Research Coordinator (SRI) - Research Health and Safety

Overview

Sunnybrook Research Institute’s Research Safety & Compliance team supports research activities that are safe, compliant, and responsibly managed. The group oversees essential safety programs, regulatory duties, institutional licenses, and operational risk controls so that laboratory, animal, clinical, and other specialized research can continue without compromising staff, the public, or the environment. The function works closely with research teams, clinical programs, facilities, partners at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and government regulators, balancing day-to-day safety operations with governance and risk management.

Role summary

Reporting to the Manager, Research Safety & Compliance, the Research Coordinator will provide administrative, documentation, communication, and operational support to the department. This includes keeping records current, tracking training and follow-up tasks, preparing materials, organizing meetings and training sessions, and helping coordinate communication between researchers, laboratory personnel, institutional departments, and safety staff.

The position is intended to keep routine safety processes moving efficiently by ensuring that records, deadlines, and follow-up items are tracked and completed on time. The Coordinator will flag missing items, identify unresolved or higher-risk concerns, and escalate them to the relevant safety lead. This support allows specialist safety staff to concentrate on risk assessments, inspections, incident response, regulatory guidance, and direct assistance to research teams.

Key duties

• Administer departmental records and tracking tools for training, permits, inspections, corrective actions, equipment servicing, and other Research Safety & Compliance activities.
• Watch deadlines and outstanding requirements, and escalate unresolved or higher-risk issues to the right safety lead.
• Coordinate lab inspections, safety walkthroughs, equipment reviews, and follow-up visits, including any supporting materials needed.
• Help researchers and staff with routine safety forms, information requests, and general process questions, while routing technical or regulatory questions to the appropriate safety specialist.
• Organize safety orientations, refresher sessions, information meetings, and related logistics.
• Draft and send safety notices, agendas, meeting notes, action summaries, and other internal communications.
• Support the creation and upkeep of standardized tools, templates, and workflows.
• Review processes for completeness, consistency, and opportunities for improvement.
• Carry out other related tasks in support of the Research Safety & Compliance department.

Education and experience

A bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, health sciences, or a closely related field is required. A Master of Science in a relevant science, health sciences, or related discipline is preferred. The role calls for at least five years of relevant experience in a research laboratory, hospital, academic, health-care, safety, quality, or research administration setting. Comparable combinations of education, laboratory experience, and safety-related training may also be considered.

Knowledge and skills

The successful candidate should be comfortable working around laboratory environments and understand safe lab practices, hazard awareness, and core safety requirements. Knowledge of WHMIS, occupational health and safety, biosafety, hazardous materials handling, and institutional safety processes would be advantageous. Additional familiarity with PHAC requirements, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, chemical safety, radiation safety, laser safety, clinical research, or environmental health and safety programs would also be beneficial.

Experience keeping records, trackers, training logs, inspection files, or corrective-action follow-up systems is important. Strong organization, time management, written communication, attention to detail, the ability to handle several priorities at once, and collaborative working skills are all essential. Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams is expected, along with experience using databases or document-management systems.

Additional information

This role is a regular full-time position based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is part of an onsite work arrangement.