Communications Strategist (SRI) Physical Sciences Casual

Description of Team/Department (optional):

One of Canadas Top 10 Research Hospitals Sunnybrook Research Institute is developing innovations in care for the more than 1.3 million patients the hospital cares for annually.

Sunnybrook Research Institute is the research enterprise of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Research spans three Toronto-based campuses eight programs and three scientific platforms. Our main aims are to understand and prevent disease and to develop treatments that enhance and extend life. Our vision is to invent the future of health care. Each year we conduct about $100 million in research across 500000 square feet including in the worlds first Centre for Research in Image-Guided Therapeutics.

INOVAIT is Canadas image-guided therapy (IGT) and artificial intelligence (AI) commercialization network. Run by Sunnybrook Research Institute and funded by the Strategic Response Fund we connect researchers clinicians industry partners and entrepreneurs across the Canadian medtech ecosystem to accelerate the commercialization of IGT and AI innovations. Our mission is to strengthen Canadas position as a global leader in medtech and AI by fostering collaboration building commercial capacity and driving the creation of high-value intellectual property and jobs in the sector.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a motivated detail-oriented candidate with an education background in science communications and/or business to join our team for the summer. This entry-level role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of health technology communications strategy government and public relations and market intelligence within a growing national innovation network.

The Market Research & Communications Strategist will support two core pillars of INOVAITs work: (1) communications and stakeholder engagement activities that expand the networks reach and visibility and (2) market research initiatives to develop resources and public facing reports describing Canadas medtech and AI landscape.

This role has the potential of renewal or extension. This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week) hybrid position with the expectation of at least 3 days a week in-person at the Sunnybrook Bayview campus.

Summary of Duties:

Communications & Network Engagement

Draft edit and distribute network communications including newsletters social media content event invitations and stakeholder updates

Support the planning and execution of INOVAIT events webinars and networking sessions

Maintain and update the networks websites social media channels and member-facing platforms

Help coordinate outreach to current and prospective network members partners and collaborators across academia industry and clinical settings

Track engagement metrics and prepare summary reports on communication and event performance

Market Research & Analysis

Conduct landscape scans and market research on trends competitors and opportunities in image-guided therapy AI in healthcare and the broader Canadian medtech sector

Compile and synthesize data from public sources industry reports and academic literature into clear actionable summaries and briefs

Support the development of market maps sector profiles and competitive intelligence resources for internal use and network stakeholders

Assist with the preparation of reports pitch materials and briefing documents for funding applications partnership development and strategic planning

Monitor relevant policy developments funding programs and regulatory changes that could impact the Canadian medtech ecosystem

General Support

Provide administrative and organizational support to the INOVAIT team as needed

Contribute to internal knowledge management documentation practices and policy development and enforcement

Participate in team meetings public events brainstorming sessions and strategic discussions

Qualifications:

Required

Graduate in science communications business health sciences public policy or a related discipline

Recent graduates are welcome to apply

Strong written and verbal communication skills with an eye for clear audience-appropriate messaging

Demonstrated ability to conduct research synthesize information from multiple sources and present findings in a structured format

Comfort working with digital tools including social media platforms content management systems and standard office productivity software

Self-starter with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Assets (Nice to Have)

Familiarity with and interest in the Canadian medtech sector health innovation networks or technology commercialization processes

Experience with graphic design tools (e.g. Canva Adobe Creative Suite) email marketing platforms (e.g. Mailchimp) content management systems (e.g. Wordpress) and client relationship management systems (e.g. HubSpot)

Exposure to market research methodologies competitive analysis frameworks or data visualization tools

Proficiency in both official languages (English and French)

Previous internship or co-op experience in a research communications or business development setting

Assets (Nice to Have)

Familiarity with and interest in the Canadian medtech sector health innovation networks or technology commercialization processes

Experience with graphic design tools (e.g. Canva Adobe Creative Suite) email marketing platforms (e.g. Mailchimp) content management systems (e.g. Wordpress) and client relationship management systems (e.g. HubSpot)

Exposure to market research methodologies competitive analysis frameworks or data visualization tools

Proficiency in both official languages (English and French)

Previous internship or co-op experience in a research communications or business development setting

What we offer

A front row seat supporting Canadas most innovative companies in medtech and AI commercialize and scale

Exposure to a diverse cross-sector network of researchers clinicians entrepreneurs government officials and industry leaders

Mentorship and professional development in communications strategy market intelligence and health technology commercialization

A collaborative tight-knit mission-driven and thoughtful team environment

The possibility of contract renewal beyond the summer term based on performance and organizational needs

Possibility of extension with benefits and healthcare pension.

Application Challenge

As part of your application we ask you to submit a short concept piece (max. two pages written or max. 10-slide deck) responding to one of the following prompts:

Option A: Streamlining with GenAI

Identify a task or workflow relevant to this role (e.g. market research content creation stakeholder communications event coordination) and describe how you would leverage generative AI tools to make it more efficient or effective. Outline the tools you would use the workflow you envision and any limitations or risks you would watch for.

Option B: Showcasing Canada on the Global Stage

Propose a concept for a project campaign or content piece that highlights Canadas strengths in medtech and AI to an international audience. This could be a communications initiative a research brief a data visualization a media pitch or anything else you think would be compelling. Tell us what the idea is who its for and why it would resonate.

We are not looking for polished deliverables or finished products. We want to see how you think: your creativity your ability to connect ideas and your instinct for where generative AI or strategic communications can create real value for Canadas medtech ecosystem. A clear thoughtful concept matters more than production quality.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should complete the application form and submit the following:

• A current resume/CV
• A brief cover letter (max. one page) outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience
• Your response to the Application Challenge (see above)
• Two additional writing samples (preferably an essay (500-1000 words))
• Two professional references

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds including those from underrepresented groups in STEM and health innovation.