Junior Research Analyst

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Junior Research Analyst will conduct research in the Health Analysis Division within Statistics Canada’s Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch. This is a unique opportunity to conduct high quality research at one of the world’s leading statistical agencies. The research conducted at Statistics Canada advances knowledge on emerging issues related to Canadian society and informs Canada’s policies and programs.

Ensure that your experience and knowledge reflect one of the domains of research listed below:

1. population health
2. health services research
3. women’s health
4. epidemiology
5. child health and development
6. chronic or infectious disease
7. mental health and well-being
8. Indigenous health
9. health behaviours and risk factors
10. environmental health
11. healthy living/healthy aging
12. vulnerable populations

Duties

The Junior Research Analyst plans, develops, and conducts analytical studies using survey, census, administrative data, linked data, or micro-simulation models. He/she applies economic, social, or health theory or frameworks to the analysis of statistical data and applies statistical techniques using statistical software or micro-simulation models. He/she writes and presents research results to a wide audience including the general public, academics, and policy departments. He/she provides subject-matter expertise and/or statistical expertise.

Work environment

At Statistics Canada you will have the opportunity to:

1. Expand your skill set and knowledge
• build your data analysis skills
• apply theoretical frameworks to new and emerging data sets
• learn from colleagues with expertise in the data sets you are using and broaden your knowledge of Statistics Canada’s data holdings
• strengthen your ability to translate your research into knowledge that is accessible to policymakers and the public

2. Extend the reach of your research
• collaborate with government departments, academics, and international agencies
• participate in the research community of the federal public service
• disseminate your research through Statistics Canada’s publicly accessible publication venues which frequently receive media attention
• collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers

3. Further your career
• build up your publication record with opportunities to publish in Statistics Canada’s publication venues as well as academic journals
• broaden your networks beyond academia
• contribute to the research agenda at Statistics Canada – help us build something
• potential to bridge directly into a full-time, determinate research position with the federal public service

4. Conduct research in an innovative workplace
• at the leading edge of new data development
• a collaborative team environment that supports novel ideas
• a diverse workplace where your unique skills and knowledge will be valued
• an agency that provides a flexible work schedule, work-life balance, and training and career development resources

During the pandemic, employees may be required to work exclusively from home or may be required to work from an assigned workplace. However, telework will continue to be part of a flexible work arrangement that may be available to you.

It is important that candidates have a secure office space and a private area at their place of residence with reliable internet access.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff up to three positions in the Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch of Statistics Canada. However, a pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures, security and linguistic requirements within Statistics Canada.

Positions to be filled: 3

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "A cover letter indicating why you want to be selected as a Junior Research Analyst (suggesting 500 words or less)"

Contact information for 3 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Application will only be accepted online.

In your questionnaire responses, clarity, coherence, conciseness as well as appropriate attention to detail (spelling, grammar and relevance to the factor being substantiated) will be used to evaluate your ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Here is a suggestion to help you explain your examples. Please ensure you provide concrete examples and dates:

S = what was the situation or context?
T = what were your tasks or responsibilities?
A = what actions did you take?
R = what was the result of your actions?

EDUCATION

Graduation with a Ph.D. degree from a recognized university with a specialization in health, economics, mathematics, geography, psychology, sociology, demography, statistics or actuarial sciences. The specialization may be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

- Recent* and significant** experience as a subject matter expert in at least ONE of the following health domains: population health; health services research; women’s health, epidemiology, child health and development; chronic or infectious disease; mental health and well-being; Indigenous health; health behaviours and risk factors; environmental health; healthy living/healthy aging; vulnerable populations.

- Recent* and significant** experience conducting advanced quantitative analyses using microdata sources, such as surveys, census, or administrative data.

- Recent* and significant** experience applying theoretical frameworks and related literature to the analysis of statistical data in subject-matter area.

- Recent* experience working with statistical analysis software, such as Statistical Analysis Software (SAS), R, or STATA or coding languages such as Python or C++.

- Experience presenting research findings to peers or clients through presentations, posters, briefing notes, memoranda, business cases and/or dashboards.

*Recent experience is defined as acquired in the past 4 years.
** Significant experience is defined as working in particular health research domain for a minimum of 4 years which may include time as part of a PhD program.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
English Essential
French Essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE

- Knowledge of advanced statistical techniques, principles, and methods used to plan and implement analytical research and modeling studies.

- Knowledge of theoretical frameworks, relevant literature, and policy relevant issues in the subject-matter area.

- Knowledge of Statistics Canada data holdings.

ABILITY

- Ability to plan, develop and conduct analytical studies using survey, census or administrative databases.

- Ability to communicate results of complex analysis and findings to a non-technical audience.

- Ability to provide advice based on the use and interpretation of research findings.

- Ability to communicate effectively orally.

- Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY

- Thinking things through.

- Working effectively with others.

- Showing initiative and being action oriented.

- Demonstrating integrity and respect.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ASSET EXPERIENCE

- Significant experience* in SAS programming.

- Significant experience* using coding languages such as R and Python.

- Significant experience* in research in the area of spatial epidemiology.

- Significant experience* in research in the area of child health and development.

- Significant experience* in research in the area of Indigenous health.

- Significant experience* in research in the area of vulnerable population health.

- Significant experience* in research in the area of health services.

- Significant experience* in research in the area of healthy living/healthy aging.

- Author on at least 2 academic publications in the last 5 years

* Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with full-time performance of duties for a minimum of 2 years.

We encourage women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply and declare themselves as part of one or more of the above mentioned groups. Selection for some jobs may be limited to members of these groups.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

You must provide the following information when submitting your application:

• Your current résumé that clearly indicates start and end dates by month and year, position, responsibilities and accomplishments. Recently published research articles should be listed in bibliographic form.

• You must also submit the names of at least three (3) references (name, relationship, phone number and email), including current and past supervisors who are in a position to attest to your work. Experience may be verified with these references.

Candidates who pass the screening stage will be asked to submit a research proposal (up to 1000 words) as part of the next step of the process. The research proposal will use Statistics Canada data to address a policy relevant topic in one of the twelve areas that are mentioned above.

The research proposal must provide the following details: a) a research question or hypothesis; b) theoretical framework; c) a Statistics Canada data source that will be used; d) analytic methods; and e) potential policy relevance.

The research proposal will assess the following criteria:

• Knowledge of advanced statistical techniques, principles, and methods used to plan and implement analytical research and modeling studies.
• Knowledge of theoretical frameworks, relevant literature and policy relevant issues in the subject-matter area.
• Knowledge of Statistics Canada data holdings.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing .
• Ability to plan, develop and conduct analytical studies using survey, census or administrative databases

Candidates who pass the research proposal stage may be invited to an interview. Candidates who are invited to an interview should be prepared to make a 15 minutes oral presentation on a different research paper that they have completed and be prepared to respond to questions. This research paper should be different than the research proposal submitted as part of this process.The presentation should be designed to demonstrate how the candidate meets the knowledge and abilities criteria set out above.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established to staff similar or identical positions.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.