Research Assistant

The University of British Columbia; Canada; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia is seeking a Research Assistant for the Therapeutics Initiative, primarily to support two key projects focused on health interventions. The role involves research coordination, data management, and outreach activities aimed at improving medication safety practices. The successful candidate will work closely with a team on data collection, ethics applications, and educational initiatives, emphasizing their strong organizational and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Completion of a relevant technical program or university degree.
• Minimum three years of related experience or equivalent education.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Assist in organizing and coordinating research projects.
• Conduct recruitment and data collection for research studies.
• Prepare and maintain accurate project records.

Skills

Coordination Skills

Attention to Detail

Effective Communication

Ability to Work Independently

Education

Relevant Degree or Technical Program

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

WordPress

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Title

Research Assistant

Department

Therapeutics Initiative | Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics | Faculty of Medicine (Colin Dormuth)

Posting End Date

July 31, 2025

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

Job End Date

Aug 14, 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 Research Assistant will provide research assistance and coordination primarily for two projects of the Therapeutics Initiative (TI) in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC: 1) a CIHR-funded research project, and 2) the Education Working Group. The CIHR-funded research project is a mixed-method study to develop and evaluate an audit-and-feedback intervention to improve the uptake of Health Canada safety advisories for medicines in British Columbia. This project has a co-design approach, involving clinicians and patients/caregivers. The Education Working Group is an ongoing program of outreach and education for clinicians and the public in BC, providing up-to-date, evidence-based, practical information in the area of rational drug therapy.

This is a 1.0 FTE position within the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics (Therapeutics Section). The candidate is responsible to support the co-design and qualitative components of the 4-year CIHR project Safety Advisory Framework for Effective Risk communication (SAFER) and the outreach, education and administrative work of the Education Working Group. Research assistance and coordination for other related projects as suited to the position will also be required.

Organizational Status
The Therapeutics Initiative (TI) is composed of four working groups. The incumbent reports to Dr. Colin Dormuth, TI co-Managing Director and Principal Investigator of the CIHR project, and to Dr. Aaron Tejani, EWG co-Chair. The TI is an independent research organization within UBC's Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics. The TI's mission is to provide clinicians and decision makers with up-to-date, evidence-based, unbiased, and practical information on prescription drug therapy. The position is located in Victoria (preferred) or Vancouver, but the incumbent will work with team members across BC.

Work Performed

• Ethics and Data Access: Complete ethics applications, amendments, and renewals and coordinate completion and submission of data access request(s) and research outputs.
• Recruitment and Data Collection: Carry out recruitment and enrollment of co-design workshop participants and participants of qualitative interviews/focus groups, including informed consent and safety procedures as per UBC ethics protocol. Maintains accurate and up-to-date records for recruitment and data collection.
• Project Administration: Coordinate team meetings, co-design workshops, and qualitative interviews/focus groups, includes coordinating complex schedules, communication with study participants and study team members, taking meeting notes, and tracking communications as needed.
• Digital Content: Assists with preparation of website content for the study. Post and edit website using WordPress.
• Event Planning: Coordinate all aspects of educational events, from initial planning to post-event evaluations. Source and manage venues, catering, audiovisual equipment, and other event-related logistics. Collaborate with speakers, presenters, and educators to ensure a high-quality learning experience.
• Promotion and Marketing: Assists with designing and developing promotional and presentation material to promote educational offering, including digital and print.
• Audience Engagement: Liaise with professional organizations and academic institutions. Identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership to enhance educational offerings. Respond to inquiries and provide information to prospective participants and partners.
• Data Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of event-related information. Analyze data and feedback to assess the success of events and identify areas for improvement.
• Performs other related duties as required, suitable to the skills and experience of the position.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The TI office deals with sensitive matters involving government and public relations, personnel questions, conflict of interest, donors, etc. This position has access to highly confidential information that requires discretion and professionalism. Errors could lead to serious losses in reputation by the University, loss of revenue, legal proceedings, embarrassment to the TI Executives and other University officials. Uses judgment and initiative in handling non-routine matters that require the interpretation of University and Faculty guidelines, procedures, and policies. Expected to exercise judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion in a timely way.

Supervision Received
Reports to the study Principal and Co-Investigators and the Project Manager of the CIHR project and the Co-Chair of the Education Working Group. Must be highly self-directed, taking initiative and working independently under the general direction of the assigned Executives and as part of a team environment. Performance will be evaluated against set objectives

Supervision Given
May assign and check work of support staff or students.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three 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

• Must have intermediate skills in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Ability to use internet applications (e.g., WordPress) and tools at an intermediate level.
• Ability to effectively coordinate meetings, take minutes, and schedule daily activities.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills using clear concise business English.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, and have a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise tact, sound judgment, and discretion with confidential matters.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own, and demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills relate to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people in a calm, courteous and professional manner, and to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships within the team.
• Experience working in a post-secondary research environment. Knowledge of UBC policies and procedures, tri-council research policies, ethics, and data access are assets.
• Experience with research data management or database management (specifically data cleaning and processing).
• Experience with videoconferencing and teleconferencing systems.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a range of office equipment and troubleshoot hardware and software issues.
• Intermediate skills in internet applications and tools and Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Demonstrated ability to manage Outlook and related electronic platforms.
• Ability to exercise tact, sound judgment, and discretion with confidential matters.

About Us

UBC - One of the World's Leading Universities

As one of the world's leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at [e-mail] .