Scientific Advisor; temporary

Scientific Advisor (temporary, until March 26, 2027)

154 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5H 3Y9, Canada

Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA‑AMC) is a pan‑Canadian health organization. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization with offices in Ottawa and Toronto. Created and funded by Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments, we drive better coordination, alignment, and public value within Canada’s drug, health technology, and health systems landscape. We provide health system leaders in Canada with independent evidence and advice, empowering them to make informed decisions about drugs, health technologies, and broader health system strategies and investments, and we collaborate with national and international partners to enhance our collective impact.

CDA‑AMC was named 1 of the National Capital Region’s top employers for the third year in a row. This recognition celebrates our dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment that nurtures growth and innovation. It reaffirms our ongoing efforts to create an outstanding workplace where our employees thrive and feel valued.

At CDA‑AMC, employees participate in a hybrid workspace arrangement that allows for flexibility and enhanced work‑life balance. We believe in the positive impact of in‑person collaboration and the importance of team building. This position follows a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of 2 days onsite, though this requirement may vary based on business and operational needs.

We are seeking to fill a current opening on our Science and Methods team. The Scientific Advisor contributes to CDA‑AMC reports by applying appropriate methodologies, quality standards, policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure rigorous and timely output of high‑quality reports. Scientific Advisors are also responsible for methodological development and advancement of evidence standards to ensure continued credibility of the work by CDA‑AMC.

• Conduct and review clinical evidence appraisals and provide guidance in the interpretation of statistical analyses, ensuring the application of appropriate methodologies and quality standards.
• Provide leadership in the development, maintenance, and application of quantitative methods used to appraise clinical evidence and produce the CDA‑AMC health technology assessment (HTA) reports, including:
  • Establish and align methods and quality standards with current best practices in other HTA agencies.
  • Ensure evidence appraisal and reporting are conducted in accordance with applicable quantitative methods and quality standards.
  • Provide subject‑matter expertise and guidance to CDA‑AMC employees and develop and deliver technical and educational training when required.
  • Liaise with experts, academia, external organizations or agencies (local, provincial, and national), representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, and CDA‑AMC panels and committees to discuss, promote, and align CDA‑AMC methods, approaches, and tools with current best practices to ensure scientific credibility and continuous quality improvement.
  • Assist with other Science and Methods functions as required, including but not limited to Real‑World Evidence and Scientific Advice.

• A graduate or postgraduate degree in a health‑related discipline (e.g., clinical epidemiology, pharmacy, public health, social sciences, health outcomes research, health research methods, biostatistics, statistics) or a related area of study with 2 to 5 years of relevant experience with quantitative research (clinical interventional research including patient‑reported outcomes, observational studies, and real‑world evidence) in a relevant health sector; additional related experience may serve as a suitable equivalent for completion of postsecondary education.
• Broad knowledge of appraisal methods and standards used in drug and health technology assessment, including the ability to critically evaluate clinical, economic, and real‑world evidence using established HTA frameworks and methodological guidelines.
• Experience with principles of…