<Head of Knowledge Translation>

Department:

Centre for Contact Lens Research (CCLR)

Effective Date:

May 31, 2012

Grade:

USG 10

35 hr/wk

Reports to:

Head of Clinical Operations, CCLR

General Accountability

The mission of the Head of Knowledge Translation (HKT) is to leverage CCLR’s expertise, international reach, relationship with local eye care professionals, and proximity to a diverse pool of end-users (patients) in developing and directing the activities of a Knowledge Translation (KT) arm, to complement the CCLR’s research activities. These activities will encompass knowledge flow in two directions:

The dissemination of research results to eye care professionals and patients
The gathering of knowledge from eye care professionals and patients via qualitative research, which can be used to guide research OR may directly produce new knowledge of value in contact lens research.

Working both within and parallel to the CCLR’s research arm, the primary activities of the HKT will be to:

Develop and direct the look and feel, strategic, educational and promotional approach of current KT projects, directed at eye care professionals and patients worldwide
Conceive, develop and seek funding for new KT projects
Direct qualitative research activities, with the objective of gathering new knowledge from eye care practitioners and patients

The HKT primarily works independently with overall direction from the Director and guidance from the Head of Clinical Operations of the CCLR. Specific research activities will be managed by the Head of Clinical Operations.

Nature and Scope

The CCLR is a semi-autonomous unit located in the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The primary function of the CCLR has been to conduct clinical and laboratory research on contact lenses, contact lens wear and the ocular surface. Funding for this research has mainly come from the contact lens industry, a source that is unpredictable for multiple reasons, including ongoing consolidation and mergers between companies. Consequently, the CCLR needs to expand its potential sources for funding opportunities.

Knowledge Translation (KT), a process in which research is translated for use in evidence-based practice, has occurred within the CCLR in some format for several years, but has been markedly underdeveloped in the CCLR’s portfolio. The CCLR has the scientific and clinical expertise to develop KT projects, but without someone to direct these activities as a whole, they remain singular projects that add little strategic value to the CCLR.

The HKT is responsible for:

Managing large-scale, long-term KT and research projects, with significant funding from Industry and other organizations
Putting together and managing teams of researchers to provide scientific expertise for KT projects;
Liaising with industry representatives, the Office of Research Ethics, graphic designers, web developers and local eye care professionals.

The HKT will also be responsible for keeping up with new developments in research, KT projects initiated by other organizations, and the current and ongoing needs and interests of the eye care profession.

Statistical Data

The CCLR currently has an operating budget in excess of $4 million and completes at least 35 studies per year. Often there are 15 to 20 studies being conducted simultaneously. The CCLR is currently housed in a 5,000 sq ft facility and supports the following:

8 faculty members

19 research personnel

14 staff members

10 graduate students

Numerous co-op and undergraduate students

In addition to internal School of Optometry and University of Waterloo departments/personnel, the CCLR is currently associated with most of the leading international contact lens companies as well as other academic institutions involved in contact lens research. It maintains a database of at least 3,000 potential study participants with approximately 2,000 participants enrolled in various studies annually.

Specific Accountabilities

The following are the HKT’s specific roles and responsibilities:

1.Manager: Knowledge Translation

Follow research, practice and patient trends in order to identify potential KT projects appropriate for leveraging CCLR expertise
Manage teams comprising scientific advisors, technical support, sponsor contacts, editorial board, contributors
Lead and manage development of instructional and aesthetic design
Write and edit high quality KT content
Source and secure scientific input/contributions
Maintain production schedule
Collaborate with the CCLR Recruitment Team on the development of promotional activities
Liaise with industry funding representatives and international researchers
Liaise with local key opinion leaders in the eye care profession
Oversee and direct graduate student activities
Develop, manage and direct KT projects (e.g. www.contactlensupdate.com, a website directed at sharing evidence-based clinical insights with eye care professionals worldwide; and Front Row, a project directed at disseminating scientific and clinical conference proceedings to a professional audience)

2.Lead: qualitative research

Conceive, develop and write research proposals that are funded by both industrial contracts and peer-reviewed granting agencies
Lead qualitative research projects
Conduct research analysis
Write reports and publish/present research findings
Translate qualitative data into recommendations and plans for future KT projects
Network with experts in the field of qualitative health research
Oversee and direct graduate student activities in the field of KT

3.Editor/writer: research documentation

Advise research team in developing study documentation that follows strict guidelines set out by the Ethics Review Committee
Write, edit and coordinate the development of research protocols, grant proposals and study reports
Manage or support submissions to the Office of Research Ethics, as required

4.Lead: industry-focused promotion

Develop industry-focused promotional materials for the CCLR

5.Advisor: local promotion and community outreach

Collaborate with the CCLR Recruitment Team to develop an annual promotion and community outreach strategy to increase awareness of the CCLR in the local community
Participate in activities directed at engaging the local community (e.g. social media, community partnerships)
Advise local promotional team with respect to wording, design and KT components of promotional messages

Working Conditions

This position is largely independent, with a need to follow strict, tight and conflicting deadlines in addition to occasional travel and work outside of typical office hours. This will include national and international travel to various meetings.