Research Associate, Research Scientist, Clinical Research

This position is available for a highly motivated PhD with postdoctoral experience to join Dr. Manish Sadarangani’s team at the VEC. The position will involve managing multiple projects, including multi-site research studies, and supporting the full scope of data generation and analysis of bacterial and host genomics and transcriptomics. This Research Associate is also responsible for investigating, analyzing, proposing, and implementing solutions based on best practices and novel developments in the areas of wet lab processes and genomics analyses.

The Research Associate will work independently, with regular updates on progress and challenges. The Research Associate must exercise judgment on the day-to-day progress of research projects. The individual must perform their duties and interact tactfully with co-workers, researchers, and collaborators. A high level of confidentiality is essential. Structured decision making and an ability to work independently are critical. A high level of reliability, accuracy, and maturity are vital in this position.

Errors in judgement can have serious impact on the operation of the VEC. Consequence of error could negatively affect the accuracy of research findings if attention to detail and sufficient skill are not applied to work.

Organizational Status

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Manish Sadarangani.

Work Performed

Research:

• Collect data on respiratory infections across multiple seasons in Canada

• Analyze patterns of respiratory infections by year/season and pathogen

• Develop and use predictive modelling, such as SARI MA modelling, to propose future patterns of respiratory infections

• Combine data from multiple databases to conduct analyses

• Mentor other members of the research group (e.g. undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows) in epidemiological modelling.

• Oversee and carryout research projects including: design and plan, prepare application submissions for ethics and research committees, write grant applications, conduct data collection and analysis, write final reports, produce manuscripts for publication in a scientific journal, submit abstracts, and present data for scientific meetings.

• Review protocols submitted to the VEC for ideas on implementation as well as for scientific enhancement. This requires understanding of both the scientific and clinical aspects of the disease and/or vaccine under study.

• Represent the organization in various forums as a speaker and disseminates findings including publishing scholarly work.

Project Management:

• Provide leadership regarding the data collection and analysis research components of the project, including the development of study methodologies and instrumentation.

• Complete or oversee communication activities for the project in conjunction with team members and partners.

• Cultivate positive working relationships with all team members.

• Lead or participate in study progress meetings with research team.

• Lead ongoing analysis activities for research components through regular meetings with other researchers and research assistants.

• Work with research team members to identify real or potential problems and works to resolve these issues.

• Manage overarching responsibilities for scientific and financial reporting. Monitor expenditure of funds relative to budget, ensuring appropriate, transparent justifications for expenditures.

• Ensure exemplary file management and archiving to ensure smooth running of the project as well as to meet any audit requests.

• Organize research project symposia, conferences, lectures, seminars or meetings. This includes scheduling, coordinating, setting agendas, acting as moderator/note-taker for virtual and in­person project meetings.

Supervision Received

Overall supervision at a general directive level comes from the VEC Director and is provided in terms of overall objectives and priority.

For projects undertaken as an investigator, supervision is on a co-investigator level of providing guidance. For other projects, receives general directions from investigator(s) for study-related issues and priorities. Study-related…