Clinical Research Assistant

University of British Columbia - Staff; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Canada seeks a Clinical Research Assistant to support clinical research operations at their ALSRD Clinic. The role involves assisting with data collection, participant communication, and various research administrative tasks. This position requires strong attention to detail, communication skills, and a commitment to equity and diversity.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of related experience or equivalent education.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including those in conflict.
• Commitment to enhancing awareness of equity and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Assist in literature searches and data analysis under guidance.
• Conduct interviews and complete questionnaires for research.
• Ensure accurate data collection and sample processing.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school graduation

Additional training in related field

Tools

REDCap

Word

Excel

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants Job ProfileNon Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2 Job Title Clinical Research Assistant Department Pioro Laboratory Division of Neurology | Department of Medicine | Faculty of Medicine Compensation Range $4,333.86 - $5,155.61 CAD Monthly Posting End Date June 16, 2025

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

Job End Date

Aug 31, 2026

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 Clinical Research Assistant will support organizing, implementing and performing various functions and duties related to clinical research operations at the UBC Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis & Related Disorders (ALSRD) Clinic. Responds as required to the informational needs of potential research participants, health care workers, and the public regarding ALSRD research.

This position is situated in the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH) – UBC Vancouver campus. Working conditions consist of locked and shared office space with office furnishings and shared supplies.

In addition to areas of the hospital and DMCBH, outpatient study visits take place in clinical offices/exam rooms, and research recording and communication occurs within the research office. Attendance at study progress or research meetings within the hospital or DMCBH is expected. Attendance at clinical research-related professional development training programs or webinars will be strongly encouraged.

Organizational Status
Reports to Clinical Research Coordinator and Research Manager. Liaises with research study Principal Investigator (PI) and co-investigators, the UBC clinical research ethics board (CREB), the research institute (VCHRI), the ALSRD clinical and allied health team, research personnel at collaborating departments at UBC and at other institutions, and representatives of Contract Research Organizations (CROs), sponsors or other funding sources who are initiating or monitoring research studies.

Work Performed

• Assist in basic research tasks such as literature searches, organizing findings and data, simple data analysis, and summarizing findings under guidance.
• Aid in preparing submissions to CREB, and other simple written materials (summaries of literature or basic progress updates and presentation materials), materials for reports and presentations.
• Routine data collection and data entry (CRFs/eCRFs) according to established protocols.
• Preparing and maintaining electronic data capture (EDC) REDCap projects for in-house, investigator-led research studies.
• Ensuring accurate and timely data collection and response to study queries.
• Organize collection, storage and shipment of biomarkers in collaboration with other research assistants, research coordinator/manager, or other staff. Ensuring appropriate sample collection from study participants, including blood, saliva, urine and fecal samples. Sample (basic) processing, storage, and/or shipment per research protocol requirements.
• Organize and order study supplies and/or study drug as directed.
• Carrying out research functions including conducting interviews, completing questionnaires, and providing guidance to participants on self-report measures.
• Creating and maintaining quality documentation on research participants: source documents, case report forms, resolving queries in a timely manner.
• Assist with study participant screening and recruitment, and ensuring enrolment expectations are met.
• Assist with health assessment report collection including checking participant medical and medication history, collecting height and weight and vital signs, bloodwork, MR scan results.
• Informing research coordinator of any Serious Adverse Events experiences by participants during trials.
• Communicating regularly with the help of desk teams of different sponsors to address technical problems on site or with study devices.
• Responding to and answering questions, concerns and problems (general study-related questions as well as non-health related) from participants, patients, and families.
• Developing and maintaining study source documentation to meet study, site, and institutional requirements, including tracker logs and/or databases for participant recruitment & enrollment, sample storage and shipment, study medication inventory & accountability, inventory of other study supplies, research equipment calibration & maintenance, etc.
• Assist with collection, organization, and maintenance of clinical research Essential Records.
• Ensure research tasks are performed in accordance with study protocol, institutional Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), International Council on Harmonization (ICH) – Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and Tri-Council policies and guidelines (TCPS2).
• Support the team with general research office / administrative tasks including basic maintenance, filing, organizing, and assisting with routine preparation for assessments / study visits and meetings.
• Attend study investigator meetings, teleconferences, and education/workshop sessions.
• May perform other related duties as assigned, in line with the qualifications and requirements of the role.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Research Coordinator and Manager rely on the Research Assistant to alert them to clinical problems and unexpected events concerning study participants and trial conduct:

• Clinical mistakes, including lack of careful attention to detail and/or monitoring of study participants, may jeopardize participant safety, wellbeing, and/or confidentiality.
• Lack of /delays in study enrollment, inattention to detail, data entry errors, and work not completed according to deadlines and applicable requirements would threaten integrity of the research, loss of time (project delays) and wasted resources, loss of funding and consideration for future invitations to participate in clinical trials, or lead to investigator / site suspension.
• Poor communication skills with patients or study participants would jeopardize their participation, and with sponsors and referring/community physicians would reflect poorly on the reputation of the research group and site PI.

All activities involving study participants are accountable to the Research Manager.

Supervision Received

Training for the Research Assistant will be provided by the Clinical Research Coordinator and/or Research Manager. Reports to the Clinical Research Coordinator and Research Manager. May collaborate with other research assistants. Works under general supervision; receives detailed instructions on the assignment of new duties and thereafter only on new or unusual problems.

While the work may be of complex nature, tasks are assigned in line with the qualifications and requirements of the role. The Research Assistant is expected to be able to independently plan and schedule their own work, in accordance with any timelines or deadlines that may apply.

Supervision Given
None but may explain work sequence to others.

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

• Certification in current research guidelines and regulations an asset (TCPS2, ICH-GCP, Health Canada Div. 5).
• Working knowledge of REDCap and other EDC systems an asset.
• Experience & working knowledge in the handling of biological specimens an asset.
• Ability to exercise judgement and make decisions in accordance with broad research objectives.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, diplomacy, and empathy.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills; ability to collaborate with diverse staff, study team members, patients and families.
• Availability for some after-hours and weekend work may be required.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge and skills related to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Sound judgment and discretion in maintaining confidentiality & privacy in the management of patient- and study-related sensitive information.
• Exceptional communication and writing skills, analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to independently organize workload & work with minimal supervision, both independently and within a team environment.
• Ability to maintain high standards in quality of work, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Ability to receive and act on constructive feedback.
• Computer proficiency mandatory, including use of Word, Excel and similar applications.