Research Associate - Health Equity and Community Wellbeing

Department: Faculty of Community Services:CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing
Position supervisor: Karen Soldatic, Canada Excellence Research Chair
Contract length: 2 years from start date, with potential for 3rd year renewal
Hours of work per week: 29
Position type:  Research Associate
Rate of pay: $54,000 - $64,000 (prorated based on 29 hour work week) + Benefits (see section on Perks)
Location: Toronto, Canada (please note there is no remote possibility for this position)

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. To learn more about our work environment, colleagues, leaders, students and innovative educational environment, visit www.torontomu.ca , check out @TorontoMet (external link)  , @TorontoMetHR (external link)  and @ECItorontomet (external link)  on Twitter, and visit our LinkedIn company page (external link)  .

The Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing (CERC) program, led by Dr. Karen Soldatic, is a transformative research initiative that employs an engaged community partnership approach to expand our understanding, practice and delivery of health outcomes for all members of our communities. Collaborating closely with a network of healthcare institutions, service providers and civil society organisations, the CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing aims for a paradigm shift – one that challenges a siloed, expert-driven approach to health and well-being and moves, instead, towards a community-engaged, preventative model of wellbeing. Uniquely applying a critical disability lens, the research program aims to not only reduce health disparities that are inextricable from their social contexts but to embed community knowledge into health-care institutions, systems and models of delivery.

Learn more about the CERC here: 

https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/

The CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at Toronto Metropolitan University invites applications of interest for a Research Associate position. 

We are seeking a passionate and skilled social epidemiologist to co-lead CERC’s growing quantitative health equity and population health research program. This position will be a core member of the CERC Research team, working closely with the CERC Chair, Professor Karen Soldatić, our affiliate university-based researchers, and our community partner organizations internationally and across Canada.

Approximate percentages of time spent on each activity (averaged over 1 month) are provided as an estimate only, but this may develop over time.

• (30%) – Co-lead the development of quantitative grant and contract proposals, study protocols, data collection tools, and analysis plans that centre community-based research principles and uphold relevant theories and frameworks (e.g., social determinants of health, intersectionality, critical disability studies, minority stress theory, social ecology, health communication theories, syndemics, gender-based violence, accessible health systems and digital health transformations)
• (30%) – Develop, manage, and follow processes for research staff, data analysts, specialist consultants, community partners, global advisors, EDI research innovators and graduate trainees to implement analysis plans from conceptualization to completion, including the review of data cleaning, linkage, and analysis code and outputs for technical accuracy.
• (25%) – Write and review research outputs (e.g., reports, manuscripts, systematic reviews, Q1 publication outputs), develop and maintain data visualization dashboards, and produce engaged KMT outputs for general public consumption in line with community wellbeing and public health equity principles and practices.
• (15%) – Co-lead capacity-building efforts with CERC Chair, staff, affiliate university-based researchers, global research partners and community trainees related to quantitative research, community-based research, survey design, and public health, including the supervision of data analyst staff and participation in staff and research team meetings.

• Given the technical nature of this work, a graduate degree in one of the following areas is required:
  • Epidemiology
  • Public or Population Health
  • Biostatistics
• Experience with community-based research principles and practice, including anti-ableist, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, decolonial approaches.
• Awareness of health equity and community wellbeing cultural and political values and sensitivities.
• Mastery of statistical software (e.g. Stata, R) for data cleaning and analysis.
• Experience with population health survey design, implementation, and data analysis.
• Keen interest with large scale population research in relation to gender-based violence, intersectionality and disability response systems
• Knowledge of digital health transformations and impacts upon health stigmatization, marginalization and inequities.
• Excellent written communication skills including writing and/or editing documents such as reports for various audiences (e.g., academic and community).

• Sound understanding of research methodologies and experience working with EDI communities including people with disabilities, Black and racialized communities, Two-Spirit people, queer, trans and non-binary people, people living with HIV, people living with Hepatitis C, 2SLGBTQQIA+ women, and other people with embodied diverse identities and experiences
• Knowledge of Indigenous research methodologies and experience working with Indigenous Two-Spirit communities.
• Demonstrated capacity as an autonomous worker with an ability to adapt within a large team environment and work in a team setting.
• French language capacity.
• Capacity to manage projects, prioritize tasks, and function under tight and/or competing deadlines.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively with partners from varying sectors including academic, government and community agencies.
• Effective critical analysis and problem-solving skills.

• A mid-year break that provides two weeks time off in addition to your vacation.
• Benefits including comprehensive health and dental, emergency travel care, employee and family assistance program (EFAP), life and business travel accident insurance.
• Employees can also participate in the tuition waiver program which provides eligible employees and their spouses and dependants with access to the various programs and courses that Toronto Metropolitan University offers.  
• Reduced membership rate to the Recreation and Athletics Centre (RAC) and the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) which includes group fitness classes, massage therapy, personal training and aquatics.  
• Access to the Toronto Metropolitan University  Medical Centre which provides a range of medical services on campus. 
• Access to many different discounts such as:
• An inclusive workplace with a flexible working schedule
• A kind and supportive team

An applicant must either hold a PhD in the social sciences, with a strong publication and research track record on disability, health equity and community wellbeing, or alternatively an equivalent level of experience in a community research background with a history of producing accessible community outputs for social impact (i.e. conversation pieces, comics, posters, gallery exhibitions, etc.). The candidate must demonstrate capacity to work as part of a team and contribute to the collective production of knowledge and outcomes in line with the goals and aims of the CERC. Previous experience in research grant and report writing is also an asset.

Please email your application to [email protected] by 5pm April 1, 2024. 

In the subject heading indicate: Research Associate - “your name” and include the following documents in a single word or .pdf file: 

1. a brief CV (2-4 pages)

2. a brief outline of your PhD or other major collaborative research or creative work indicating its main findings and contribution to the field (2-4 pages)

3. A cover letter that clearly indicates your expertise and skills for this role (max 2 pages)

4. a list of three potential referees (referees will be contacted for preferred applicants only)

Please note that only applicants who are selected to move forward in the interview process will be contacted.

• We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at [email protected] .
• Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
• We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please reach out to to Human Resources: 
• All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.