Research Assistant I MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Job ID: 9117)
Our research lab in Mathematical Modeling for Program Science at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (https://maphealth.ca/), Unity Health Toronto is looking for a Research Assistant I. Our lab (https://mishra-lab.ca/) develops epidemiological and data-driven mathematical models of infectious diseases to support the strategic design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of public health programs. Our lab primarily focuses on HIV/STI epidemics (including mpox), and over the last few years our work has included research related to COVID-19. All team members work in collaboration with communities and persons with lived experience; and with investigators and public health teams in multiple countries, including in the global south (specifically, Kenya and Sierra Leone).
We are recruiting a motivated and very detail-oriented Research Assistant I with experience and/or keen interest in carrying out and supporting the administrative and research operations of a data-focused research team. We are looking to work with someone who loves to organize things, with exceptional communication (verbal and written) skills, organizational ability, time-management and multi-tasking proficiency, role-specific technical skills, and demonstrated aptitude in proactive problem-solving and in developing and carrying out adaptive work-flows and prioritization across tasks.
The position involves the following activities and responsibilities (a certain activity might be a priority at times given research team needs): administrative duties and research operations support. The role is hybrid (e.g. two days a week onsite) as our team works in a hybrid environment (with both in-person and remote work days). The incumbent must be flexible to work beyond the job description at times as work demands.
Administrative Duties (50%):
· Organize office space and team calendar, virtual and in-person team meetings, social events; including scheduling and supporting team meetings/events (booking rooms and catering, creating and managing meeting invitations), etc. Note: the position does not involve managing the PI's calendar.
· Coordinate communication between team members and MAP, and with external partners
· Maintain a comprehensive document management system (shared-drive)
· Order supplies, maintain inventory and ensure supplies are accessible to research team
· Coordinate work-travel arrangements for the PI including booking flights, hotel accommodations for both domestic and international travel
· Track PI's action items (using ASANA and Slack), ensuring they are informed of deadlines, and supporting and re-prioritizing activities to ensure deadlines are met (e.g. grant reporting deadlines)
· Prepare, submit and track invoices, reimbursements, and manage all other purchasing-related finance tasks for the PI and the team members, as well as external collaborators
Research Operations Support (50%):
· Support the coordination, formatting, and submission of publications, including reference management and formatting for online submission
· Support submission of grant applications, including developing timelines and coordinating paperwork (e.g. collating collaborator signatures and CVs)
· Proof-reading content/documents prepared by team members and/or PI
· Assist PI and team members in the initiation or renewal of research activities, including preparing and submitting requisite paperwork (e.g. data-sharing agreements), research contracts, collaborative research agreements, etc.
· Manage research-related content for lab website, after receiving training as appropriate
· Prepare research ethics board submissions and renewals
· Develop infographics and visualizations, following appropriate training if not yet experienced
· Update, proofread, and format CVs of the PI
Qualifications and skills
· Undergraduate degree OR 1 year of relevant experience OR demonstrable equivalent combination of specialized education and experience - required
· Fully proficient in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) - required
· Proficiency with referencing software (e.g. EndNote, Zotero) - required
· This position involves working on-site at least 2 days a week - required
· Work or volunteer experience organizing events, team, or similar where prioritization and attention to detail were applied - required
· Proficiency with video conferencing software (i.e. Zoom) - preferred
· Experience as a research assistant or working in a research environment - preferred
· Experience with supporting paperwork for a grant submission or funding application - preferred
What we are looking for:
· Exceptional attention to detail
· Exceptional and proactive problem-solving
· Excellent at finding information (e.g. relevant guidance documents, institutional instructions)
· Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to concisely process, synthesize and verbally communicate in an efficient manner, in team meetings, 1:1 meetings, and when asking for clarification and/or feedback/input into tasks
· Exceptional organizational skills sufficient to prioritize and complete tasks independently, while balancing competing needs and attending to detail
· Flexible and able to handle multiple tasks and varying priorities in a deadline-oriented environment
· Proactive, self-directed learning and interest in developing and learning new skills
· Fast learner of new technology (e.g. new software for project management, etc.)
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Thank you for applying.