Research Compliance Officer

Location

Waterloo, ON | Canada

Job description

Application Deadline: March 13, 2024

Requisition ID: 7358 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenizationand commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 19,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policyand employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Our locations are situated on the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishnawbe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their intentions to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming and co-curricular activities. Laurier’s Centre for Indigegogy is one example of how Laurier honours Indigenous knowledge.

Position Summary

The Research Compliance Officer (RCO) serves as the primary liaison between the Animal Care Committee (ACC), the Research Ethic Board (REB) and researchers and/or their research teams. The RCO coordinates all aspects of the submission, review, revision, and approval processes for protocols submitted to the (ACC) and is responsible for coordinating the institutional assessment visits for the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), including the preparation of assessment documentation. In addition to the ACC duties, the RCO also facilitates the review process for a portion of the human research ethics protocols submitted to the institutional REB, including the review and approval of new applications and modification requests. The position requires an in-depth knowledge of national and international standards, ethical principles, regulatory requirements, and institutional policies in both animal and human research. The RCO is required to interpret policies and guidelines and apply their interpretations to uniquely complex ethical and compliance related questions daily and clearly communicate rationale for their decisions or interpretations to individuals with a broad range of knowledge of the human and animal research ethics processes. Working closely with the Committee Chairs, the Associate Director, Post-Award Services, and the Research Ethics Officer, the RCO develops Laurier’s research ethics policies, guidelines & procedures to ensure compliance with relevant external (e.g., government) requirements and recommends changes to policy / procedures when necessary. Additionally, the RCO develops, coordinates, and conducts ethics training workshops for new committee members, faculty, staff, and students.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities

Research Ethics

Animal Care

• Coordinates activities of the ACC and its sub-committees including development of agenda, minutes, and preparation of ethics review feedback for animal research projects
• Manages the processes for the post-approval monitoring, pedagogical merit review, and scientific merit review for relevant animal research projects.
• Liaises with animal researchers regarding their submissions including new animal utilization protocols, protocol amendments and annual renewals; coordinates outstanding revisions/responses, missing documents, disapproved submissions.
• Interprets international, national, provincial, and institutional policies, procedures and guidelines relating to animal care and communicates these policies, procedures and guidelines to members of Laurier’s research community.
• Drafts new guidelines, procedures, and standard operating procedures related to animal care ethics.
• Coordinates the required CCAC assessment and certification process (occurs every 3 years): creates and submits assessment documentation and required responses; coordinates assessment visits to Laurier’s animal care research sites with relevant parties (CCAC assessment panel, Laurier’s ACC, animal researchers), ensuring Laurier receives its Certificate of Good Animal Practice
• Works closely with the ACC Chair, the Associate Director, Post-Award Services, and the Manager, Animal Care Facilities to implement decisions of the ACC.
• Creates an annual report about the ongoing activities of the ACC for the Senate Committee on Research and Publications (SCRAP)

Human Ethics

• Coordinates, in a timely manner, the human research ethics review process between the REB and undergraduate, graduate and faculty in their functional area
• Acts as the point person for research ethics inquiries from students, staff, faculty, and external researchers from their functional area
• Provides consultation to students, staff, faculty, and external researchers regarding compliance obligations according to institutional, provincial, and national and provincial requirements (e.g., the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans [TCPS2])
• Provides advice and assistance about Laurier’s ethics review process, policies, and guidelines.
• Working closely with the Research Compliance Officer, drafts new guidelines and/or procedures related to human research ethics requirements.
• Acts as a second REB reviewer, providing comments and feedback, on a portion of new REB applications.
• On behalf of the REB Chair, reviews and approves revised documents to ensure they address reviewer comments and meet all required ethical standards, policies and guidelines.
• On behalf of REB Chair, reviews and approves modifications to existing protocols for compliance with required ethical standards, policies, and guidelines.
• Promptly and effectively responds to telephone and/or email inquiries from students, staff, faculty, and external researchers.
• Addresses individuals who may be upset as a result of disappointing feedback from the ethics review process; must be empathetic and exercise good judgment in carefully considering individual circumstances and is responsible for guiding individuals on alternative options.
• Serves as a resource for researchers on complex regulations and guidelines governing the ethical conduct of research and on REB requirements.
• Communicates and coordinates with the Chair, Vice-Chair, or other REB members as applicable to facilitate a final decision, when necessary
• Interprets international, national, provincial and institutional policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the ethics review process and communicates these policies, procedures and guidelines to members of Laurier’s research community.

Biosafety

• As a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee, ensures that all funded research projects involving biohazards or radiation have received all necessary approvals.

Software Operations & Management

• As a system administrator for the animal care committee portal, controls system access and uploads documents to the portal for committee members and researchers
• Working closely with the Research Ethics Officer, develops and maintains online forms, workflow processes and testing of new components for the human research ethics system (Romeo); Recommends system changes to vendor.
• Generates reports and statistics as required.

Training

• Provides individual, group and classroom-based instruction and guidance to applicants in their functional area who are engaged in research with human participants on the use of ethically sound research procedures, the REB review process, and TCPS guidelines to students and faculty.
• Maintains relevant training material and updates as needed based on changes to policies, and/or to adapt the material to the appropriate audience.
• Trains new ACC members

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree, with a master’s preferred, in a research-related field (i.e., health or social sciences with an understanding of the ethical frameworks for research with humans and animals)
• 3 years of experience in a human and animal research ethics administration role required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current ethical standards and requirements for research involving humans and animals (e.g., TCPS, CCAC policies and guidelines)
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to communicate credibly and persuasively with applicants who have a broad range of knowledge and experience with the human and animal research ethics processes; Ability to apply discretion and a diplomatic approach as required and manage confidential information and situations.
• Excellent judgment and ability to manage ambiguity and uncertainty, including troubleshooting problems; Exceptional analysis and decision-making skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills with the ability to analyze and interpret inquiries and explain complex regulations and policy requirements in a clear and concise manner.
• Excellent software use and management skills
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to multi-task and prioritize jobs to meet deadlines.
• Appreciation of diverse perspectives and ability to work with diverse groups including members of the university administration, faculty, staff, students, and external researchers.

This position has not been deemed eligible for educational equivalencies. 

Hours of Work

This is a full-time, continuing position. The regular hours of work are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Flexibility in hours may be required due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). In-person attendance for events, as required to meet operational needs, is expected. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.

Compensation

Level: E

Rate of Pay: $39.89 to $42.17 with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $45.59.

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Job Evaluation Factor Scores  

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careersfor additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Job tags

Salary