Research Associate

Job Summary

Reporting to the Principal Investigator (Dr. Teresa Purzner), the Research Associate will support and help drive the Brain Tumour Program at Queen's University, an integrated clinical and research program studying brain tumour biology, treatment, and patient outcomes. The individual will participate across multiple concurrent projects, responsible for dataset compilation and analysis, contributing to manuscript preparation and publication, supporting grant development, and collaborating with investigators at partner institutions across Canada. A background in clinical epidemiology, cancer epidemiology, population health, or related fields is an asset. The incumbent will join a dedicated and growing team of expert scientists and clinicians who aim to elevate neuro-oncology research at Queen's.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Independently compile, clean, and analyze clinical and research datasets across multiple program projects, including descriptive analyses, statistical modelling, survival analysis, and other approaches appropriate to the research questions.

• Independently lead and contribute to manuscripts, scientific presentations, and knowledge translation products (including reports, lay summaries, and infographics) arising from program data, including as first author where appropriate.

• Independently develop and maintain research databases (including REDCap), ensuring accuracy, currency, and confidentiality.

• Support multi-institutional collaborative studies on which the Principal Investigator serves as a site lead, liaising with coordinating centres, co-investigators, and partner institution staff.

• Contribute to the development of grant applications, including conducting supporting literature reviews, drafting sections, coordinating co-applicant materials, and tracking submission timelines.

• Provide hands-on day-to-day support and guidance to undergraduate and graduate trainees working on program projects. Formal academic supervision rests with the Principal Investigator.

• Undertake additional duties or special projects as required in support of the Principal Investigator's research program.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, OR PhD in a relevant area (e.g., clinical epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, health services research, neuroscience, or a related field). Ten or more years of relevant experience is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience conducting quantitative data analysis, including descriptive statistics, statistical modelling, and survival analysis or comparable advanced methods.

• Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., SAS, R, Python, SPSS) for data cleaning, analysis, and visualization.

• Experience with REDCap or comparable research data management platforms.

• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication, including as first author.

• Working experience integrating AI-assisted tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot) into coding, analysis, and writing workflows.

• Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

ASSETS:

• Experience working with large, population-based datasets (e.g., ICES, Statistics Canada) or large-scale electronic medical record data.

• Prior research experience in neuro-oncology, oncology, or related clinical research areas.

• Experience supporting trainees or junior research staff.

• Administrative or project management experience an asset.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Respects diversity and promotes equity and inclusion in the workplace.

• Highly self-directed, with a demonstrated ability to take initiative and responsibility for projects from beginning to completion.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills; able to coordinate work across multiple concurrent projects.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with an experimental mindset for tackling unfamiliar questions.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a small team and to engage productively with collaborators at partner institutions.

• Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality of patient and research data.

• For candidates working remotely: must be reliably and immediately available during standard working hours, and able to communicate days off and absences in advance.