Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada (AMRIC)

The Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada (AMRIC) was established on June 16th, 2011 as an independent not-for-profit corporation. Founded on the basis of fostering translational research, AMRIC is the affiliated research institute of Health Sciences North, under the direction of a Board of Directors. AMRIC’s strategic business plan (2011-2012) articulates a vision and business architecture that augments the vision and strategic direction of Health Sciences North. AMRIC works in close cooperation with several key partners in Greater Sudbury Region, including Health Sciences North, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Laurentian University, Cambrian College and Collège Boréal. AMRIC also actively pursues strategic partnerships with all levels of government and private industry from across Canada and around the world.

A BRIEF HISTORY

In January 2010, Dr. Denis R. Roy became CEO and President of Health Sciences North. During his inaugural year in this role, Dr. Roy introduced a vision for the hospital to become an academic health sciences centre. He subsequently recruited Dr. Francisco Diaz-Mitoma, a noted researcher from Ottawa, in January 2011 to serve as Vice President, Research at Health Sciences North. During this time, Dr. Diaz-Mitoma also established a Research Institute (now known as AMRIC), assuming the role of inaugural Chief Executive Officer.

The Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada (AMRIC) was established to accelerate the translation of novel scientific ideas into widespread applications. AMRIC’s translational research programs focus on infectious diseases, chronic diseases and cancers affecting Northern populations, with emphasis on:

• Research and Dissemination of Advances: Identifying and disseminating beneficial scientific advances that emanate from our expertise in cancer research and in vaccine development and immunotherapy.
• Commercial Uptake and Clinical Integration: Identifying and commercializing promising scientific ideas or applying scientific advances into clinical practice.

AMRIC is building a core competency in the areas of discovery, development and commercialization. Activities range from the conduct of basic and applied research, integration of advances into clinical practice, including the design and conduct of hospital-based clinical research, as well as active business development to enable the commercialization of promising ideas.

AMRIC is the daily setting for cutting edge research that is focused on preventing and curing diseases, as well as improving health care outcomes in the North.

AMRIC’s Key Strategic Objectives:

• Build a strong research program that targets the key health concerns and priorities of the North and that enables enhanced access to funding opportunities for translational research
• Increase commercial uptake of innovative scientific and clinical advancements to ensure greater accessibility to residents of the Greater Sudbury Region
• Develop sustainable infrastructure to meet current and future research needs
• Attract and retain nationwide leaders in translational health care research to the North

AMRIC aims to become a Canadian leader by inspiring researchers to explore the unknown and to challenge conventional approaches.

At the Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada (AMRIC), one of our greatest resources is our people! AMRIC offers a variety of exciting career opportunities, including staff positions for researchers and administrators, as well as training positions for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

A dynamic and growing research and health care environment awaits you in Sudbury, Ontario. Nestled in the beautiful Canadian Shield, surrounded by provincial parks and over 200 lakes, Sudbury is located near spectacular Georgian Bay and the Muskoka region and is only four hours north of Toronto. Here, you will experience the balance of a challenging career and a comfortable lifestyle, right on nature’s doorstep.

Please feel free to email our scientists directly, should their particular field of research be of interest to you (seeResearcher Profiles for more information). If you are interested in a training position, you may also want to consult our page for students and postdoctoral fellows.

Here is a listing of our current opportunities. CVs are kept on file for six months. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

• Site Superintendent
• Future Opportunities – Clinical Research Coordinator
• Research Facilitator
• Clinical Research Coordinator

OUR RESEARCH

Health-related education and services are now firmly established as a major strength of the Sudbury region. The Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada (AMRIC) adds to the region’s expertise by focusing its research on chronic diseases, infectious diseases and cancers that are associated with Northern populations.

AMRIC-derived research and its translation are based on strong local platforms that offer versatility in target disease discovery and affordability in application (to patients and the health care system). AMRIC is organized into research programs and a linked commercial uptake program both oriented toward the translation of ideas into changes in understanding, clinical practice or commercial application. The major phases of AMRIC’s translational research program include:

RESEARCH

Our research programs are located on the campus of Health Sciences North and organized to address the disease targets of concern to Northern populations. AMRIC has a reputable cancer research program that has a focus on mitigation of these health impacts. A platform in vaccine development and immunotherapy is also being established to develop more flexibility in developing relevant health strategies. AMRIC’s orientation is applied research, augmented by some longer term programs targeting fundamental knowledge gaps.

PROSPECTING

AMRIC has established a presence in the heart of Toronto’s medical research community to prospect for promising novel scientific ideas. Ideas are identified (from within and from outside the Institute), assessed for potential and, if selected, nurtured to the point of uptake by investors and partners. Internally developed novel ideas emerging from the Institute’s research projects may take this commercial developmental route through the business development function or, alternatively, through the introduction of improved techniques or procedures, enhanced policies or advances in knowledge.

TRANSLATION

The foundation for translational research at AMRIC may be found in the collaborative research approach that seeks to move ideas “from bench to bedside” or from laboratory experiments through clinical trials to actual point-of-care patient applications, or clinical integration. Working closely with business, academic experts and physicians, AMRIC’s collaborative approach is being strengthened through continuous improvements to the protocols and processes governing translational research.

DISSEMINATION

The various advances in knowledge and practice that are generated by AMRIC are disseminated by our experts and corporately through research publications, conferences, outreach, and clinical and commercial application. Strong linkages with Health Sciences North, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Laurentian University, other research institutes and industrial partners provide the means by which advances originating in Sudbury can impact all Canadians.