Research Assistant

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

Job 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 Appel-Cresswell Lab within the UBC Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre (PPRC), Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH), is seeking a part-time (0.6FTE) Research Assistant (RA) to be involved with movement disorders research projects.

The incumbent will be primarily involved with working on clinical research studies involving people living with Parkinson’s. Overall duties include recruitment, cognitive testing, motor assessments, data collection and entry, tracking of collected samples, and assisting with study ethics. The successful candidate will provide primary duties on the LENSER study, with secondary duties including but not limited to study administrative tasks and coverage for other studies in the Lab.

The Research Assistant will work onsite (0.6FTE) at the UBC PPRC at DMCBH in Vancouver, BC.
Organizational Status
The Research Assistant will report to the Research Manager and Principal Investigator (PI). The RA may work with graduate students, Fellows, administrative staff, and various hospital staff. This position requires frequent contact with study participants. Once trained, the RA will work independently as per the study protocol procedures, with primary direction as needed from the Research Manager. The RA will meet with the team on a weekly basis; decision-making will be done in consultation with the PI and Research Manager.

Work Performed
Assists with the daily technical operations of lab projects, including but not limited to:

• Executes the study protocol procedures under the direction of the PI and Research Manager, in accordance with UBC CREB, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and Tri-council guidelines (TCPS-2).
• Reviews electronic medical record (EMR) charts for recruitment of appropriate research participants, in a respectful and confidential manner.
• Conducts pre-screening of potential participants to check for study eligibility.
• Prepares participant study visit documents and performs onsite research visits to collect data, administer rating scales, data entry, and perform other study-related procedures.
• Maintains a tracking log of the collected biological samples.
• Maintains the ethics application and any related regulatory documents to ensure accuracy and completeness (updating UBC CREB and VCHRI approvals, certifications, screening logs, etc.).
• Ensures accurate and timely data collection.
• Corresponds in a timely manner with the PI, Research Manager, or collaborating teams.
• Monitors and troubleshoots any study issues in consultation with the Research Manager or team.
• Assists with other lab duties, related administrative tasks (recruitment, data collection, data entry, etc.), or related studies as needed.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Errors made could influence the ability of the Principal Investigator to meet critical deadlines, as well as compromise the results of research projects and affect funding applications, thereby impacting the credibility of the Investigator. Poor decisions may be damaging to the reputation of and cause financial loss to the PI, PPRC, and the University.
Supervision Received
The Research Assistant will report to the PI and Research Manager.
Supervision Given

None, but may provide minimal supervision of volunteers or junior RAs, or may initiate new lab team members in the basic routines and procedures of the lab.
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 (Health Science, Public Health, Neuroscience) or an equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Experienced interactions with patient populations in a respectful and confidential manner.
• Experience in clinical research and working knowledge of research ethics.
• Completion of TCPS-2, GCP, and privacy courses.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with proven verbal and written communication.
• Experience with REDCap and Excel.
• Computer program proficiency (MS Word, Zoom, Teams).
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to show initiative and sound judgment.
• Proven organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize workload, attention to detail in data collection.
• Proactive communications skills.
• Flexibility to adjust to scheduling changes.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, in a respectful manner.