CLH-RSU Research Assistant

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

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
The successful candidate will join our Clinical Research team to assist with the recruitment and enrolment of ongoing industry, grant funded and Investigator-initiated clinical trials. The candidate will be working with confidential information and adhering to strict study protocols. Positions in this classification perform routine clinical and laboratory tasks and assist the Centre for Lung Health Research Support Unit recruit participants, perform study visits, prepare materials for testing, conduct breathing tests and other various tasks as required. Primary focus will be on the implementation of a study looking to assess a digital tool that predicts the risk of exacerbations for enrolled participants and recommends treatment according to current guidelines.
Organizational Status
Reports directly to Research Manager – Industry Partnerships
Work Performed

• Assists protocol implementation: data collection, data entry, documentation of process, integration, evaluation, and ongoing monitoring.

• Preparation of source documents, research materials, correspondence, reports, and newsletters, as applicable.

• Assists with study participant visits, including, but not limited to conducting informed consent process, collecting vital signs, conducting breathing assessments, and collecting protocol defined data variables.

• Prepares sample collection kits for study visits, centrifuges blood samples, aliquots plasma/ serum/urine and other simple laboratory processing tasks.

• Assists with recruitment activities, development of recruitment materials/campaigns, phone screening, pre-screening assessments, study communications with potential participants.

• Assists the project team with scheduling meeting with clinic physicians and follow-up queries.

• Cleans, sterilizes and calibrates pulmonary function equipment, as required.

• Assists with conducting breathing assessments including methacholine challenges, sputum inductions, sputum collection, and sputum processing.

• Performs clinical and laboratory clean up tasks.

• Assists in basic maintenance of research equipment.

• Maintains research stock supplies, lab kits and monitors/updates inventory.

• Assists in preparing sample shipments, scheduling couriers and packaging samples.

• Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

• Provides operational research support, including administering questionnaires, data entry, scheduling tests and participant reimbursements.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Good judgement, organization and communication are essential in this position. Errors and missed deadlines could result in failure to meet research obligations.

Confidentiality: Employees of the University of British Columbia always work under strict confidentiality because of the nature of the data holdings. Any breach in data security would place the future of the school, and its many programs of research, at risk.

Accuracy and Accountability: Accuracy is essential since errors may have implications for published reports, grant funding, data access, and public relations. The Research Assistant is responsible for checking the reliability and accuracy of work done and reporting challenges and threats directly to her/his supervisor.

Supervision Received
Works under direct supervision of Research Manager – Industry Partnerships from oral/written instructions and to established procedures.
Supervision Given
None.
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

• Ability to effectively use MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint at an intermediate level.

• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Ability to write clearly and follow SOPs and policies.

• Ability to think analytically and conceptually.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise a high level of tact, discretion and sensitivity.

• Ability to work effectively both independently, and in a team environment.

• Good Clinical Practice –ICH-GCP

• Health Canada Div. 5

• TCPS2 Certificate

• Transportation of Dangerous Goods

Three or more years of recent related experience in a research environment or equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Ability to effectively use MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. High degree of computer literacy with ability to use word processing, spreadsheets, internet and electronic mail applications at an intermediate level. Experience with database management, online literature searches and web-based applications an asset. Superior organizational skills. Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, and multi-tasking skills. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to work both independently and within a team environment. Attentive to detail, with the ability to work quickly and accurately. Ability to exercise tact and discretion when handling sensitive and/or confidential matters.