Call for Lead Contributor: White Paper on the Environmental Impact of AI in Healthcare
CCCHSC, TRANSFORM HF, and T-CAIREM are seeking a motivated and knowledgeable graduate student or early-career researcher to lead the development of a white paper focused on sustainability in AI investments and deployments in healthcare, including clinical practice, health research, and potentially education.
This white paper will serve as a foundational resource to guide future research, policy, and practice for environmental sustainability in investments in AI in healthcare.
Responsibilities
The lead contributor will be responsible for:
- Conducting a comprehensive review to identify key issues and gaps in the current literature on the environmental impact of AI in healthcare;
- Organizing a call to form a multi-disciplinary working group to inform and support the white paper’s development; and,
- Drafting the white paper in collaboration with co-authors and contributors, with support from a network of advisors.
Ideal timeline: Up to 6 months (October 2025 – January 2026)
Eligibility
• Graduate student or early-career researcher in health informatics, environmental science, public health, health systems research, computer science, or a related field
• Demonstrated interest in AI, sustainability, and/or health systems
• Strong writing, facilitation, and project coordination skills
• Experience with academic, policy, or technical writing
This is an opportunity to take leadership on a high-impact initiative and publication that will shape sustainable approaches to digital transformation in healthcare. The work will culminate in an event to refine and endorse the white paper and build out an action plan, which the lead contributor will be involved in planning and hosting.
Supervisors
A working group will be struck to guide this work, including representatives from the units at the University of Toronto partnering on this initiative (Collaborative Centre for Climate, Health & Sustainable Care, TRANSFORM HF, T-CAIREM).
The co-supervisors of this white paper:
• Dr. Heather Ross is the Head of the Division of Cardiology and Loretta A. Rogers Chair in Heart Function at UHN. She is Site Lead for the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research and Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
• Dr. Jay Shaw is the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Responsible Health Innovation and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and cross-appointed at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto.
It is hoped that the lead contributor will continue to work with the partners as they mobilize for policy and practice action on this foundational white paper and its guidance.
Stipend
Remuneration to produce the above deliverables in a part-time arrangement will be commensurate with experience, expertise, and if the candidate pursues an embedded fellowship-type role with the partners (ranging from $10,000-$30,000). The stipend will be provided on successful acceptance of the white paper.
Application Procedure
If you are interested, please complete the application form and include:
• Brief expression of interest (1–2 paragraphs) outlining your background and relevant experience
• CV
• Writing sample on the environmental impact of AI in healthcare (one page)
Expressions of interest will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We look forward to receiving your application!
Application form to lead this white paper
Application deadline: September 15, 2025 (Monday)
