Position Title: Mental Health & Addictions Scientist – Temporary Full Time 1 year

Department: Research – Mental Health & Addictions Program
Reports To: VP Academic & Research Impact, HSN & HSNRI
Location: Health Sciences North, Sudbury, Ontario
Salary: To be determined

Position Summary

The Mental Health & Addictions (MHA) Scientist serves as a lead research scientist supporting HSN & HSNRI’s Mental Health & Addictions Research Program. This position bridges hospital-based research, clinical teams, and academic partners (including NOSM University and Laurentian University) to drive quality improvement, evaluation, and innovation in mental health and addictions care.

The Scientist will work closely with stakeholders and staff, ensuring strong collaboration and alignment in research design, data analysis, and program evaluation. Together, they will strengthen research capacity, improve data-driven decision-making, and enhance evidence-based care within the Mental Health & Addictions Program.

Responsibilities

Research Leadership, Coordination & Collaboration

• Lead and coordinate research and program evaluation projects in mental health and addictions.
• Collaborate with clinical and administrative teams to identify research priorities and integrate findings into practice.
• Serve as liaison between HSNRI, HSN, NOSM University, Laurentian University, and other academic or community partners.
• Manage multiple grant-funded studies through planning, execution, analysis, and knowledge dissemination.
• Supervise and mentor research staff, including coordinators, assistants, and learners.
• Ensure research design and methodologies are rigorous, ethical, and aligned with institutional standards.
• Work closely with and provide mentorship and methodological guidance to mental health & addictions research staff on research design and data analysis’
• Foster a collaborative research culture that integrates clinical and academic teams to advance shared goals.

Knowledge Translation and Dissemination

• Publish research findings, prepare manuscripts, and present results at scientific and community forums.
• Develop policy briefs and reports for clinical and community stakeholders.
• Promote the uptake of evidence-based practices within the HSN Mental Health & Addictions Program.

Grant Development and Sustainability

• Lead and contribute to grant writing efforts to secure funding for research initiatives.
• Identify funding opportunities and manage project budgets with Finance and Research Operations.
• Collaborate with external partners to support research growth and sustainability.

Compliance and Quality

• Ensure all research activities comply with HSN ethics, privacy, and data governance standards.

• Maintain high ethical standards in research conduct and supervision.

• Participate in quality assurance, data audits, and continuous improvement activities.

Qualifications

Education

• PhD in health sciences, behavioural sciences, psychology, addictions, public health, or related field.

Experience

• Extensive experience in clinical or applied research in mental health and/or addictions.

• Experience working with ICES or other large administrative health databases and complying with related privacy regulations

• Proven ability to design, lead, and manage research studies through all phases.

• Experience supervising and mentoring research staff and learners

• Ability to supervise graduate students enrolled in Masters and PhD Programs at NOSM University and/or Laurentian University.

• Strong publication record and ability to present at scientific conferences.

• Experience collaborating with healthcare and academic institutions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and statistical analysis.
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills.
• Knowledge of research ethics, privacy laws, and data governance.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with clinical, academic, and community partners.

Personal Suitability

• Strategic thinker with passion for improving mental health and addictions research.

• Collaborative leader who mentors and empowers others.

• Integrity, professionalism, and alignment with HSN & HSNRI’s mission and values.

• Self-motivated, adaptable, and effective in a dynamic healthcare research setting.

Salary – to be determined