Careers

The University of Manitoba is a driving force of innovation, discovery and advancement. Our momentum is propelled by our campus community – UM faculty, staff and students whose determination and curiosity shape our world for the better. Our teaching, learning and work environment is uniquely strengthened and enriched by Indigenous perspectives. With two main campuses in Winnipeg, satellite campuses throughout Manitoba, and world-wide research, UM’s impact is global.

Discover outstanding employee benefits, experience world-class facilities and join a dynamic community that values reconciliation, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. We are one of Manitoba’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. At the University of Manitoba, what inspires you can change everything.

Job Description

The Associate Director of the Manitoba Population Health Research Data Repository (Repository), at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (MCHP), bears the primary responsibility for the management, expansion, operation, ongoing maintenance, access to and use of the Repository. As a member of the MCHP Executive Team, the incumbent assists the Director of MCHP in the strategic planning, budgeting and management activities for the entire research centre.

Work Performed

• Directs the analysis of information processing requirements and integration of these requirements into a unified systems design;
• Directs the development, testing and implementation of new or enhanced systems;
• Directs the various operations required to effectively utilize new and existing information processing systems to maintain and expand a research Repository which currently includes over 200 million computerised health, education and social database records, dating back to 1970, linkable at an individual level across sectors within a privacy secure environment.
• Works with external partners, such as Manitoba Health and others, in linkage, de-identification processes, and secure data transfer.
• Directs the secure and appropriate access, use and disclosure of the Repository data requested for all research projects (314 as at December 4, 2023).
• Directs the detailed documentation required for each discrete dataset (97 as at December 4, 2023) ensuring that this documentation is in a research friendly format and available via the web.
• Oversees the development and implementation of a new novel approach to storing and accessing Repository data to provide researchers outside of MCHP (and Manitoba) with access to the Repository within a privacy secure environment.
• Participates in the evaluation and analysis of computer equipment, forecasting the future resource requirements, budget and personnel planning and administration, coordination of IT and technical staff training, the ongoing development and implementation of privacy compliant standards, policies, and procedures for the acquisition of new data as well as access and use the data.
• Liaises with similar organizations across Canada and represents MCHP on provincial and national committees and working groups.

The incumbent represents Manitoba in the work of the Health Data Research Network Canada (HDRN Canada), a pan-Canadian initiative to enable research across provinces using administrative data in provincial Repositories. Some activities the incumbent will be responsible for as part of HDRN Canada include:

• the development of common data models and information pivot points to facilitate distributed/federated analytics;
• improving metadata and bibliographies about data and their limitations;
• addressing Indigenous sovereignty ownership and use of data about Indigenous Peoples; and
• working with privacy officers from across Canada to develop pan-Canadian privacy frameworks to govern the use of routinely collected data, and addressing the inequities within the data.

Over the next five years the incumbent will lead innovations in data management and use, focusing on ensuring that policies and procedures related to access and use of the information housed in the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository adhere to legislative frameworks for ethics, privacy and within data sharing agreements while meeting key strategic priorities: (i) ensure Indigenous Data Sovereignty is followed, (ii) support the application of data equity frameworks is applied to the management, curation and use of the Repository, (iii) position the Repository to be used in multi-regional research, (iv) apply a client-focused approach to enhance users’ experiences when applying for access and use of the information housed in the Repository

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related discipline (e.g., Information Science, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics) is required. A PhD in a related discipline is preferred.

Required Experience

• Studies in database management, data mining, artificial intelligence or natural language processing, intermediate and advanced statistics.
• Training in Management/Leadership.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.
• Experience with data governance frameworks, including Indigenous Data Sovereignty, OCAP, FAIR, Five Safes, EGAP, etc.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the development and implementation of computer systems for the management, control, access, and use of large, complex data repositories.
• Demonstrated expert experience in the design and implementation of a population research data repository, containing extremely sensitive data
• Demonstrated expert experience in the use of complex population data in data science, artificial intelligence, epidemiology, population health and health services research.
• Experience of innovating and implementing new processes and procedures and managing staff through change.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience in data management; systems design, testing and evaluation.
• Extensive experience in the preparation of statistical and scientific reports.
• Proficient in techniques for Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and AI.
• Proficient in SAS programming, R, Python programming and other analytic packages.
• Expert management, interpersonal and supervisory skill including the ability to develop and manage budgets and timelines.
• Capable of effectively handling several concurrent tasks.
• Ability to connect with clients, listen to their needs and manage their expectations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with all levels of administration, provincial and national organizations, and the public.
• Ability to work independently and as a team leader.
• Certification in Management/ Leadership preferred.

Why the University of Manitoba?

Along with being one of Manitoba’s top employers, we are proud to provide a collaborative and enriching work environment. In addition to a strong compensation package with a competitive salary, the University provides an exceptional workplace that includes:

• Comprehensive group benefits and pension plan.
• Competitive vacation time.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• A full spectrum of professional development opportunities.

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204.474.7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.