Research Assistant

The University of British Columbia; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established academic institution is seeking a dedicated Research Assistant to support data-intensive research at the Vancouver School of Economics. This role involves collaborating closely with faculty members on various economic subfields, including labor economics and public economics. The ideal candidate will possess strong quantitative skills, experience in data manipulation, and proficiency in LaTeX, Stata, and R. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful research projects while working in a dynamic and inclusive environment that values diversity and collaboration. Join a team committed to academic excellence and innovation in research!

Qualifications

• 3+ years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong quantitative and statistical background in economics is essential.

Responsibilities

• Identify research gaps and assist with writing reports and grant applications.
• Support research through database management, data manipulation, and analysis.

Skills

Quantitative Analysis

Qualitative Research

Data Manipulation

Academic Writing

Literature Review

Communication Skills

Education

Undergraduate Degree in Economics

Technical Program or Relevant Degree

Tools

LaTeX

Stata

R

Python

Job description

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, however, may be subject to change due to operational requirements.

Location: UBC Vancouver Campus

Time Type: Full time

Posted On: Posted Yesterday

Job Requisition ID: JR20029

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Research Assistant

Department

Administrative Support | CIDER Admin Support and RA's | Vancouver School of Economics

Compensation Range

$4,757.00 - $5,187.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

February 21, 2025

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

Job End Date

Jul 31, 2026

There are two (2) vacancies open for this fixed term position.

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 Vancouver School of Economics (VSE) uses state-of-the-art data-intensive research. The VSE encourages collaboration with other world-leading researchers and institutions through workshops, exchanges, and visits. The Vancouver School of Economics is Canada’s top-ranked department and among the leading economics departments in the world.

The Centre for Innovative Data in Economics Research (CIDER) at VSE is a hub for data-intensive economic research. CIDER facilitates collaboration with leading researchers and institutions, providing access to advanced data resources and computational tools to support high-impact research projects.

The research assistants will support the research initiatives of leading research faculty members at the Vancouver School of Economics and CIDER. The areas of inquiry are in a diverse range of economic subfields, including labor economics, development, economic history, political economy, public economics, the economics of crime, and applied microeconomics. The ideal candidate will have past experience working both quantitatively and qualitatively. The work entails extensive data manipulation, proofreading, and literature reviews. Writing, both of journal articles and grant applications, is also required. Candidates must have knowledge of LaTeX and the ideal candidate will have past experience in academic writing.

Organizational Status

The job entails close collaboration with a faculty member from the VSE. The successful candidate will be involved in all aspects of research and will have past experience working in an academic environment with economists.

Work Performed

• Identifies research gaps through literature reviews and assists the PIs by recommending potential research questions to explore.

• Writes reports and assists with writing grant applications in terms of conceptualization and articulation.

• Supports research by engaging in database management, data manipulation, data analysis, and data visualization. They must be fluent in econometrics and data analysis, and have some experience with the programming language Stata, R, and/or Python.

• Writes reports and assists with the logistics of and preparation of grant applications. For this, they must have an extensive working knowledge of LaTeX.

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

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This is a research assistant position within a research project involving a variety of projects and sophisticated research methods. The work requires considerable judgement in the management of research priorities, data, applications, schedules, and task delegation. The ideal candidate will have past experience working in such environments.

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 VSE, 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

The successful candidate will work under the direction of Dr. Reka Juhasz (Vancouver School of Economics, University of British Columbia) and the CIDER Research Manager.

Supervision Given

May work with other research assistants or other PIs who are participating in the research team.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Undergraduate degree in Economics. Individuals with other educational backgrounds are welcome to apply if they have the requisite skills and experience.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A strong quantitative and statistical background in economics;

• Be comfortable reading substantial amounts of text, have training in econometrics;

• Some basic familiarity with LaTeX, STATA, and R is required.

• A proven ability to work within an academic team with a common goal of producing academic research;

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; and

• A long-term interest in pursuing research in economics.

This position is in-person at a UBC location.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty, and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

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].