Research Associate

Description:

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (IR-CUSM) is a world-renowned biomedical and healthcare research center in Montreal, affiliated with McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine and partly funded by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS).

This research associate position is part of a project aimed at improving outcomes and equity in services for people with major neurocognitive disorders. The candidate will coordinate mixed-methods research projects (qualitative and quantitative) to analyze differences in healthcare service use and patient experiences, guided by social determinants of health. The role requires close collaboration with researchers, patient partners, and community organizations to ensure impactful, equity-focused health policy recommendations.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with the principal investigator and interdisciplinary team to design and implement research studies.

• Contribute to study protocols, research questions, and theoretical frameworks.

• Lead planning, organization, and logistics of multiple research projects across institutions and provinces.

• Develop project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and monitor budgets.

• Supervise and mentor research assistants, data analysts, students, and investigators.

• Organize and lead regular team meetings, track progress, and ensure collaboration.

• Serve as the main liaison with collaborators, patient partners, community organizations, and institutional staff.

• Conduct qualitative research: design methods, recruit participants, obtain consent, collect/analyze data, and interpret results.

• Support quantitative research: data processing, statistical analysis (SPSS, R, STATA, etc.), and result interpretation.

• Draft research publications, reports, and grant applications (ethics, funding, contracts).

• Maintain organized project documentation and records.

• Disseminate findings through manuscripts, presentations, and community-oriented materials.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Doctorate degree (preferred in Public Health, Sociology, Anthropology, Health Services Research, Medicine, Epidemiology, or Psychology).

• Minimum 2 years in project/research coordination, plus 1–2 years in mixed-methods research.

• Strong bilingual communication skills (French & English, oral and written).

• Expertise in quantitative methods and statistics (SPSS, R, STATA) and qualitative analysis (NVivo, Atlas.ti).

• Knowledge of research ethics, compliance, and privacy regulations.

• Experience in grant writing and research funding applications (in French and English).

• Proven ability to lead, supervise, and mentor research staff.

• Excellent writing skills for academic and community audiences.

• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and multitasking abilities.

• Demonstrated independence, initiative, creativity, and teamwork.

Assets:

• Knowledge of health equity, social determinants, intersectionality, and anti-racism.

• Experience with marginalized populations and health administrative datasets.

• Proficiency in MS Office and reference management software.

• Experience in qualitative data collection (interviews, focus groups, ethnography).

• Experience organizing research workshops, training, or seminars.

Application Requirements:
Applicants must submit a single consolidated PDF including:

• Motivation letter (addressed to Mlle Lopes) highlighting relevant experience and impact.

• Recent academic transcript.

• Curriculum Vitae (with bibliography).

• Contact information for 3 referees.

• (Optional, preferred) Writing sample (max. 5 pages).

Additionally, candidates must complete this form: Application Form.

Additional Information:

• Full-time, temporary (1-year contract, renewable subject to funding).

• Hybrid work (flexible schedule, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. core hours).

• Expected commitment: minimum 3 years.

• Position offers direct involvement in equity-driven research to improve care for older adults with neurocognitive disorders.

Benefits:

• 4 weeks vacation (5 weeks after 5 years).

• 12 paid personal/family/sick days per year.

• 13 statutory holidays.

• Modular group insurance plan (including gender affirmation coverage).

• Telemedicine access.

• Government defined-benefit pension plan (RREGOP).

• On-site daycare, employee assistance program, recognition program.

• Discounts (OPUS+, Perkopolis, parking).

• Professional training & development opportunities.

• Flexible work arrangements.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion:
The IR-CUSM is an equal opportunity employer, strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Applications from underrepresented groups (racialized persons, women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals) are encouraged. Candidates needing accommodations during the application process may contact research.talent@muhc.mcgill.ca confidentially.