Director, Human Research Ethics

Date Posted: 03/10/2025
Req ID: 42099
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Research Oversight & Compliance Office
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

About us:

The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possible so that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight andaccountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

Your opportunity:

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Research Oversight and Compliance (AVP, ROC), the Director, Human Research Ethics (HRE) is the primary contact for overseeing the University’s Human Research Ethics Program (HREP) and administers, reports and advises on issues related to research ethics and compliance in human participant research. The incumbent follows the ethical conduct of research involving human participants in accordance with the principles and articles of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Human (TCPS) and other policies both internal and external to the University, as appropriate. The Director leads in the creation or ensures the creation of policies, guidelines and best practices for approval by the AVP-ROC and ensures their implementation and adherence. The Director advises AVP, ROC on potentially volatile regulatory and compliance issues as these pertain to research ethics and establishes short and long term research ethics priorities for the University. They provide leadership, guidance and advice to members of the University research community; acts as the primary source of expertise; manages research ethics and regulatory matters involving human participants as they arise and takes proactive action to foster a culture of research ethics and compliance across the University. The incumbent oversees the post-approval surveillance program for human research, determining whether corrective action is required such as escalating to the AVP, ROC and/or Research Ethics Board (REB) Chairs.

Essential Qualifications:

EDUCATION:
Health, Social Sciences, or Ethics Ph.D. or equivalent combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE:
Minimum 5 years’ experience in research ethics administration in a research- intensive institution, preferably in a university setting.  Detailed understanding of the human research environment from scientific and ethical perspectives.  In-depth knowledge and understanding of Tri-Council Policy Statement and other national and international policies and guidelines.  Working knowledge of regulatory and legislative requirements for research involving humans.  Experience with policy analysis and development.  Minimum 5 years of relevant administrative experience including excellent supervision skills and software proficiency. Knowledge of and ability to interpret complex university policies, systems and operations.

SKILLS:
Extensive use of personal computers and other standard office equipment. Familiarity with administrative, word processing, spreadsheet and web information technology software packages.

OTHER:
Strong oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational, directorial, analytical, time management and problem solving skills; ability to plan, execute and complete tasks under pressure and to meet deadlines; demonstrated initiative, discretion, tact, judgment and diplomacy; ability to pay attention to detail as well as maintain a broad perspective; ability to interpret and integrate complex University and other policies; capable of short and long-term planning; proven ability to work under pressure and to manage competing priorities; strong leadership and strategic skills; ability to work both independently and collaboratively.  
 

Closing Date: 03/24/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 5 -- Hiring Zone: $118,368 - $138,097 -- Broadband Salary Range: $118,368 - $197,280
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial