Research Ethics Coordinator at Durham College

Research Ethics Coordinator
COMPETITION NO. SP25-14

About Durham College:
Durham College (DC) is a leading post-secondary institution that supports students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to the ever-changing workforce.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Durham College offers a wide range of market-driven programs across multiple disciplines, including culinary management, farming and horticulture, business, IT, construction and trades, science and technology, health care, engineering, social and community services, media, art and design.

Our modern campuses in Oshawa and Whitby offer 145 programs – including six honours bachelor’s degrees and 11 apprenticeship programs – to more than 13,700 full-time post-secondary and 2,300 apprenticeship students. In addition, more than 14,600 students participate in professional and part-time learning. More than 110,500 alumni represent the college, both locally and around the world.

A forward-looking organization committed to collaboration, innovation and sustainability, Durham College is ranked annually as one of the GTA’s Top 100 employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers and has been recognized as a Top 50 Research College in Canada, 10 times.

DC has an estimated annual economic impact of more than $913 million on Durham Region and is proud to be an active and engaged member of the communities we serve by contributing resources and expertise to enhance social and economic well-being through partnerships, investments and collaboration.

Position Information:

Part-time support opportunity (classification): Regular
Hourly rate: $33.63
Hours: up to a maximum of 24 hours per week
Reporting To: Associate Vice-President, Innovation and Research
Department: Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Campus Location: Oshawa

Duties and Responsibilities:

This position, reporting to the Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research, and working closely with other team members as well as internal and external researchers, is responsible for research ethics compliance, including training researchers and REB members, assisting researchers with the research ethics application and approval processes, tracking the status of REB applications, and managing the Research Ethics Board functions. Overall, the position ensures the effective, efficient, and compliant operations relating to the college’s research ethics practices.

Administrative Support to the REB:

• Works closely with the REB Chair to ensure a high level of collaboration and support on a high volume of research ethics applications.
  
• Provides a detailed administrative review of all incoming applications to assess the completeness of all incoming research ethics applications and communicates any missing documentation to the researchers.
  
• Guides the review of ethics applications through the submission, review and approval process, ensuring that all requirements of the TCPS2 are met.
  
• Coordinates the proceedings of monthly confidential REB “full board” meetings, providing a complete file of documents for each application, change requests, study completion reports, unanticipated events reports, and any other correspondence that may be relevant to the REB review of applications. Takes confidential meeting minutes.
  
• Prepares modification letters and letters of approval for researchers, based on the REB’s deliberations.
  
• Prepares clearance letters to individuals whose activities have been deemed to not require REB approval, as adjudicated by the REB chair.
  
• Orchestrates the delegated review process for those applications that do not require “full board” review.
  
• Orchestrates the review of course-based research, and research for students in degree programs.
  
• Initiates study completion forms and closes each REB file as appropriate.
  
• Meets monthly with the AVP and REB Chair to discuss administrative matters and training needs.

Advising:

• Advises and counsels internal and external researchers on matters of research ethics compliance and ethical human participant research practices, to ensure they submit acceptable and fully complete REB applications.
  
• Provides advice to researchers whose applications have received feedback and/or modification requirements from the REB to address the concerns to increase the likelihood of approval.
  
• Prepares ICE messages to inform the research community about upcoming policy or procedural changes, summer closure, and other relevant messages.

Institutional Permission Process:

• The Research Ethics Coordinator oversees the first qualifying step of the research ethics approval process, which requires researchers to obtain Institutional Permission based on resource requirements from across the college.
  
• Informs all researchers of the required steps and ensures their access to the required forms.
  
• Liaises with the Office of the Vice President, Academic and Students, other VPs Executive Deans, and/or Associate Deans, to submit Institutional Permission forms as required by the nature of the research.
  
• Responds to questions from the decision makers and researchers throughout this iterative process.
  
For those researchers whose research receives Institutional Permission, the Research Ethics Coordinator then moves the researcher onto the REB process
• 
  

Research Ethics Training:

• As required by the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct of Research (2022) (TCPS2), plans, coordinates, and delivers training activities for Research Ethics Board (REB) members, researchers, potential researchers, faculty/staff, and students, including an annual REB retreat, presentation at Faculty PD Day, and workshops hosted in the Centre for Innovation and Research.
  
Tracks and documents all training activities for annual reporting
• 
  

Documentation:

• Ensures detailed documentation on processes and applications are well organized and TCPS2-compliant, and ready for Tri-Agency audits.
  
• Maintains a dashboard for Academic Leadership Team displaying the status of all REB applications that are in progress.
  
• Maintains membership of the REB in compliance with the TCPS2, and works with the AVP to ensure that membership needs are addressed.Prepares letters confirming membership, for the President’s signature.
  
• Maintains and updates the detailed Durham College REB Protocols Manual, ensuring that it reflects current practices and complies with the TCPS2.
  
• Maintains electronic files for all ethics applications and related documentation, accessing to internal and external REB members.
  
• Maintains all REB forms and tools and revises as necessary.
  
• Maintains DC website and ICE content pertaining to research ethics.
  
• Prepares annual compliance report, as required by the Tri-Agency Responsible Conduct of Research framework.
  
• Other Duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a four-year post-secondary degree in health sciences or social sciences.
  
• Completion of TCPS 2: CORE-2022 (Course on Research Ethics) is required.
  
• A minimum of three-years of related experience in an office/academic/research environment is required.
  
• Strong understanding of and ability to interpret the Tri-Council Policy Statement - 2022 (TCPS2). Knowledge and understanding of Canada’s ethics review process is required. In-depth familiarity with current ethical standards and requirements for research involving humans (TCPS2). Knowledge of current and emerging developments within the research ethics environment.
  
• Strong understanding of and commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles.
  
• Strong understanding of and commitment to Indigenous matters, including reconciliation, cultural awareness, and respectful Indigenous community engagement on research. Familiarity with the principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession to guide First Nations’ data and information management and governance.
  
• Excellent customer service, relationship management skills and understanding of the customer experience, including researchers, students, and other employees.
  
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills required to build lasting relationships. Ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential issues with discretion and respect.
  
• Respectful and contributing team player and influencer with ability to work under pressure to achieve objectives and meet targets through support from others.
  
• Strong organizational skills are imperative to document, track and report on interactions and the status of each project activity. Skilled in prioritizing and triaging obligations with attention to detail in response to multiple demands and high volume.
  
• Proficiency with MS365, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams. Exposure to project management environment, including ability to prioritize tasks, anticipate issues, and effectively solve problems

Please apply below by submitting your cover letter and resume to the online portal. Job Competition closes at 8:00 p.m. EST on November 6, 2025. Competition number SP25-14.

Contact Us T:905.721.3073 [email protected]
C Wing, Second Floor - 2000 Simcoe St. N. Oshawa, ON

Durham College invites applications from all qualified individuals. Durham is committed to fostering workplace diversity, and, provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout our hiring process. If you require this information in alternate format; require communication supports; an accommodation in applying for a posting and/or if you are selected for an interview, please contact our Human Resources (HR) department and an HR assistant will work with you to meet your needs.

We thank you for your interest in employment with Durham College however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Land Acknowledgement
Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.