Job ID

78159

Job Title

Data Access Officer

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Location

McMaster Innovation Park (MIP)

Open Date

2026/08/18

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

2026/09/01

Employee Group

TMG

Favorite Job

Department

FHS Health Evidence and Impact

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Salary Grade/Band

Band K

Salary Range

$80819.00 - $121229.00 (annual)

Job Code

104789

Hiring Range

$80819.00 - $105974.00

Existing Vacancy

Yes - Backfilling as Existing

Contract Duration

12.3 Months

Target Number of Openings

1

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

On-Site Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week.

Education Level

Masters degree in health sciences or a relevant field of study.

Career Level

Requires 5 years of relevant experience in a leadership capacity.

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

Unit/Project Description:

The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) located within the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact in the Faculty of Health Sciences. The CLSA is a scientific research program and research data platform. A fundamental principle of the CLSA is that data be made available to the research community and relevant stakeholders (data users) as soon as it is feasible, while protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and consent of participants.

Ease of access and timely use of the data are critical to the success of CLSA research platform. Data users who are interested in accessing the data are invited to submit data access requests using Magnolia, the CLSA's online data access application system. Requests to access the CLSA data are reviewed by the Data and Sample Access Committee (DSAC) and the CLSA Executive Committee.

Job Summary:

The Data Access Officer (DAO) is responsible for ensuring data and sample access principles, policies and procedures are appropriately implemented, monitored, and evaluated. The DAO works closely with research investigators, governance committees, and other staff to operationalize aspects of the research platforms that enable access by data users.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management

- Lead all activities related to the data access functional pillar of the CLSA.
- Formulate new strategies to support data management and use as the CLSA platform evolves.
- Guide and motivate data access team members and hold team members accountable for their tasks.
- Manage and train data access team members including handling all related activities such as selection and performance management.
- Work closely with CLSA Executive Committee to ensure the CLSA has sufficient resources to support data access.
- Provide regular updates to study governance committees and councils, including advice and consultation on novel or contentious data access issues arising.
- Manage data linkage budgets and reporting to funding agencies.
- Collaborate with scientific leadership to ensure data sharing is in keeping with legal and ethical frameworks and policy, and to ensure data quality.
- Manage data linkage processes and liaise with provincial data holding organizations.

Data Access Operations

- Oversee data access operations including study-wide data management practices.
- Utilize people, processes, and policies to enable consistent, automated, and secure data access.
- In collaboration with teams responsible for data collection, storage, management and useability, oversee effective data accessibility, and ensure all elements of data access are connected.
- Manage all procedures related to data access applications,



as well as all aspects of post-approval procedures.
- Lead the development and review of data access related policies and procedures.
- Oversee activities of relevant committees and teams and ensure they function in accordance with any policies, guidelines, and procedures for data and or sample access while protecting the privacy and confidentiality of study participants.
- Collaborate with technical and administrative staff to ensure data access management systems are productive, up to date and operational.
- Critically evaluate data access related policies and procedures on an ongoing basis to identify and address inefficiencies or opportunities for improvement and devised standard operating procedures.
- Provide advice and expertise to stakeholders (internal and external) on access to CLSA data.

Data Management and Security

- Understand CLSA data holdings deeply, including up-to-date data availability, and use understanding to set data access standards, as well as develop and oversee research data management plans.
- Ensure all functions across the CLSA are upholding data governance, adherence with applicable regulations, sensitive information protection, and security measures to protect CLSA data from unauthorized access and malicious attacks.
- Work with technical and administrative teams to implement safeguards to identify any vulnerabilities or breaches promptly.
- Ensure compliance with regulations and policy as they related to data security and integrity.
- Oversee data governance framework implementation.
- Establish procedures and guidelines on how to handle data while ensuring compliance with regulatory mandates.
- Collaborate with legal experts to ensure data practices are in alignment with laws.
- Train and guide staff on compliance and regulations along with following the best practices while managing data.
- Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of data linkage processes with external administrative databases, including liaising with provincial health data centres.

Communication and Outreach

- Enable connections among current and potential data users to help them solve scientific challenges using CLSA data.
- Promote new data access initiatives that increase revenue or decrease costs for sustainability of the platform.
- Perform analyses to determine patterns of use and develop outreach strategies.
- In consultation with scientific content experts, develop and maintain documentation that supports data use by researchers.
- Represent the study and data platform in outreach activities (e.g., conferences) and works with others team members to prepare resources to support outreach activities.
- Work with team members to support potential and current data users throughout all phases of the data access process and ensure website and promotional material are up to date in terms of data availability and access processes.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and maintain tools that support data access (e.g., cloud-based data preview portals).
- Maintain and establish new data linkages and relationships with an interdisciplinary cadre of researchers and health system decision-makers both nationally and internationally.

Qualifications:

Education

- Master’s degree in health sciences or a relevant field of study.

Experience

- Requires 5 years of relevant experience.
- Demonstrated leadership capacity.

Knowledge & Skills:





- Previous experience working in university environment leading / managing large research projects.
- Understanding of domestic and international policy landscape related to research data use.
- Advanced written and spoken proficiency in French and English.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills.
- Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to interact with diverse stakeholders in a professional manner.
- Proven organizational skills to manage high volumes of work in a timely manner.
- Ability to learn quickly, adjust and adapt in a dynamic work environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; videoconferencing technology (e.g., Zoom, MS Teams).

Pay Transparency Statement The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions. Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.

How To Apply To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

- Human Resources Service Centre at (phone hidden) ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews.

If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to [email protected] or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.

📌 Data Access Officer (Canada)
🏢 McMaster University
📍 Canada