Research Ethics Coordinator

The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is the research arm of The Ottawa Hospital – one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals. We are proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. With more than 2,200 scientists, clinician investigators, trainees and staff, and total revenues of more than $120 million, we are one of the foremost Canadian hospital-based research institutes. Our research spans more than a hundred different diseases, conditions, and specialties with an overall focus on translating discoveries and knowledge into better health.

Job description

The Research Ethics Coordinator is responsible for the assessment, coordination, and review of research applications submitted to the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board (OHSN-REB). Working closely with REB Chairs, Vice-Chairs, Board Members, investigators, research teams, and REB leadership, the Research Ethics Coordinator facilitates the ethical review and ongoing oversight of human participant research conducted under the jurisdiction of the OHSN-REB.

The incumbent applies ethical principles, regulatory requirements, and institutional policies to support the review of research involving human participants and assists investigators in obtaining and maintaining research ethics approval. The Research Ethics Coordinator serves as a key resource for researchers and stakeholders regarding research ethics requirements, submission processes, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Conduct administrative and ethical review of research applications, amendments, renewals, reportable events, protocol deviations, and study closures.
• Assess submissions for completeness and compliance with applicable ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide guidance and education to investigators, research staff, and trainees regarding REB policies, procedures, and submission requirements.
• Prepare submissions for delegated and full-board review and support REB meetings as required.
• Analyze consent forms, recruitment materials, study protocols, and participant-facing documents to identify ethical and regulatory issues.
• Communicate REB determinations and recommendations to investigators and research teams.
• Monitor approved research to ensure ongoing compliance with REB requirements and applicable regulations.
• Interpret and apply institutional policies, REB standard operating procedures, TCPS2, ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines, Health Canada regulations, and other applicable requirements.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives, policy development, educational activities, and process enhancements within the REB.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation within the electronic ethics management system.

Basic Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in health sciences, life sciences, nursing, ethics, public health, social sciences, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in clinical research, research administration, research ethics, regulatory affairs, healthcare, or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of research involving human participants and the ethical principles governing such research.
• Experience reviewing, coordinating, or supporting research studies involving human participants is considered an asset.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organizational, time management, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, regulations, and ethical guidance in a consistent manner.
• Strong customer service skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.
• Strong proofreading, editing, and document review skills.

Professional and Technical Knowledge

• Working knowledge of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS2).
• Knowledge of ICH Good Clinical Practice E6(R3) and applicable Health Canada regulations.
• Familiarity with ethical, legal, and privacy considerations applicable to human participant research.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and other Office 365 applications.
• Experience with electronic research ethics or research administration systems (e.g., CTO Stream, IRIS, REDCap, SharePoint, or equivalent) is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and clinical research processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with a Research Ethics Board or Institutional Review Board.
• Certification in research ethics, clinical research, regulatory affairs, or a related field (e.g., TCPS2 CORE, IHC GCP, Clinical Research Administration, CCRP, SoCRA) is considered an asset.
• Experience in an academic health centre, hospital, university, research institute, or regulated clinical research environment.
• Bilingualism (English/French) is considered a strong asset.