Research Associate (full-time, master’s level)

The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) is an independent, not-for-profit research organization. Our mission is to promote, protect and improve the safety and health of working people by conducting actionable research that is valued by employers, workers and policy-makers.

IWH is currently seeking a full-time master’s-level Research Associate.

About the position

A substantial shift in the Canadian labour market—including rising automation, digitization of jobs, and use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the working world—has the potential to impact the health, safety and well-being of workers. We are recruiting a research associate who will support a dynamic and multidisciplinary research and partnership team conducting innovative studies that focus on the future of work and AI—and their implications for worker health and employment. Candidates should have an interest in applied research in the field of work and health, social determinants of health or the impact of technological advancements on society.

Core duties and responsibilities

The successful candidate will be asked to:

• Support several evidence synthesis activities regarding the impact of AI on the health, safety, well-being and equity of the working population
• Contribute to the implementation of research protocols including study interviews and survey development and other research support tasks
• Provide assistance with data analysis including reviewing interview transcripts for accuracy, coding documents, and extracting themes under the supervision of the principal applicant
• Contribute to integrated knowledge transfer and exchange activities, which could include helping with organizing research and stakeholder meetings and preparing written and data summaries for meetings and final reports
• Lead administrative tasks to support the principal investigator and research team members: provide support in documenting project activities, tracking activities against research plans, producing meeting notes and communicating with the research team
• Participate in IWH professional development activities including the IWH Speaker Series and the annual Scientific Advisory Committee meetings.

Education and experience

• A master’s degree in health sciences, social and behavioural sciences, rehabilitation sciences, occupational health or a related field
• Some pre-existing training or applied expertise in public health, occupational health and safety and/or artificial intelligence is desirable
• Experience conducting interviews and focus groups, and/or programming or collecting data using surveys;
• Experience working with research software for evidence synthesis (e.g., DistillerSR) and qualitative research (e.g., NVivo); familiarity with Excel and Microsoft Office
• Experience with approaches to knowledge synthesis (e.g., systematic or scoping reviews)
• Adaptability to different research and administrative roles and a desire to learn and grow within the position. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and written communication skills.

Salary range

Salary will depend on qualifications and experience and will be in the range of $55,000-$65,000 for a one-year contract. Benefits will be offered after three months. Suitability for the position will be assessed after three months. The anticipated start date will be September 8, 2023.

Application details

Applications will be accepted until July 20, 2023, or until the position is filled.

If you are interested in this position, please submit an application containing a cover letter and resumé to:

D. Wills
Director, Human Resources & Corporate Services
400 University Avenue, Suite 1800
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1S5
Email: careers@iwh.on.ca.

IWH is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values and promotes diversity. IWH encourages applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous people, women, LGBTQ2S+ persons, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. 

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact D. Wills, Director, Human Resources & Corporate Services, via e-mail at dwills@iwh.on.ca or by phone at 416-927-2027 ext. 2115 to communicate their accommodation needs.

We thank all applicants, but only those considered for the position will be contacted.

About IWH

IWH, guided by a Board of Directors and an international Scientific Advisory Committee, conducts research that examines primary prevention and interventions in the workplace; effective and efficient rehabilitation and safe, timely return to work for people with work-related injury and illness; labour market experiences and their health consequences; and disability compensation systems and their behavioural consequences. IWH supports an active knowledge transfer and exchange program, which implements interactive strategies to transfer research findings to key decision-makers. IWH also trains and mentors the next generation of work and health researchers.

IWH is committed to excellent working conditions, a cooperative team environment for its employees, and transparent, diverse and fair recruiting practices of staff and trainees.

IWH operates with the support of the Government of Ontario. For more information about our organization, visit our web site at www.iwh.on.ca.