Are you passionate about building capacity and driving innovation in patient-oriented research? Join the CHILD-BRIGHT Network as Co-Lead of the Training & Capacity Building Program.

The CHILD-BRIGHT Network is a pan-Canadian patient-oriented research network with offices in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, and members across the country. Created in 2016, it works to create brighter futures for children and youth with brain-based developmental disabilities and their families. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) under Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) and 15 funding partners across the country, our national network includes 500 researchers, clinicians, decision-makers, youth, and parents.

The CHILD-BRIGHT Network is currently seeking applicants to fill the position of Co-Lead of the Training & Capacity Building Program.

CHILD-BRIGHT’s Training & Capacity Building (T&CB) Program team is responsible for the training and mentoring opportunities provided across the network. Engaging with multiple groups, including partners with lived and living experience (PWLE), researchers, trainees, and policymakers, we aim to foster a culture of patient-oriented research that will not only positively affect the future of health research within Canada, but also lead to improved outcomes for children with brain-based developmental disabilities and their families.  

In Phase 2 of our Network, the T&CB Program continues to develop capacity in patient-oriented research, while offering new training opportunities on topics related to understanding and applying implementation science and knowledge mobilization methods, and equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization and Indigenization principles.  

In co-leading the T&CB Program, the individual will work closely with the current co-lead, who is based in Toronto, and the training coordinator, based in Vancouver. The co-leads and coordinator will meet weekly, the full T&CB committee meets monthly, and as needed meetings are set-up to support ongoing activities. All meetings are held virtually. The co-lead spends 4-5 hours per week on work for the network, although the amount of time varies from week to week. The co-leads may also serve as a member of the network’s Executive Committee. 

AMONG THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CO-LEAD ARE THE FOLLOWING: 

  1. Help to lead and plan the T&CB Program, including planning internal committee meetings, and responding to actions after each meeting.  

  2. Help to plan and organize learning sessions, mainly webinars, on topics related to the network-related topics (implementation science, etc.). 

  3. Support planning of training opportunities for undergraduate summer students. 

  4. Support the recruitment process and ongoing learning opportunities for postdoctoral fellows.  

  5. Support the delivery and decision-making processes for small funding opportunities provided by the committee.  

  6. Advising on the budget to make sure spending aligns with the program’s goals and supports effective decision-making. 

  7. Assist in creating an evaluation plan to measure and improve the impact of the program’s funding and training activities. 

  8. Review and approve regular reports on the program’s work, accomplishments, and challenges. 

  9. Represent the T&CB Program in meetings with the Network Steering Committee and sharing updates on progress. 

  10. Support delivery of virtual symposia for the network.  

  11. Building connections and partnerships with other training programs and organizations across Canada. 

IDEALLY THE CO-LEAD WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING: 

  1. Strong interest in education, training, and capacity building related to patient-oriented research, implementation science, knowledge mobilization, and equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization and Indigenization principles.   

  2. Expertise in developmental disability experiences and childhood disability research, to complement the current co-lead’s expertise in implementation science.

  3. Strong communication skills (speaking, listening and writing).

  4. Experience in patient-oriented research.

  5. Experience working with a variety of partners and groups, such as condition-specific communities, researchers, administrators, clinicians, government officials, funding agencies, other SPOR entities and child health organizations.

  6. Experience of effective leadership in programs, initiatives or organizations.

  7. Ability to speak French is an asset.

SHOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE Submit a resume and A BRIEF LETTER OF INTEREST, MAXIMUM 250 WORDS, THAT addresses THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: 

  1. Why are you interested in this position? 

  2. What skills and experience do you have that are relevant to the role? 

  3. How do you envision enhancing the training opportunities provided across the Network?  

CHILD-BRIGHT is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, decolonization, and Indigenization. We welcome applications from members of racialized minorities, women, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit persons, persons with disabilities, persons of various sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.  

If you are a person with a brain-based developmental disability or a parent or other family member who has been much involved in the care of a child/youth with such a disability, you are welcome to apply. You will be compensated for your time at 5 hours per week for up to 2 years. For academics, this is a non-compensated role.

Should you require accommodations for the application process or if you have questions, please contact us.

We request that you submit your resume and Letter of Interest by no later than 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 17 2025. Please note that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.