Research Lead

About Touchstone Institute

Touchstone Institute is the largest assessment centre of its kind in Canada providing professional competency assessment and learning programs to support the delivery of highquality health care.

Touchstone Institute is a nonprofit corporation governed by a board of directors and receives financial support from the Government of Ontario. Currently implementing a growth strategy Touchstone Institute looks to expand its impact in supporting broad health human resource solutions and by strengthening effective practice of health care professionals. Nearly 50 fulltime staff contribute to the success of the organization including experts in competency design and assessment as well as health and education program development.

Touchstone Institute works closely with physicians nurses and other healthcare providers who provide subject matter expertise to assess and improve the level of competency across individual practice. Building on its history of working to facilitate entry to training or practice for Internationally Educated Health Professionals Touchstone Institute seeks to continue the work in this area while expanding to support excellence in competent practice for all who deliver health care.

Position Description

As a member of the Touchstone Research and Analysis Team the Research Lead will provide senior level research/evaluation support to the organization to 1) implement evaluate and validate current programming 2) advance evidenceinformed decision making across programs and 3) create knowledge products to promote knowledge sharing with partners in health professions education and assessment. The Research Lead will liaise with internal stakeholders to build research and evaluation capacity at all levels of the organization. This is a oneyear contract with the possibly of extension.

Responsibilities

Current Programs
o Contribute to the development administration and evaluation of Touchstone assessment and learning programs.
o Lead endtoend research and evaluation projects from conceptualization to the development of knowledge products under the guidance of the managing Director.
o Conduct focused literature reviews and create evidence summaries to support program development validation and research projects.
o Consult with Touchstone staff and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to development products and services (e.g. exam blueprints competency frameworks) using assessment/learning theories and methodologies.
o Create resource to train Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on the use of Touchstone Instituted created assessment tools and scoring rubrics
o Work with program team and IT to ensure that data is collected in a way that supports program improvement as well as research and evaluation activities.

Data Analytics
o Lead quantitative and qualitative data collection activities as part of research evaluation initiatives.
o Using advanced database development skills the Research Lead will link clean and transform data from multiple sources to create comprehensive datasets to support research and evaluation projects.
o Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis at an intermediate to advanced level to contribute to the implementation and validation of assessment programs assessment results and contribute to datainformed continuous quality improvement.
o Lead the development of knowledge products such as technical reports evaluation reports briefing notes presentations conference submissions and manuscripts.

Assessment Standards

o Contribute to appropriate documentation for assessment program development and implementation aligned with best practices in the field.

o Promote adherence to the APA Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing to ensure products and processes are defensive to protect Touchstone from legal and reputational risks.

Qualifications
o Graduate level training in Psychology Education or Heath Servies Research (or a relevant area of study) with a focus on quantitative data analysis (PhD is considered an asset).
o Intermediate to advanced courses in statistics and research methods is required.
o Minimum 5 years experience working in a research capacity in an organization.
o Knowledge of statistics at the intermediate to advanced level (i.e. ability to independently run parametric and nonparametric tests up to and including regression analysis); experience with principles and approaches used in psychometrics is a strong asset.
o Sound knowledge of and experience with program evaluation theories and approaches.
o Strong writing skills including the ability to summarize research findings and write technical reports and manuscripts.
o Strong publication record and a history of success in securing research funding is an asset.
o Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fastpaced environment is required.

We follow a hybrid work model with two designated inoffice days: Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Successful candidates must be available to work onsite during these days.

Closing date May 23 2025

Touchstone Institute is an equalopportunity employer that is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and exercises accessible employment practices. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Touchstone Institutes policies a request for accommodation will be accepted in all aspects of our hiring process. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation during the recruitment process please email in advance of your appointment.

Required Experience:

Senior IC