Research Program Lead

Please note our office is closed December 24 2025 - January 1 2026 inclusive. Candidates selected for an interview will not be contacted until the new year.

The Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE) is a trailblazing Crown corporation backed by the Government of Alberta dedicated to transforming the recovery journey for individuals facing mental illness and addiction. By providing decision-makers with cutting‑edge data evidence and actionable insights, CoRE paves the way for impactful recovery solutions.

Through groundbreaking research, world‑class data and analytics expertise, and strong collaborations, CoRE is driving meaningful change at every level of the system. With an unwavering commitment to real‑world results, CoRE is not just supporting recovery – its shaping a brighter future for all Albertans.

As a trusted advisor to governments, healthcare professionals, and global leaders, CoRE empowers communities to deliver recovery‑focused mental health and addiction services that truly make a difference.

The Research Program Lead is responsible for conducting research in mental health and addictions services and implementation science activities. Under the direction of the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Executive Director of Evaluation and Research, this role leads investigations in collaboration with research teams and may initiate projects based on their own ideas aligned with CoRE’s priorities. The Research Program Lead uses their expertise to advise policy makers and stakeholders on key addiction and mental health related policy and practice.

This role leverages experience and expertise to advance CoRE’s priorities by building research teams, strengthening capacity, and improving processes. Key responsibilities include measuring CoRE’s progress toward its mission and evaluating the effectiveness of the ROSC in Alberta. The Research Program Lead delivers high‑impact and policy‑relevant research that informs recovery‑oriented services and drives improvements in mental health and substance use disorder outcomes for Albertans.

• Lead and oversee mixed methods and implementation science research projects including both applied health services research and studies aimed in response to questions regarding publicly funded mental health and addiction programs.
• Manage research projects end‑to‑end from conception and design to data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Ensure research designs meet ethical standards for screening or submission to a research ethics board.
• Oversee the management of research projects including timelines and budgets where applicable.
• Oversee research processes and quality control ensuring adherence to privacy, confidentiality and security protocols for self and supervised staff.
• Monitor relevant literature to identify practice innovation in the research program area and inform stakeholders of new developments.
• Direct analysis of research data and literature reviews in collaboration with other investigators.
• Communicate research findings in clear language adjusted to the audience in collaboration with other investigators.
• Interpret research findings for policymakers in context including developing policy options, briefing notes and presentations.
• Direct ethics submission and manuscript writing in collaboration with other investigators.
• Evaluate programs and services of the Alberta Recovery Model.

• Engage effectively with project stakeholders including managers and program staff, policymakers, participants, individuals with lived experience and their families, and if required the public.
• Train research staff for appropriate and effective interaction with research/evaluation participants including general information recruitment consent data collection (via surveys/interviews) and follow‑up.
• Respond to public and stakeholder queries for specific and detailed information about research/evaluation projects in collaboration with Communications professionals and as approved by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or CSO.
• Stay current with developments in the field by…