Research Assistant

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary

This research assistant (RA) position will provide support to a surveillance project based out of the BC Children’s Hospital Emergency Department evaluating pediatric vaccine effectiveness and potential adverse events.

Organizational Status

The RA will report directly to the Study Coordinator and Principal Investigator. The RA will may also liaise with other coordinators and PI at the main site for this multi-center project.

Work Performed

Work performed will include (but is not exclusive to):

• Collecting data from various sources. Data will be entered into the study’s REDCap database

• Conducting data validation/cleaning and data summarization activities of data collection involving a large project database

• Assist Research Coordinator with ensuring implementation and enforcement of study protocols.

• Providing high level operational trouble shooting and problem solving as issues arise, including eligibility determination and study procedure troubleshooting.

• Participate with project protocol implementation which includes data collection and database management, documentation of processes, and ongoing monitoring.

• Maintaining and updating lists, databases, and formatting tables and charts.

• Preparing documents, including correspondence, presentations, and quarterly reports.

• Communicating with local team (Research Coordinator) to identify any issues and work with local team to implement necessary logistics to facilitate the operation of the project

• Performing other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The RA should work well within defined guidelines and procedures, but exercises judgement in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion; new or unusual problems are brought to the Research Coordinator in a timely manner.

The RA is required to conduct activities in an ethical manner. Data must be reliably and accurately recorded. Confidentiality of all study participants must be adhered to. Any procedures or data recorded as part of a research study must be accurate and must accurately reflect the work performed. Strict confidentiality of all study participants must be adhered to. All activities involving participants are accountable to the Principal Investigator. Any deviation from standard operating procedures could prove costly and set back the research efforts of Principal Investigators on site.

Supervision Received
The RA will report primarily to the Research Coordinator, and the Principal Investigator.

Supervision Given
This position will not be responsible for supervising the work of any research assistant(s), but may distribute tasks to junior level Research Assistant/Technicians.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute.

• Exceptional organizational, leadership, and management skills are required for this position as well as a high degree of motivation, resourcefulness, and initiative. Ability to effectively use Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel at an intermediate level. Database literacy.