by Marie-Eve Carrier | Aug 25, 2021

SPIN is currently seeking applicants for a Full-time Research Assistant position in patient-engaged health research. Please see the job description for more details.

Dr. Brett Thombs
McGill University and Jewish General Hospital
4333 Cote Saint Catherine Road, Montreal, QC, H3T 1E4
Website: https://www.thombsresearchteam.ca/

The Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network (SPIN: www.spinsclero.com) is looking for a candidate to fill a full-time research assistant position within our team at the Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital.

Scleroderma is a rare chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by abnormal fibrotic processes and excessive collagen production, which leads to substantial damage to the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. Common problems faced by people with scleroderma include limitations in hand function and mobility, pain, fatigue, constant itch, depression, and body image distress from disfiguring aspects of the disease.

SPIN was created to bring together people living with scleroderma, healthcare professionals who care for them, and scleroderma researchers from around the world to develop and test accessible patient support tools for scleroderma patients, including self-management, rehabilitation, psychological, and educational tools. SPIN’s mission is to help scleroderma patients live better lives with their disease and to serve as a model of a way forward for other rare diseases.

SPIN maintains an international patient cohort of over 2,000 patients from 8 countries and has developed or is finalizing development of different online patient programs, including a hand exercise program, a program to support positive emotional coping with scleroderma, a program to help patients cope with body image distress due to disfiguring aspects of the disease, and a training program for individuals with scleroderma who lead patient support groups. SPIN is also beginning a feasibility with progression to full-scale randomized controlled trial of a scleroderma disease self-management program.

The tasks of the research assistant may include:

Calling research participants

Answering voicemail/email messages from research participants and resolving requests/problems

Keeping track of patient progress by entering logs in an online system

Helping to draft and review ethics and grant submissions

Assisting with the development and testing of patient support interventions

Helping with other organizational tasks related to a range of SPIN projects, including assisting in the implementation of SPIN interventions such as the upcoming feasibility trial with progression to full-scale trial to test the effectiveness of a scleroderma disease self-management program.

The candidate must meet the following qualifications:

Fluency in English (spoken and written) and French (spoken; written French an asset)

Degree in psychology, health sciences, social sciences, or related field with strong academic record

Good interpersonal skills and strong capacity for teamwork

Excellent computer skills

Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills

Ability to meet deadlines

Initiative and flexibility

Research experience in psychology or related discipline

Should be able to commit for at least one and ideally two year

Salary: To be determined based on institutional guidelines and candidate experience.

Start date: September 2021.

To apply: Applicants should send (1) a cover letter explaining their interest in the position and how this would support their career goals, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) an unofficial transcript, and (4) an English writing sample and (if possible) an additional writing sample in French, to Marie- Eve Carrier at carrier.marie.eve@gmail.com). Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. French language capacity will be assessed during interview.