Vice-Chair, Research Ethics Board

Position : Vice-Chair, Research Ethics Board
Start Date : TBD
Supervisor : Chair, Research Ethics Board
Program : Bloorview Research Institute
Join us in building a world of possibility for children with neurodevelopmental differences and disabilities!
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital and is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. It has ranked amongst Canada’s top 40 research hospitals for more than a decade. Holland Bloorview has won numerous awards including Greater Toronto's Top Employers, Canada's Top Employers for Young People and Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures. We offer an inspiring, inclusive, innovative, and collaborative work environment with competitive compensation and benefit packages and programs that support ongoing learning and professional growth.
The Bloorview Research Institute (BRI), embedded within the hospital, is the only university-affiliated research institute in Canada dedicated to pediatric disability, and one of very few around the world. BRI’s vision is to be a global leader in transformative, equity-driven research dedicated to enabling personalized versions of a good life across the lifespan, for all individuals with childhood onset disabilities, acquired injuries and developmental differences, their families and communities.
Description :
Holland Bloorview is seeking an experienced research ethics professional to serve as Vice-Chair of its Research Ethics Board (REB).
The REB is an independent committee responsible for the ethical review and oversight of research involving human participants conducted under the auspices of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the Bloorview Research Institute. The REB has the authority to approve, require modifications to, suspend, or terminate research involving human participants.
Working in partnership with the REB Chair, the Vice-Chair serves as a senior research ethics subject matter expert, providing independent ethical review, consultation, and guidance on complex research ethics issues. The Vice-Chair plays a key role in ensuring that research involving human participants is conducted in accordance with applicable ethical principles, regulatory requirements, and institutional policies.
The Vice-Chair may exercise delegated authority on behalf of the Chair, including conducting delegated reviews, rendering ethics decisions within delegated authority, and chairing REB meetings when required.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the ethical conduct of research that directly impacts children, youth, and families. The successful candidate will join a highly respected academic health sciences centre and play a critical role in supporting safe, ethical, and innovative research while helping to shape the future of research ethics oversight in pediatric disability research.
Responsibilities :
Support the Chair in the ethical oversight of human participant research conducted under the authority of Holland BloorviewConduct delegated ethics reviews of new studies, amendments, continuing review applications, adverse events, protocol deviations, and other submissions as assignedReview and assess complex research protocols involving clinical, rehabilitation, qualitative, quantitative, observational, community-based, mixed-methods, and emerging research methodologiesProvide expert guidance on ethical issues relating to informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, participant welfare, risk-benefit assessment, data sharing, vulnerable populations, and emerging technologiesParticipate as a voting member of the REB and contribute to Board discussions and decision-makingChair REB meetings and perform Chair responsibilities when delegated or in the Chair's absenceParticipate in researcher consultations and dispute-resolution discussions related to ethics review decisionsSupport the Chair in maintaining a high-performing REB with the expertise necessary to review evolving areas of researchAnticipate emerging ethical issues arising from developments such as precision health, artificial intelligence, digital health, advanced rehabilitation technologies, and novel data-sharing approachesProvide mentorship, education, and guidance to REB members and Research Ethics Office staffContribute to the continuous improvement of ethics review processes, reviewer resources, guidance materials, and educational initiativesRepresent Holland Bloorview in provincial and regional research ethics collaborations and networks, including participation in TAHSN and other relevant forums as required
Qualifications :
Significant experience serving on a Research Ethics Board, typically with a minimum of five years of active involvement in the ethical review of research involving human participantsPhD in ethics, bioethics, or a related disciplineAdvanced knowledge of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2)Familiarity with applicable Health Canada regulations, ICH-GCP requirements, privacy legislation, and research governance frameworksStrong understanding of research design and methodology sufficient to assess the ethical implications of a broad range of research studiesDemonstrated ability to analyze complex ethical issues and apply ethical principles in situations where competing considerations may existExperience reviewing research involving vulnerable populations, substitute decision‑making, privacy and confidentiality protections, and emerging research methodologiesExperience chairing committees, leading discussions, and facilitating consensus among individuals with diverse expertise and perspectivesExcellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear and well-reasoned ethics decisions and recommendationsDemonstrated personal and professional integrity, objectivity, and sound judgment
About the OrganizationHolland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital creates a world of possibility by supporting children and youth with disabilities, medical complexity, illness and injury. All of our work is guided by our strategic plan, Transformative Care, Inclusive World: Holland Bloorview 2030. The plan: get a glimpse as to who Holland Bloorview is, we invite you to watch the Together We Dare. Video: Bloorview is committed to fostering a climate of inclusion, diversity, equity accessibility, and anti-racism (IDEAA). This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we seek to create an inclusive culture for our clients, families, research scientists, staff, participants, trainees, volunteers, trustees, and partners. To help in our journey towards fully reflecting the communities we partner with, we welcome and encourage applications from Black individuals and other racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQI2SA+ persons, and others who may contribute to further diversification of ideas within our community. Holland Bloorview is committed to fair assessment of a candidate's abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience, including non-traditional career paths.In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting View email address on ca.hrm.tc or View phone number on ca.hrm.tc.
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