Research Asst/Tech 2 (Lavoie Lab)

ubc; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 51,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The Research Assistant/Tech (RA) will conduct research under the supervision of Dr. P.

Lavoie, performing a range of clinical and basic tasks with precision and independence, and maintaining strong organizational skills and initiative. The RA will support a prospective longitudinal study on how early-life RSV exposure shapes infant immune responses and respiratory health, coordinating participant recruitment, consent, data and biospecimen collection, and assisting lab staff with immunology

Job description

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

Application Acceptance Note

Note: 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

Organizational Culture

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 w (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 of 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.
• T rack completion of questionnaires and coordinate mail-in sample kits.
• L iaise 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, a