Position Profile 

Chair, Research Ethics Board 

Location:         Onsite at Humber River Hospital (Wilson site), Toronto, Ontario, Canada 

Type:                Part time, temporary — 0.2 FTE (1 day/week), September 02, 2025 to September 02, 2027

                          (with an option to extend). 

Start date:       1 Position available, start date to be negotiated.  

Overview of Role 

Humber River Health (HRH) is seeking qualified candidates to apply as Chair of its Research Ethics Board (REB). The Chair will help lead HRH's REB in ensuring rigorous ethical oversight of all research involving human participants. The mandate of the REB is to review the ethical conduct of research involving human participants conducted under the auspices of HRH. The REB will contribute to the creation of a healthy community by ensuring that all research involving human participants meets current scientific and ethical standards. The REB reports to the Board of Directors of HRH.  

The Chair works with the REB, Research Ethics Office (REO), the researchers, and clinicians of HRH to ensure the research being conducted at the hospital is designed and conducted in such a manner that protects the rights, welfare, and privacy of research participants. This role requires a commitment of one day per week, and the appointment is for a renewable two-year term. 

Responsibilities 

• Oversee the operations of the REB and lead and manage REO staff.
• Be responsible for maintaining the composition of the REB of at least five members and confirming that it meets appropriate regulatory guidelines.
• Ensure all REB members, in conjunction with the REO staff have the appropriate qualifications and training.
• Encourage all REB members to freely participate in discussions.
• Ensure that there are no conflicts of interest between any of the attending members and the studies being reviewed.
• Establish and develop, in conjunction with the REO, ethics support services to help the with the review of REB submissions.
• Ensure in conjunction with the REO that all SOPs pertaining to research projects conducted at HRH are maintained and up to date.
• Work with researchers to ensure that studies follow the appropriate standards/regulations.
• Respond to any requests from senior leadership and the HRH Board of Directors on research ethics.
• Review, in conjunction with the REO all submitted proposals including new studies, amendments, continuing reviews, and other submissions as applicable.
• Delegate review responsibilities as required.
• Ensure all research reviews are conducted in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Authorize all communications sent from the REB/REO.
• Attend and chair all REB meetings.
• Prepare, in conjunction with the REO an annual report of research ethics metrics.
• Participate in other activities requiring expertise of the REB Chair (e.g., TAHSN meetings, advising HRH researchers and clinician-scientists regarding research ethics).

Knowledge and Skills

• Background/experience conducting clinical or health services research.
• Experience as a member of an REB at an academic hospital (required).
• Strong working knowledge of research ethics, including all standards and guidelines required for human research studies (e.g., TCPS-2, Good Clinical Practice, and Privacy).
• Knowledge of the processes involved in clinical trials and health services research, including digital health.
• Knowledge of various research methodologies (e.g., qualitative/quantitative methodologies), and statistics.
• Collaborative, interpersonal, and committed to research, personal and academic integrity. Strong leadership, diplomacy, and relationship management skills. Able to problem solve and think critically, has strong oral and written communication skills, as well as meeting management and facilitation skills.

Qualifications 

• MD with a Certificate of Registration in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

To Apply

Applications will be accepted until 5pm on Tuesday July 01, 2025.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by sending a curriculum-vitae and cover letter summarizing your relevant experience and background in research ethics. 

Application package should be submitted to:

Justin Grant, PhD, MBA
Vice President, Research and Innovation

Send via email:  MedicalRecruitment@hrh.ca.