Research Analyst - Institute for Mental Health Policy Research

Through its core values of Courage, Respect and Excellence, CAMH is implementing its Strategic Plan: Connected CAMH, to transform lives, ignite innovation and discovery, revolutionize education and drive social change. CAMH is more than a hospital, it is a cause. CAMH is on a mission to change the way society thinks about and responds to mental illness. They aim to eliminate prejudice and discrimination and shape a world where mental illness is central to our healthcare system - a world where Mental Health is Health.

To learn more about CAMH, please visit their website at: www.camh.ca.

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CAMH is seeking a full-time, contract (1-year) Research Analyst, reporting to the Senior Scientists and Research Manager of the Institute of Mental Health Policy Research (IMHPR). IMHPR is a key driver in building the knowledge base for policy decisions, development of mental health interventions, and health system improvement. The RA will primarily support two cannabis-related studies within IMHPR.

The successful candidate will support a pilot study which aims to adapt a web-based intervention for cannabis use. The study involves gathering feedback from a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to identify necessary adaptations, followed by participant recruitment to pilot the adapted intervention. The study will evaluate various aspects of feasibility (recruitment, retention, fidelity, acceptability) and explores changes in cannabis use, mental health, and quality of life. The successful candidate will support day-to-day study operations, including managing regulatory activities, participant recruitment, and study communications. They will be responsible for developing study documents, building and managing REDCap questionnaires, maintaining study logs and records, coordination between participants, CAB and study team members, and contributing to data analysis and the preparation of reports and manuscripts.

The RA will also support a clinical Non-Therapeutic Research on Cannabis study, which is a randomized, double blind human laboratory study evaluating THC self-titration in cannabis users when vaping. The RA will work closely with the Research Coordinator, Registered Nurse, and other team members to support data collection. The primary responsibilities include blood sample processing, collecting cognitive and mood assessments, conducting mental status and psychiatric screenings, and taking vital signs. Other research responsibilities include electronic data collection and documentation, screening and recruitment, supporting quality assurance activities and ethics submissions, and ongoing support, training, and communication with other research team members.

The successful candidate will support a workplace that embraces diversity, encourages teamwork, and complies with all applicable and regulatory requirements. This position will be in-person and provide support at various CAMH sites: 250 College Street and 33 Ursula Franklin Street in Toronto.

The successful candidate will possess a Bachelor (honours) degree in psychology, public health, or related disciplines, in combination with at least one (1) year of related research experience. Knowledge related to cannabis and the conduct of clinical trials is considered an asset, as well as experience interacting with individuals in academic, research, and community health service settings, including people with lived and living experience with substance use.

Key qualifications include:

• Knowledge and understanding of research design, data collection methods, strategies for data management, and data analysis
• Knowledge of ethical conduct of research in human participants, including GCP and TCPS2
• Experience directly interacting with participants (e.g., screening, recruitment, data collection, clinical assessments, qualitative interviews, focus groups, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience developing and administering data collection tools using online data capture platforms such as REDCap
• Experience supporting research ethics applications and quality assurance procedures
• Experience working with internal and external stakeholders, as well as people with lived and living experience with substance use is an asset
• Experience conducting literature reviews, knowledge of university library databases and reference management software, writing, and data analyses are assets
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team environment
• Excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail and determined attitude towards ensuring accuracy and integrity
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse individuals, teams, and people with lived/living experience within the community
• Experience with cannabis research and/or cannabis use within a clinical setting is an asset