Peer Research Assistant II (Temporary Part Time)

CUPE 5596

Position: Peer Research Assistant

Program: Research Programs (Belonging Through Movement Project)

Status: Temporary Part Time (start date as soon as possible up until March 31, 2027)

Role Level

Admin/Clerical (AC02) $23.466- $29.3446

Site: Primarily remote, with some in-person work for community/project activities

Hours of Work/Shifts

3.5 hours/week

Posted: August 28, 2026

Internal Deadline: September 4, 2026

Trillium Health Partners is one of Canada’s largest community-based teaching hospitals, serving the growing and diverse populations of Mississauga, West Toronto, and surrounding communities through the Credit Valley Hospital, the Mississauga Hospital, the Queensway Health Centre, the Reactivation care Centre (Church Site) and the THP-UHN Reactivation Care Centre. Guided by our values of compassion, excellence, and courage, and through our strategic roadmap, Plan to 2030 [https://strategy.thp.ca/], we are creating a new kind of health care - defined not by illness, but by the health and well-being of people and communities

As THP’s research and innovation engine, the Institute for Better Health (IBH) is a core enabler of THP’s mission of a new kind of health care for a healthier community through the application of scientific expertise, innovative thinking and partnerships. Focused on generating cutting-edge science and innovation in health service delivery and population health, IBH leads practical research and innovation that shapes how we engage, design, deliver, and finance health care to solve problems stretching from the bedside to the system. IBH operates within a Learning Health System Model, with specific thematic areas of focus in population health, patient and family engagement, innovative models of care, and implementation and evaluation science.

The Role

The Peer Research Assistant role within IBH will work closely with and be trained by the Belonging Through Movement project team. The role will support a community-based project focused on co-designing and piloting a movement-based intervention specific to the Mississauga Valleys neighbourhood.

Project Description

The Belonging Through Movement Project is a youth- and community-engaged initiative focused on designing, delivering and evaluating a movement-based intervention in the Mississauga Valleys neighbourhood. The project will include co-design activities, a Belonging Through Movement Hackathon, Community Advisory Board engagement, qualitative data review and analysis, and knowledge mobilization activities that bring forward youth lived/living experience and equity perspectives. The project team is seeking a youth Peer Research Assistant to contribute to project design, implementation, evaluation planning and community-facing outputs, including activities leading up to a Hackathon scheduled for October 17, 2026.

Role Requirements

We seek a youth Peer Research Assistant with lived/living experience and community knowledge of residing in the Mississauga Valleys community to the Belonging Through Movement Project. Candidates require no previous research experience as all research training will be provided. The ideal candidate will be interested in learning about community-based research, co-design, equity-informed implementation and evaluation, and knowledge mobilization.

Qualifications

• and Skills
• Lived/living experience, community knowledge and interest in bringing a youth perspective to the project
• A youth community member residing in the Mississauga Valleys neighbourhood
• Interest in learning more about community-based research, co-design processes and youth engagement
• Interest in learning about and conducting qualitative methods and related analysis
• Motivation to engage with local communities, project participants and stakeholders
• Interest in academic and report writing
• Ability to work as part of a team
• An understanding of and sensitivity to equity, diversity and inclusion issues
• Experience being part of diverse communities is an asset

Responsibilities

• Supports implementation of research and co-design activities associated with the Belonging Through Movement Project
• Supports the co-design and delivery of the Belonging Through Movement Hackathon, including session design, participant engagement, facilitation and event-day delivery
• Serves on and liaises with the Community Advisory Board, bringing a youth lived/living experience perspective to project discussions and decisions
• Reviews and helps analyze qualitative data from hackathons, co-design sessions and related project activities
• Participates in manuscript writing and knowledge mobilization products such as briefing notes, slides, abstracts and community-facing outputs
• Supports co-design of the pilot implementation and evaluation plan, embedding equity, diversity, inclusion and justice perspectives
• Attends research team meetings, project check-ins and trainings as required for study-related capacity building
• Other responsibilities as may be assigned

Location

This role is primarily remote, with some in-person components required for project activities, including community engagement and event-related work. The successful candidate must reside in the Mississauga Valleys neighbourhood, as the intervention is specific to that community. The role will be supervised by Dianne Fierheller.

The expectation is that remote work locations, as part of the Flex First program, will be in the employee’s place of residence, and adhere to all THP policies and procedures, with special consideration towards privacy. Since employees should be available to return to the workplace with 24 hours’ notice, remote work outside of the province or country is not acceptable.

• Please submit the following application components in a single file
• CV
• Cover Letter detailing relevant lived experience required

Important Message for Potential Applicants

If you do not see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on this posting, we still encourage you to apply. Research has shown candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they feel 100% qualified. We encourage applicants who are members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the Ontario Human Rights Code to consider this opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with our hiring processes. If selected to participate in the recruitment and selection process for this opportunity and you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please inform our Human Resources Recruiter to request specialized accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equitable participation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

To pursue this career opportunity, please visit our website

www.trilliumhealthpartners.ca [http://www.trilliumhealthpartners.ca/]

Candidates are selected on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications.

Where these factors are relatively equal seniority shall govern providing the successful applicant.

Trillium Health Partners’ (THP) is an equal opportunity employer who values the importance of antiracism work and is committed to integrating antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion best practices throughout THP operations, policies and culture. Therefore, we ask that even if you do not see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on this posting, we still encourage you to reach out and apply. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they feel 100% qualified. We encourage all applicants who are members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the Ontario Human Rights Code based on race, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nations, Métis or Inuk/Inuit person to consider this opportunity.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code Trillium Health Partners will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please inform Human Resources of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

All personal information is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Trillium Health Partners is identified under the French Language Services Act.

Our organization may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence (AI) or algorithm-assisted systems, to support the initial review of applications. These tools are used only to assist our recruiters and hiring managers; all hiring decisions include meaningful human involvement and final review.

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