Research Agreement Specialist - Clinical Trial Agreements

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, West Park Healthcare Centre 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 17,000 employees, more than 1,250 physicians, 8,000+ students, and many volunteers. UHN is a caring, creative place where amazing people are amazing the world.

About the Clinical Trial Agreements Office

The Clinical Trial Agreements (CTA) Office is a large and expanding department situated within Research Legal and falls under the provision of both Corporate Legal and Research at UHN. The CTA Office helps to facilitate approximately 2,000 contracts a year for research involving human participants.

Thousands of research studies are undertaken at UHN every year. While some involve UHN researchers and clinicians only, most involve third parties such as pharmaceutical and medical device companies, government or funding agencies, contract research organizations and other research institutions. It is imperative that appropriate legal agreements are in place to govern these relationships as well as to manage and mitigate risk to the UHN and UHN research participants.

Union: Non-Union
Site: 700 University Avenue
Department: Clinical Trial Agreements Office
Reports to: Manager
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: $76,654 - $95,823 per annum
Status: Permanent Full-Time
Closing Date: November 28, 2024

The Research Agreement Specialist is an essential part of preparing and negotiating legal agreements for UHN research studies. You will work on and complete a variety of agreement types including clinical study agreements, confidentiality agreements, sub site/grant and collaboration agreements, material transfer agreements and data sharing agreements. As the Research Agreement Specialist, you will develop agreement strategies and also review and assess study submissions by researchers to determine study complexity and requirements.

The CTA Office works with an array of partners to facilitate research at UHN and, in your role, you will engage with key internal stakeholders such as the Research Ethics Board, Research Financial Services and senior management for briefing and decision-making. From beginning to end, the Research Agreement Specialist must be able to manage institutional risk and provide effective and efficient service and support to researchers and investigate barriers to study start-up. Duties will also include the development of SOPs and review tools.

This role supports a hybrid work environment, splitting time between the office and working from home.

This position has opportunities to be cross-trained in different modalities, leadership, growth and long-term progression within the CTA Office and at UHN.

• At minimum, a law degree or paralegal background with related experience or; a master's degree or recognized equivalent
• Minimum three (3) years of practical and related experience with at least 2 years of experience drafting, interpreting and negotiating agreements. Experience with clinical trial agreements, data transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements, etc. is preferred but not required
• Ability to manage and prioritize projects simultaneously; to efficiently communicate, write, edit, analyze, negotiate and problem solve
• Familiarity with and/or experience in contracts or in an academic research environment is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated negotiation and facilitation skills
• Experience in a Microsoft Office environment preferred
• Proficient skills in Microsoft Excel or PowerBI would be an asset
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills required
• Policy development and decision-making skills
• Attention to detail/analytical thinking and excellent organizational abilities required
• Ability to manage personal timelines and priorities with minimal supervision required

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.