Research Asst/Tech 2 (Lavoie Lab)

The University of British Columbia; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 51,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia in Vancouver seeks a Research Assistant/Technician 2 to support the Lavoie Laboratory’s longitudinal study on RSV and infant immune responses.

The RA will manage recruitment, data and biospecimen collection, assist with immunology assays, supervise junior staff, and prepare progress reports under PI supervision. This on-site role emphasizes accuracy, ethics, and collaborative teamwork.

Qualifications

• High school graduation with related field training and 2+ years of related experience.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in research settings.
• Willingness to work in hospital/clinic environments and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate participant recruitment and informed consent with clinical teams.
• Schedule visits and manage data collection, questionnaires and biospecimens.
• Enter data in REDCap and verify clinical information for accuracy.
• Assist with immunology assays and lab activities (flow cytometry, viral assays).
• Prepare progress reports and mentor junior staff on study procedures.

Skills

Lab techniques

Data collection

Communication with participants

Education

High school diploma

Tools

REDCap

Job description

Staff - Non Union Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title: Research Asst/Tech 2 (Lavoie Lab)

Department: Lavoie Laboratory | Department of Paediatrics | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range: $4,597.80 - $5,469.59 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date: September 9, 2026 (Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date)

Job End Date: October 26, 2027

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks.

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/Tech (RA) will conduct research under the supervision of Dr. P. Lavoie. The position requires ability to perform a wide variety of clinical and basic research tasks with a high degree of competence, precision and independence as well as exceptional organizational skills, motivation, enthusiasm, and initiative are required for this position.

The primary responsibilities of the RA are to oversee day-to-day operations of a new prospective longitudinal cohort study examining how early-life exposure to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shapes infant immune responses and long-term respiratory health. The coordinator will ensure the smooth conduct of participant recruitment, consent, data and biospecimen collection, working closely with clinical, research, and laboratory teams. The RA will also support graduate students and other lab staff performing immunology experiments, including viral neutralization assays, other immunology experiences (e.g. flow cytometry, cell culture). The RA will prepare reports to communicate study progress to the rest of the team. Moreover, the RA will work with the RSV Program Manager to complete reports, enter clinical data related to this PHSA infant immunization provincial program, as needed. Additionally, the RA will assist senior team members to troubleshoot problems as they arise and to coordinate, monitor and ensure the implementation of laboratory safety rules. The RA may also offer ongoing training and oversight for up to two junior members regarding techniques outlined in the study protocol (conducting blood collections at school-based clinics). The RA is expected to attend professional development opportunities as they appear at BCCHRI, BCWRI and UBC. The RA meets with the PI and the study team weekly. Organizational Status Reports to PI, Dr. Lavoie and Project Manager (Allison Watts). Also, may work in close collaboration with Co-Investigators, other RSV Program staff, and other research personnel.

Work Performed

• Coordinate participant identification and recruitment in collaboration with obstetric and neonatal teams at BC Women’s Hospital.
• Communicate effectively with parents, answer study‑related questions, and obtain informed consent. This includes interacting over email, phone and in person, help scheduling of appointments, providing routine information about the study, helping participants to feel informed about the study and comfortable in the study.
• Schedule and manage study visits for mothers and infants according to study timelines.
• Maintain strong relationships with hospital units (e.g., maternity wards, labs, outpatient clinics) to ensure smooth sample collection.
• Oversee collection, labeling, tracking, and secure storage of biospecimens.
• Enter and verify participant data and clinical information in REDCap and other databases.
• Track completion of questionnaires and coordinate mail‑in sample kits.
• Liaise with laboratory staff to ensure timely processing and transfer of samples.
• Ensure all study procedures follow ethical, privacy, and safety standards (UBC/PHSA/BCCHR).
• Maintain participant confidentiality and handle data according to privacy regulations.
• Help prepare materials such as study flyers, participant updates, and lay summaries.
• Maintaining and organizing the study participant log and other important project related files, including liaising with blood collection lab at BC Children’s Hospital, maintaining sample inventory logs, collecting data, administering questionnaires and completing case report forms and source documents in accordance with GCP guidelines.
• Contribute to scientific presentations, publications, and grant reporting as needed.

Other Duties

• Work with Research Associate to conduct viral microneutralization assays, flow cytometry, molecular biology, as needed.
• Work with RSV Program Project Manager to support data analysis and reporting, as needed.
• Recording, analyzing and interpreting clinical research data.
• Writing progress reports as requested.
• Maintaining study database.
• Maintaining other study related files.
• Other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The RA is required to conduct the research and operational activities in an ethical manner, working independently with minimal instruction and supervision. Study data must be reliably and accurately recorded. Strict confidentiality of all study participants must be adhered to.

All activities involving participants are accountable to the Principal Investigator, the Department Head, and the Research Assistant's governing professional organization.

Supervision Received

Works independently under very general supervision provided by the PI.

Supervision Given

May oversee and direct the work of junior staff members regarding specific tasks related to study procedures, communication, record keeping, consenting and blood collections.

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

• Prior experience working in a hospital setting or across the school board is an asset.

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.

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.

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