A national strategy for pancreatic cancer care and access - NS-031

Project type: Research
Desired discipline(s): Epidemiology / Public health and policy, Life Sciences, Nursing, Social work, Social Sciences & Humanities
Company: Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society
Project Length: Flexible
Preferred start date: As soon as possible.
Language requirement: English
Location(s): NS, Canada
No. of positions: 1
Desired education level: Postdoctoral fellow
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: No

About the company: 

Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society a national charity dedicated exclusively to pancreatic cancer.
Our mission is to increase survival and improve the quality of life for every Canadian diagnosed with pancreatic cancer through public awareness, patient support, healthcare education, and research.

Founded as a grassroots organization 20 years ago by the family and friends of Craig Condon, Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society has grown into a respected national leader. Today, we collaborate with cancer centres, advocacy organizations, universities, researchers, healthcare professionals, and pancreatic cancer specialists across Canada to develop and deliver innovative, evidence-informed programs.

As a 100% Canadian charity, every dollar raised remains in Canada to support Canadians affected by pancreatic cancer. We are committed to responsible stewardship of donor funds, operating efficiently while maximizing impact through strategic partnerships and measurable outcomes.
Our work is guided by four interconnected pillars—Public Awareness, Patient Support, Healthcare Education, and Research. Programs are developed in response to identified gaps and informed by ongoing needs assessments with patients, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers, ensuring resources are directed where they are needed most.

Describe the project.: 

Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society is launching Canada’s first innovative initiative that will transform pancreatic cancer care, starting from the foundation up.

The National Strategy for Pancreatic Cancer Care and Access project is aimed at improving health policy, patient access, and healthcare system coordination across Canada. The project will address two critical gaps: inequitable access to innovative therapies within Canada and the absence of a national standard of care. The primary goal is to develop Canada's first National Pancreatic Cancer Care Pathway while advancing
evidence-based policy recommendations that improve access to diagnosis, molecular testing, clinical trials, innovative therapies, and reimbursement.

To do this, the National Strategy for Pancreatic Cancer Care and Access will develop and implement the coordinatation of national stakeholder engagement, conducting environmental scans and policy analyses, identify barriers within regulatory and reimbursement systems, and develop evidence-based recommendations for healthcare system improvement. By bringing together patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, governments, cancer agencies, and industry partners to work collabortaively, we willl be able to build consensus and drive implementation of national priorities.

The project will use an evidence-informed methodology that includes literature reviews, environmental scans, needs assessments, policy analysis, stakeholder consultations, consensus-building workshops, Canada’s first Patient and Caregiver Journey Survey and knowledge translation. Patient and caregiver experiences will be integrated with clinical evidence and international best practices to inform advocacy priorities and policy recommendations. Findings will be translated into practical tools, including regulatory reform recommendations, government briefing materials, implementation resources, and Canada's first National Pancreatic Cancer Care Pathway.

These findings will also be presented at the National Pancreas Conference in 2027 and 2029 (the only disease specific conference in Canada), along with other high profile conferences (ie. ASCO).

Through continuous collaboration and evaluation, the project will establish a sustainable national infrastructure that supports equitable access to care, strengthens health policy, and improves outcomes for Canadians affected by pancreatic cancer.

Required expertise/skills: 

The ideal candidate is a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in health policy, public health, health services research, implementation science, or a related discipline, and a demonstrated interest in improving healthcare systems and patient outcomes. Experience in health policy, advocacy, government relations, healthcare access, or patient organizations is considered an asset.

The candidate will possess strong analytical and research skills, with experience conducting literature reviews, policy analysis, environmental scans, and interpreting complex scientific and health systems evidence. They will be able to translate research findings into practical policy recommendations, advocacy strategies, reports, and knowledge translation resources for diverse audiences.

As this is the first role of its kind in Canada dedicated exclusively to pancreatic cancer policy, advocacy, and patient access, the successful candidate must be innovative, adaptable, and comfortable working in an evolving environment. They should recognize that the position will grow alongside the organization's national strategy, with responsibilities and priorities adapting in response to emerging evidence, stakeholder engagement, and healthcare system needs.

Success in this role requires exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong project management abilities, and the capacity to lead multiple national initiatives while building trusted relationships with patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, governments, and industry partners.