Research Professional

Department: National Institute on Ageing
Position supervisor: Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research, National Institute on Ageing)
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position Type: Research Professional
Rate of pay: $75,000 - $85,000 based on credentials and experience.
Deadline to apply: June 16, 2025

About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

About the program/department/team

National Institute on Ageing

The National Institute on Ageing (NIA) improves the lives of older adults and the systems that support them by conducting research, convening stakeholders, sharing information, shifting attitudes and advancing policy solutions and practice innovations. Our vision is a Canada where older adults feel valued, included, supported, and better prepared to age with confidence.

The opportunity

The Research Professional (Health Policy Researcher) conducts qualitative and quantitative research, produces analyses, and written reports and other products. This role supports the NIA in building a robust, evidence-driven picture of Canada’s health policy landscape as it relates to ageing, and of how Canadians from different communities engage with it. This role works closely with and under the supervision of the Director of Health Policy Research, and collaborates with the broader NIA team to develop policy-relevant research and other products.

Job Responsibilities
- Research
- Assists in developing the research design and methodology for assigned projects by researching the assigned topic; determining appropriate and available resources; determining the nature and type of data required; developing monitoring, and modifying systems/tools for data collection, verification and reporting of data.
- Conducts primary and secondary research through various methods such as interviews, focus groups, and surveys, which includes recruiting participants, extracting and analyzing data results, and conducting analyses.
- Conducts literature reviews and writes policy-relevant research reports.
- Communication / Knowledge Mobilization
- Collaborates with the communications team to develop communications products to mobilize knowledge from research.
- Develops presentations and knowledge mobilization materials for presentation of research findings at conferences, webinars and events.
- Presents and participates in sessions at conferences, webinars and events to showcase research findings when appropriate.
- Participates in media interviews on research findings when appropriate.
- Project Management
- Attends meetings to define strategies, goals and scope of research projects.
- Acts as the point of contact on a variety of research projects, liaising with project collaborators, external stakeholders, and internal staff members.
- Manages projects by establishing project work plans, required resources and timelines.
- Monitors project progress, and proves regular updates to key stakeholders.
- Support the supervision and guidance of research assistants contributing to research projects.
- Other duties as assigned by the Director of Health Policy Research

**Qualifications**:

- A minimum of a Master’s degree in a gerontology/ageing, public policy, public health/health policy/health sciences, or another relevant field.
- A PhD in a relevant field would be an asset.
- A minimum of two years of relevant experience, which should include:

- Making a major contribution to policy-relevant health research in the ageing context, designing and conducting qualitative or quantitative research studies, conducting complex analyses and writing comprehensive research reports in a full-time role.
- Directly or indirectly supporting the communication of research results to external audiences.
- Working in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects and overlapping deadlines.
- Excellent understanding and knowledge of Canada’s health research and policy landscape, and strategies to address associated health system challenges and improve outcomes.
- Experience coordinating complex research projects and collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Proven ability to gather, synthesize and analyze complex information from a variety of sources and draw conclusions from it.
- Proven ability to identify trends in data and research.
- Excellent time management, organizat