Postdoctoral Researcher

The University Health Network, where "above all else the needs of patients come first", encompasses Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the Michener Institute of Education. The breadth of research, the complexity of the cases treated, and the magnitude of its educational enterprise has made UHN a national and international resource for patient care, research and education. With a long tradition of ground breaking firsts and a purpose of "Transforming lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning", the University Health Network (UHN), Canada's largest research teaching hospital, brings together over 16,000 employees, more than 1,200 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing the world.

Union: Non-Union
Site: Toronto Western Hospital- 399 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8
Department: Jay and Sari Sonshine Centre for Stroke Prevention & Cerebrovascular Brain Health, & Women's Brain Health & Lifestyle Lab, Department of Neurology
Reports to: Principal Investigator
Work Model: Hybrid
Grade: V0:90
Hours: 37.5 hours/week
Salary: $65,000-70,000 (To commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN compensation policy)
Shifts: Monday- Friday
Status: Temporary Full-Time
Closing Date: January 13, 2025

This is a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow hybrid position at the Jay and Sari Sonshine Centre for Stroke Prevention and Cerebrovascular Brain Health - Women's Brain Health & Lifestyle Lab (supervised by PI: Dr. Aleksandra Pikula).

Women's Brain Health & Lifestyle Lab and the Sonshine Centre for Stroke Prevention & Cerebrovascular Brain Health conduct quality improvement, health services, and implementation science for younger and midlife adults with stroke or those at high risk for stroke and dementia. The lab focuses keenly on sex disparities and gender differences (particularly in women during midlife) to enhance patient, caregiver, and clinician experiences, improve stroke models of care, and advance primary and secondary stroke prevention. Additionally, this work is positioned to optimize health service use around stroke, brain, and reproductive health, and health education. Working under the direction of the Principal Investigator (Dr. Aleksandra Pikula), the post-doctoral researcher (formerly referred to as a fellow) will work on several projects focused on women's brain and reproductive health for primary and/or secondary stroke prevention. The applicant will be encouraged to lead and explore areas of research that are within the scope of this lab and apply for grant and award funding among other tasks to support the lab and Sonshine Centre and their independence and success with all skills required as a future scientist.

Duties

• Leads academic writing for grant proposals and publications; supervises team members as needed.
• Supports quantitative data collection, complex data analysis, and develops analytic proposals.
• Conducts interviews and qualitative data analysis using implementation-based frameworks.
• Prepares and reviews quality improvement and ethics review submissions, and service agreements/contracts.
• Supervises Research Assistants and Associates; maintains a library of resources.
• Collaborates with project coordinator and lab leadership team to address research project challenges.
• Reviews quarterly financial, annual, and end-of-grant funding reports.
• Participates in cross-sectoral research collaborations; supports stakeholder meetings and deliverables.
• Liaises with national and international collaborators to ensure project progression.

• PhD in health or social sciences or clinical field within 5 years, with priority to Women's Health, Neuroscience, Clinical Epidemiology, Public Health, or Health Services Research.
• Advanced research skills in population-based, quantitative, mixed methods, qualitative, and quality improvement designs and statistical analysis.
• Strong research record with proficiency in academic writing (protocols, publications, grants, awards).
• Experience in qualitative improvement or implementation science.
• Education and experience in epidemiology and neuroscience.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and comfort with public-facing roles (e.g., presenting to stakeholders, interviewing patients).
• Exceptional organization and time management skills.
• Experience with administrative provincial datasets (e.g., ICES, CIHI) is an asset.
• Experience with large population datasets (e.g., UK Biobank) is an asset.
• Experience in leadership and supervision of junior team members and/or students is an asset.

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.