Epidemiologist, BORN Ontario, Temporary Full-Time (1.0) (until June 2028)

Compensation Pay Range:

Job Description:

Please Note: If you are a current CHEO employee with access to Workday, please apply to this posting via the Workday application as an internal applicant using the Jobs Hub.

To successfully apply for this position, please submit your application by 11:59 pm the day before the advertised closing date in the posting to ensure your application is received.

Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.

CHEO is one of the few stand-alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system.

Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world-class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.

Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario

Funded by the Government of Ontario and administered by CHEO, the Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) is Ontario's prescribed perinatal, newborn, and child registry with the role of facilitating quality care for families across the province. BORN collects, interprets, shares, and rigorously protects high-quality data essential to making Ontario one of the safest places in the world to have a baby. BORN also manages Prenatal Screening Ontario, whose mandate is to coordinate and oversee the operations of prenatal screening services in Ontario, supporting a cohesive and high-quality screening system.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Epidemiologist leads complex epidemiological research, surveillance, program evaluation, and information quality initiatives to advance maternal, child, and population health outcomes. The role provides expert analysis and interpretation of health data, identifies trends, risks, and information quality issues, and develops evidence-based recommendations to support decision-making. Working collaboratively with internal and external partners, the Epidemiologist leads research and quality improvement initiatives, contributes to data governance, and supports the responsible use and dissemination of BORN Ontario data.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, develops and conducts complex epidemiological and/or biostatistical surveillance and research studies involving multi-disciplinary teams comprised of internal and external stakeholders.

• Leads project teams conducting surveillance, risk assessment and investigations.

• Critically evaluates and assesses epidemiological/statistical and other scientific evidence, targeted surveillance and research activities and methodologies to identify and evaluate risk factors to public health, identify information gaps and validate the integrity of the data and scientific methodology.

• Contributes expertise to the development of epidemiological research studies – including methodologies, approaches and models.

• Manages projects, resolves methodological and other problems, and ensures appropriate analysis and interpretation of the data/results.

• Writes or edits grants protocols, proposals, comprehensive study reports/papers/publications with findings, conclusions, and evidence-based recommendations to enhance efforts for the prevention, mitigation or control of health risks and/or adverse outcomes in assigned area. Works with team members to ensures appropriate dissemination of this information. Stimulates the improvement or development of public health interventions at the provincial and national level.

• Represents BORN Ontario at various regional, provincial, national and international committees and meetings.

• Develops and provides professional, expert advice, intelligence and recommendations to BORN Ontario team members, and hospital, public health, LHIN and MOHLTC groups as requested.

• Establishes, fosters and expands consultative networks with relevant stakeholders.

• Participates in professional development activities for the epidemiology field such as peer review of journal publications, reports, and theses; develops executive-level briefings, presentations, and responses to inquiries about data from BORN Ontario stakeholders.

• Leads the assessment and improvement of information quality across BORN Ontario data holdings by identifying systemic issues, evaluating their impact, and recommending evidence-based improvements to data collection, validation, and use.

• Provides epidemiological expertise within the Information Quality portfolio, including the development of data quality measures, investigation of emerging trends and anomalies, and evaluation of whether data remain fit for clinical, operational, research, and reporting purposes.

• Contributes to data governance by supporting the development and application of clear data definitions, standards, accountabilities, and decision-making processes, ensuring that changes are evidence-informed and balance data value, collection burden, privacy, and operational feasibility.

• Performs other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s’ degree in epidemiology (Essential)

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience including strong experience in program evaluation (Essential)

• Strong research, analytical and communication skills (Essential)

• Experience in perinatal health and epidemiologic research in this area (Essential)

• Ability to identify and analyze, trends and changes in disease and corresponding risk factors, contributory factors, incidence and prevalence rates, outcomes and other relevant epidemiological measures (Essential)

• Competence in SAS and data linkage (Essential)

• Working experience with Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) data (Essential)

• Demonstrated knowledge of research and research methods (Essential)

• Experience with statistical software and database development, management and analysis (Essential)

• Criminal Record Check (Level 1) (Essential)

• Bilingualism (French/English) (Preferred)

*Timeline may be extended or shortened based on operational needs.

**Please note you will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). Please note that this position will be based out of Ottawa. Please note that location may be subject to change at any time at the discretion of the employer. All OPSEU members shall be granted an interview upon passing the pre-screening.  Pre-screening might include testing.

Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre-screening and evaluation process. This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested.

Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Please note you will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

Welcome

CHEO is much more than a hospital. Our commitment to outstanding care and continued development impacts every part of a child and youth's health and well-being. We play a crucial role in building a healthy future for our community. Working at CHEO means a rewarding career.

A career at CHEO provides a:

• competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

• unique culture that fosters dedication, communication, respect and teamwork

• place where your opinions will be respected, contributions valued and your initiatives rewarded

• family-friendly environment that supports you and your own family, as well as the children, youth and families we serve

• chance to grow — personally and professionally — through our comprehensive orientation program and on-the-job learning

• support for continued education and learning

• potential for a relocation reimbursement benefit

• truly unique work environment

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