Data Scientist - Centre for Health and Community Research
$89,422 to $99,147 per annum (Grant Funded)
As soon as possible to March 31, 2026 (Term may be reduced or extended depending on performance, available funding, and departmental requirements)
The Centre for Health and Community Research (CHCR) at the University of Prince Edward Island invites applications for the position of Data Scientist. The CHCR is a collaborative research centre that brings together researchers and stakeholders from UPEI as well as universities, health authorities, and government bodies across Canada. The CHCR provides research support and advice to faculty members, government, and community collaborators on projects dedicated to enhancing health care delivery, policy making, and community wellbeing. To facilitate these objectives, the CHCR has established and oversees the Secure Island Data Repository (SIDR). SIDR is a research data repository and custodian under the Health Information Act. SIDR offers secure access to de-identified administrative health and social data for research and planning purposes. Reporting to the Senior Research Scientist and Manager of SIDR, the Data Scientist will provide scientific expertise and support to all aspects of research supported by the CHCR and SIDR.
The successful candidate will have extensive experience conducting research using administrative health data and will work as part of CHCR and SIDR’s senior research team to provide scientific expertise to data-focused research projects and initiatives supported by the CHCR and SIDR.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead or provide guidance on the scoping, planning, design, development, execution, and management of research and evaluation projects supported by the CHCR
- Provide advice and guidance to knowledge users, faculty members, and students who want to use SIDR data and/or services to answer research questions
- Take on the role of scientific lead for projects requiring SIDR’s leadership
- Develop data assembly plans for SIDR projects and oversee/assist with the execution of data assembly plans as needed
- Oversee and/or perform data linkages to create study cohorts and derived variables for analysis
- Conduct and/or mentor data analysts in statistical analyses, ensuring high-quality execution and interpretation of results
- Prepare and review analytic outputs, providing feedback and guidance to team members where appropriate
- Oversee, conduct, and advise on research activities, including ethics submissions, funding applications, qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis, and the creation of reports, manuscripts, and other knowledge translation products. This includes presenting research results to various stakeholders, including patients, academic audiences, and others
- Assist the CHCR/SIDR Director and Senior Research Scientist/SIDR Manager with reporting requirements for funders and stakeholders
- Participate in relevant working groups, committees, and initiatives within the Maritime SPOR Support Unit, the SPOR Canadian Data Platform, and Health Data Research Network Canada, contributing expertise and assistance as required
- Collaborate on interprovincial priority projects of the Maritime SPOR Support Unit
- Help to create and/or curate training materials for SIDR data analysts and users
- Assist the SIDR Director and Manager with awareness raising and capacity building activities for researchers and knowledge users to promote the use of SIDR for research and multi-regional research via Health Data Research Network Canada’s Data Access Support Hub (DASH)
- Perform other related duties as required
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A doctoral degree, or a graduate degree with extensive related work experience in a relevant field. Strong preference for epidemiology or any applied human health research field with a data component. Demonstrated equivalencies will be considered. All applicants are encouraged to apply
- Significant experience (minimum 7 years) in planning and executing quantitative research projects and strong knowledge of research methods. The successful candidate must have experience conducting research and analysis using administrative data
- Experience executing administrative data research projects involving equity-deserving groups would be considered a strong asset
- Significant experience (minimum 7 years) in collaborating and engaging with a variety of stakeholders for research and evaluation projects (e.g., academic researchers, federal and provincial governments, community-based organizations, health authorities and providers, national organizations)
- Strong writing skills as evidenced by a history of publications of various formats (please provide a list with your application)
- Research project management experience is required
- Experience using GIS software and conducting spatial analyses in a research environment would be a strong asset
- Knowledge of, commitment to, and preferably experience with embedding principles and/or considerations of patient engagement; sex and gender diversity; Indigenous allyship and engagement; and inclusion, equity, diversity, and accessibility in research
- Demonstration of an understanding of and adherence to equitable data governance frameworks (e.g., Indigenous data sovereignty, OCAP®, Five Safes, EGAP) and an appreciation of their importance in reconciliation and decolonization
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, and an ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Please submit electronically a cover letter, quoting the competition number, a resume and reference list to be received no later than the closing date via the link below.
If you are unable to apply online, you can drop off your resume to the Human Resources Department, Kelley Building, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI C1A 4P3, Fax Number 902-894-2895.
UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute. UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. If you require accommodation in any part of the process, please direct your inquiries, in confidence, to our HR Officer, hrofficer@upei.ca. Applications will not be accepted via email.
Only those applicants who are invited to an interview will be acknowledged.
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