Research Associate (Limited Term)

Date Posted: 03/06/2026
Req ID: 47222
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Pharmacy
Department: Faculty of Pharmacy
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: No

 

About Us:

 

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto is Canada’s top faculty of pharmacy and ranked among the top in the world. We bring together Canada’s leading scientists, researchers, and educators in the heart of Toronto’s innovation and health research ecosystem. We advance professional pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical science through world-leading education and research and are recognized worldwide for our outstanding scholarship, ingenuity, creativity, and impact.

 

Our faculty, students, staff, and alumni come together to create a vibrant, collaborative environment rich with possibilities. We are at the forefront of redefining pharmacy’s impact in health care and developing the capacity of pharmaceutical science to pinpoint better therapeutic targets, create new ways of building medications, and ensure medication use is safe and effective. We are committed to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering an environment where each member of our community can achieve their full potential.

 

Learn more: ?url=www.pharmacy.utoronto.ca&module=jobs&id=61000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=www.pharmacy.utoronto.ca&module=jobs&id=61000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pharmacy.utoronto.ca  

 

Position Description:

 

The Research Associate will serve as a senior scientific leader within the lab and will work in close partnership with Dr. Sara Guilcher (PI) to oversee and advance the lab’s applied health services research portfolio. This role is designed for an experienced investigator capable of independently managing major components of the research enterprise, including scientific direction, personnel supervision, grant development, and operational oversight. The Optimizing Health and Healthcare Experiences (OPTI-HEx) Lab ( ?url=www.optihexlab.com&module=jobs&id=61000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=www.optihexlab.com&module=jobs&id=61000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.optihexlab.com ) conducts applied health services research focused on improving care delivery, patient experiences, and health outcomes for individuals with complex health and social care needs. The team works at the intersection of rehabilitation sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, social sciences, and implementation science, frequently employing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches to evaluate service delivery models and develop and test interventions.

 

The Research Associate will play a central leadership role in ensuring the scientific excellence, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability of the lab. The successful candidate will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and may assume delegated authority for day-to-day lab management. This position is intended for a highly motivated and experienced investigator capable of operating with substantial independence. The Research Associate will be entrusted with significant responsibility for the scientific research functions of the lab and will be expected to contribute meaningfully to its long-term growth and sustainability.

 

Key Responsibilities: 

 

• Conduct academic research to achieve research goals of PI and lab
• Independently conceptualize, design, and lead quantitative (e.g., administrative health data, surveys), qualitative, and mixed-methods studies
• Conduct academic research to achieve research goals of PI
• Lead interpretation and dissemination of research findings through high-impact publications
• Lead knowledge mobilization and implementation strategies to translate findings into policy, practice, and system-level impact
• Lead preparation and submission of competitive grant applications (as co-PI or Co-Investigator) and liaising on post-award grant management activities, including the coordination of multi-investigator proposals
• Execute research projects and report on their progress through oral and written reports and scientific journal articles
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with collaborators, community partners, and co-investigators
• Present the lab at institutional, national, and international meetings
• Supervise and mentor graduate students and trainees

 

Qualifications:

 

• Ph.D. in health services research or a closely related discipline
• Minimum 3-5+ years of postdoctoral research experience
• Demonstrated track record of leading interdisciplinary research programs
• Evidence of successful grant writing and related success, including peer-reviewed funding (as PI or Co-I preferred)
• Strong record of first- and senior-author publications in high-impact, field-relevant journals
• Demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring trainees and research staff
• Expertise in quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods research design and analysis
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder research projects
• Demonstrated experience in grant preparation and monitoring research project expenses
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills

 

Notes: This is a one (1) year term position. 

 

Closing Date: 03/29/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Personnel Subarea: Research Assoc
Appointment Type: Grant - Term. This is a one (1) year term position. 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): $53,520 - $100,350
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see ?url=http%3A%2F%2Fuoft.me%2FUP&module=jobs&id=61000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=http%3A%2F%2Fuoft.me%2FUP&module=jobs&id=61000" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://uoft.me/UP .

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careersutoronto.ca .

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