committed to fair assessment of a candidate's abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience, including non-traditional career paths.
In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting [e-mail] or 416-425-6220.