Officer, Research Ethics - BC Cancer - Vancouver

Officer, Research Ethics

BC Cancer

Vancouver, BC  

The Officer, Research Ethics operationally reports to the Director, BC Cancer Research Ethics and is also accountable to the Chair and/or Vice-Chair of the BC Cancer Research Ethics Board (“REB”), and works collaboratively with UBC Office for Research and UBC Research Ethics Boards, as well as various provincial and national regulatory, academic, and health bodies.  The Officer is responsible for facilitating the operation and review of all aspects of research ethics, compliance, and integrity standards, policies, and procedures relating to human research (clinical and behavioural) undertaken at BC Cancer.

What you’ll do

• Provide advice and guide industry sponsors or their representatives (eg pharmaceutical companies, CCTG, CROs, etc), the BC Cancer research community, as well as the REB Chair/Vice-Chair, and REB Committee members, with respect to legislative, regulatory, policy, and standard operating procedures for conducting human research at BC Cancer and UBC.
• Review and monitor all human research ethics applications and relevant documents throughout the life of a project to ensure compliance with Canadian, US, and international legislation, regulations, and guidelines, as well as local (ie BC Cancer and UBC) policies and procedures.
• Independently assess the risk level of all human research ethics applications and determines if they require full board review or meet criteria for minimal risk/delegated review.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of provincial, national, and international legislation, regulations, standards, and policies associated with human research participant protections, and along with the BC Cancer Director, Research Ethics, and REB Chair/Vice-Chair, identifies implications for BC Cancer and develops and implements processes, procedures, and policies to maintain compliance.
• Analyze full board and minimal risk/delegated applications, amendments, and annual renewals, synthesizing identified deficiencies from study documentation, and making written recommendations as to compliance with legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures, and then distributing same to the REB Chair/Vice-Chair and/or members.
• Proactively lead, develop and deliver education and training programs and tools, and leads awareness initiatives in collaboration with the Director and REB Chair to educate/train the BC Cancer research community, trainees, and REB members on areas related to compliance of ethical and other standards in research involving human subject, REB processes and procedures, and the RISe system.
• Monitor and organize the attendance of REB members so as to ensure quorum requirements are met in order for the monthly meeting to proceed, and ensures that quorum is maintained throughout the meeting to guarantee compliance with Canadian and US federal regulations and policies.
• Contribute to REB meeting discussions as required to promote consistency in decision-making, to promote compliance with applicable legislation and regulations, and to provide advice on BC Cancer and UBC policies, procedures, and guidelines, and to record the minutes of the meeting on discussions and decisions.
• Consolidate discussion and written comments from REB Chair/Vice-Chair and members into a single document and provides timely notification of these to researchers.
• First point of contact and work with researchers/industry sponsors to help them understand REB decisions, and provides input and suggestions on suitable responses to both full board and delegated review provisos. 
• Review incoming responses from researchers/industry sponsors for compliance with REB requests for modifications, and requests changes if necessary, prior to final review by the REB Chair/Vice-Chair. 
• Foster collaborative relationships with the research community and institutions served by BC Cancer Research Ethics and serves as a liaison between BC Cancer Research Ethics and applicable institutional departments (e.g., Provincial Clinical Trials Unit, Data and Analytics, Technology and Development Office, etc) on general research ethics and BC Cancer Research Ethics policy matters.
• Work collaboratively and consultatively with the UBC Office for Research Ethics, UBC Research Ethics Boards, and other academic institutions and health authorities to promote effective and consistent communication, policies, and procedures within the broader BC research community. This includes assisting with the development and maintenance of web-based resources, tools, and systems, and communicating requirements to the research community through seminars, newsletter, or bulletins.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What you bring

Qualifications:

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in a Health or Social Sciences discipline plus a minimum of six years’ specialist expertise from working within a highly regulated environment such as research ethics or clinical research in a hospital or university setting with emphasis on regulations, legislation, and guidelines governing the protection of human research participants (in both Canadian and US contexts).
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies:

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.)

You have:

• Expert knowledge of medical, clinical and research (clinical and behavioural) terminology, and Canadian, US, and international legislation, regulation, guidelines and governance structures relating to human research and research ethics;
• Ability to provide guidance and direction to others regarding the interpretation and application of Canadian, US, and international legislation, regulation, guidelines and governance structures relating to human research and research ethics;
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively to prioritize a high volume of work to meet deadlines, resolve issues, and to be flexible to meet and adapt to changes in external and internal priorities;
• Demonstrated analytical skills and the ability to exercise judgment within a highly regulated environment;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to provide leadership and training to diverse stakeholder groups in order to promote an efficient and effective team based environment;
• Experience with design and delivery of training programs;
• Advanced computer literacy with word processing, spreadsheets and database software (specifically, the RISe system).Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring 

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (Until April 30, 2027)

Salary Range: $74,618 - $107,264. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Location: 750 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K1

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work: Monday - Friday; 0800-1600/0900-1700.

Requisition Number: 191769E

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia. BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:  

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on December 2, 2025, and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days. 

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.