Scientific Advisor

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Status: Full time, indefinite

Salary range: $97,000 to $121,000 per year

CADTH is now Canada’s Drug Agency — a pan-Canadian health organization. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Ottawa, with a satellite office in Toronto. Created and funded by Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments, we drive better coordination, alignment, and public value within Canada’s drug and health technology landscape. We provide Canada’s health system leaders with independent evidence and advice so they can make informed drug, health technology, and health system decisions, and we collaborate with national and international partners to enhance our collective impact.

We are proud to be a 2024 National Capital Region Top Employer. This recognition celebrates our dedication to fostering a work environment that nurtures growth; innovation; and inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA). It reaffirms our ongoing efforts to create an outstanding workplace where our employees thrive and feel valued.

Most of our employees participate in a hybrid workspace arrangement that allows for flexibility and enhanced work-life balance. We believe in the positive impact of in-person collaboration and the importance of team building. Added consideration is given to qualified candidates who live near our offices and can participate in a hybrid arrangement. Those applying must be located in Ontario, except in rare circumstances where the employment position is remote.

Primary Focus

Under the direction of the Manager, Quantitative Methods, the Scientific Advisor (Methodologist) contributes to our reports by applying appropriate methodologies, quality standards, policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure rigour and the timely output of high-quality reports. Scientific Advisors are also responsible for methodological development and advancement of evidence standards to ensure continued credibility of our work.

What do the daily responsibilities look like?

On any given day, the Scientific Advisor (Methodologist) will:

• conduct and review clinical evidence appraisals and provide guidance in the interpretation of statistical analyses, ensuring the application of appropriate methodologies and quality standards
• provide leadership in the development, maintenance, and application of quantitative methods used to appraise clinical evidence and produce health technology assessment (HTA) reports, including:
• establishing and aligning methods and quality standards with current best practices in other HTA agencies
• ensuring evidence appraisal and reporting are conducted in accordance with applicable quantitative methods and quality standards
• provide subject matter expertise and guidance to the staff
• develop and deliver technical education and training when required
• liaise with experts, academia, external organizations or agencies (local, provincial, and national), representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, and our panels and committees to discuss, promote, and align our methods, approaches, and tools with current best practices to ensure scientific credibility, and for continuous quality improvement
• assist with other Science and Methods functions as required, including but not limited to Real World Evidence and Scientific Advice.

Is this the right role for you?

The Scientific Advisor (Methodologist) will likely have the following:

Technical knowledge and skills

• a broad knowledge and experience in quantitative research design and methodologies, including but not limited to study conduct, statistical analyses, and reporting, and knowledge of appraisal methods and standards used in the development and application of drugs and HTA
• a graduate or postgraduate degree in a health-related discipline (e.g., statistics or biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, pharmacy, public health, social sciences, psychology, and so forth) and 2 to 5 years of experience with quantitative research (clinical interventional research including patient-reported outcomes and observational studies or Real World Evidence) in a relevant health sector
• experience with principles of evidence-based medicine and critical appraisal of evidence
• advanced knowledge of methods and standards for evidence appraisal and synthesis, and an understanding of areas for advancement
• knowledge and/or experience in clinical interventional trial and observational or real-world study design and methodologies, including appraisal methods and standards
• knowledge and/or experience in qualitative research methods
• knowledge and/or experience in applied ethics analyses and/or familiarity with common ethical issues in health care
• a broad understanding of the health care systems in Canada, and the role of HTA
• effective synthesis and analytical skills
• advanced oral and written communication skills, including conveying complex topics clearly and concisely to suit the intended audience

Business acumen

• team collaboration: demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective working relationships, fostering an environment of trust and mutual respect
• influencing skills: proven strength in influencing and persuading others to support objectives and drive successful outcomes
• accountability and results orientation: skilled in setting priorities and delivering on commitments, managing multiple tasks and deadlines effectively in high-pressure situations
• innovative problem-solving: independently identifying and implementing creative solutions, contributing to the development and refinement of methodologies and advancement of methods, and actively facilitating and advocating for ongoing change
• professional development: actively pursuing opportunities to expand expertise, staying current on relevant national and international HTA programs and evidence synthesis trends
• strategic vision and planning: adopting a forward-thinking approach, with the ability to foresee organizational goals and develop actionable plans to achieve long-term objectives.

What will set you apart?

The following are considered asset qualifications:

• publication history that reflects expertise
• basic understanding of health economics and how clinical data are used in economic modelling
• fluency in French.

What’s in it for you?

At Canada’s Drug Agency, you will find:

• a team-focused, supportive, and inclusive work environment
• a competitive compensation package, including participation in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) — 1 of Canada’s largest and most successful defined benefit pension plans
• a comprehensive benefits package for employees and dependents, including health, dental, life, and travel insurance; a health spending account; and an employee assistance program
• paid time off (including a minimum of 4 weeks of vacation leave as well as sick leave and life leave, a December holiday closure, and other leave options)
• opportunities to work with and learn from highly specialized professionals
• personal growth through professional development opportunities, corporate training, and support for continuing education
• a friendly culture that supports community engagement
• the opportunity to make a difference for people living in Canada and effect positive change.

To apply for this position, visit the Careers section of our website. Your résumé must clearly identify how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role. Applications for this opportunity may be used for future staffing vacancies. We thank you for your interest; however, only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Please visit our website regularly for new opportunities.

At Canada’s Drug Agency, we actively celebrate, support, and flourish through our differences. Our employees are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, who share a passion for building the future of health care. We demonstrate a commitment to IDEA through continuous training, modelling inclusive behaviours, and proactively managing biases. We highly encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including people of all places of origin and religions, people with disabilities, people who are neurodivergent, people who are Black or racialized, Indigenous people, women, and people from the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We also provide accommodations during all phases of the recruitment process. If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please let the Talent Acquisition team know when they contact you. We will work with you to meet your needs.

Please note that, as a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to complete a confidential pre-employment background check, including criminal, employment, and educational verifications.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. We regret that we are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.