Research Methods Specialist (Research Data Integration) - Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics

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.

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The Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics is working to transform our understanding of mental health by organizing, integrating, analyzing, visualizing and modelling data across all levels of the brain -from genes to circuits to behaviour. This multimodal data is gathered across the clinical environment including genetic, epigenetic, MRI, DTI, fMRI, hd-EEG, actigraphy and electronic medical record data. Our research is performed in an open science environment, with an emphasis on reproducible data-driven research and a patient-centric approach to accelerate identification and treatment of mental illness. The KCNI Operations team includes the Research Informatics/IT Department, which provides cutting-edge services to the CAMH research community.

Position Summary
The Research Methods Specialist (Research Data Integration) plays a crucial role in the operational management of CAMH’s Neuroinformatics Platform and the BrainHealth Databank, CAMH’s institutional research data repository. This full-time, contract (1-year) role is central to ensuring smooth onboarding of studies including compliance tracking, promotion of FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), maintaining data integrity during ingestion and preparation, and facilitating secure, compliant (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and documented data sharing. The successful candidate will be experienced in planning, leading, and coordinating the design, installation, and management of research systems. The successful candidate will ensure the consistent application of data models and provenance tracking, data quality and data accuracy across data collection initiatives, including common data elements for standardization. The Research Methods Specialist (Research Data Integration) will work closely with the core Research IT systems as well as diverse stakeholders including scientists, trainees, informatics specialists, and research managers. The successful candidate will be reporting directly to the Manager of Research Data Lifecycle & Standardization, and work closely with the Research Informatics/IT Operations Manager. This position will be located at 250 College Street, Toronto.

Key Accountabilities

• Onboard studies to the Neuroinformatics Platform, including REDCap configuration, and other data system (e.g., XNAT, LabKey, Wearables) integration and ingestion.
• Coordinate the BrainHealth Databank Repository lifecycle, including liaising with research teams to assess deposit eligibility and timelines, and organizing multi-modal digital research data.
• Identify issues and convey technical solutions related to compliance requirements (e.g., identifying information, electronic consent and source documentation frameworks) including liaising with other internal stakeholders (e.g., ethics, research practice, QA).
• Provide mentorship and guidance on research data management and open science best practices-including the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)-to foster a strong culture of data ownership and stewardship across research teams, to advance overall data quality and FAIRness while ensuring alignment with ethical, privacy, and legal requirements.
• Coordinate BrainHealth Databank Portal setup and maintenance, including user training and ensuring appropriate version control and documentation, and track data-sharing access requests, including preparing summary reports and datasets, conducting risk of re-identification analyses, and granting permissions and roles upon approval.
• Develop strategies for service delivery, including technology, user communication and support and continually improve processes and workflows to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Maintain a work environment that embraces diversity and is free of harassment and discrimination, and models the principles and values of integrity, competence, responsibility, respect and trust.
• Performs cross functional and other duties as assigned and/or requested.

• Honours Bachelor degree in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Computer Science, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Medical Informatics, or a related field
• 5 years of related experience working in an active mental health or healthcare research environment, including data management, integration, or technology
• Strong understanding of data management across the research lifecycle, including creation, processing, analysis, preservation, access, and reuse of research data
• Experience working with mental health data types (EEG, genomics, imaging, electronic health records)
• Strong knowledge of data models and data structures as well as electronic data capture tools, preferably REDCap
• Strong understanding and experience with regulatory procedures and how they apply to data storage, management, research data use, and access
• Experience with a range of data technologies, which may include but are not limited to:

• Data APIs and formats
• Database management systems and querying languages for data integration, storage, retrieval and manipulation
• Programming languages such as Python
• Version control systems

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address technical and conceptual data challenges.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy and reliability of data and database systems.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for effectively conveying technical concepts and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task under pressure, deal with conflicting priorities and meet project timelines
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment ‘
• Values research and recognizes the transformative impact it can make on patients’ lives