Research Data Coordinator

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Vancouver seeks a Research Data Coordinator to manage ecological datasets and assist in major research programs. The ideal candidate will hold a graduate degree and have extensive experience in data management, GIS, and statistical analysis. Responsibilities include coordinating data storage, conducting analyses, and mentoring team members. The role offers a full-time one-year position with benefits and opportunities for collaboration in an interdisciplinary environment.

Benefits

Extended health coverage

Dental coverage

Qualifications

• Completion of a university graduate degree in relevant discipline.
• A minimum of four years related experience or equivalent.
• Experience in ecological data management and statistical analysis.
• Proficiency in programming and data analysis tools.
• Fluency in verbal and written English.

Responsibilities

• Oversee long-term data storage and assess team needs.
• Compile and maintain datasets from various sources.
• Conduct statistical and spatial analyses of datasets.
• Implement software and workflows for data processing.
• Train team members in data science skills.

Skills

Data analysis

Data management

GIS

Statistical analysis

Programming

Communication skills

Education

MSc or PhD in a relevant discipline

Tools

R

Python

GIS software

Job description

Job Category: Non Union
Job Title: Research Data Coordinator
Department: Research | Myers‑Smith Lab | Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences | Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship
Compensation Range: $5,220.98 - $6,124.46 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date: January 24, 2026 (Applications accepted until 11:59 PM on Posting End Date)

Job End Date: November 15, 2026

Job Summary

We are seeking a Research Data Coordinator with experience in research and project management to join the research group (Team Shrub) of Prof. Isla Myers‑Smith in Vancouver, Canada to support two major research programs, the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Global Change Ecology of Northern Ecosystems and the ERC‑synergy Project Pathways of Resilience and Evasion of Tipping in Ecosystem (RESILIENCE).

The CERC project in Global Change Ecology of Northern Ecosystems investigates how warming temperatures and shifting seasonality affect Arctic tundra, alpine and boreal forest ecosystems, including changes in plant growth, habitat composition, wildlife movement and species ranges. This research also examines the collective impact of these changes on the livelihoods of Indigenous communities in the Yukon Territory, Canada.

The RESILIENCE project aims to study how spatial patterns within tundra ecosystems confer resilience in ecological change. This work integrates satellite imagery, drone data and in‑situ measurements from sites across the circumpolar Arctic to quantify spatial variability, especially in permafrost regions. By combining field data with mathematical and physical modeling, this international project aims to advance our understanding of the impacts of permafrost thaw beyond ecological tipping points. Understanding these impacts is critical for predicting landscape change and resilience.

The Research Data Coordinator will work with the principal investigator Prof. Isla Myers‑Smith to coordinate the project datasets, conduct analyses and interact with the project team and Northern, Canadian and international collaborators. Specifically, the Research Data Coordinator will work with the PI in designing data storage architecture for the eight‑year project, developing software and maintaining hardware such as computer, storage systems and scientific equipment for the collection and compilation, analysis, version control and publication of datasets in public data repositories and scientific paper. The Research Data Coordinator will assist with data analyses, providing technical support in remote sensing, GIS, programming and project mentorship to students and staff within the Team Shrub research group and to our Indigenous and other research partners. The Research Data Coordinator will also plan and implement the collaboration with the project team and our Northern, Canadian and international collaborators, provide training and mentorship and will lead or participate in research activities including data syntheses and cross‑site field research under the PI’s instruction.

The selected candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team of ecologists including graduate students, postdocs and will interact with northern partners and project collaborators. The Research Data Coordinator will be expected to actively participate in our research team meetings, collaborative initiatives and project activities.

The selected candidate should have a background in data analysis, data management, GIS, map making, web development, statistical analysis, in an academic setting or similar. They should have strong communication skills and be keen to train and mentor members of the research team and work closely with our partners and collaborators.

Work Performed

• Oversee long‑term data storage by assessing team needs with the PI, maintaining databases and supporting data migration to institutional platforms (e.g., UBC ARC Chinook).
• Compile and maintain datasets from drones, satellites, monitoring plots, experimental studies and collaborators; maintain version control and prepare data for submission to public repositories and collaborative networks.
• Conduct statistical and spatial analyses of ecological and climate datasets.
• Implement software, hardware and workflows for the research team for data processing and visualization (e.g., remote sensing, drone satellite data, mapping).
• Train other team members in data science skills including coding, statistical analysis, GIS, data visualization, map making and more.
• Coordinate research activities including scientific publications and field research expeditions.
• Collaborate with the project team and collaborators across Canada and internationally.
• Supervise early‑career researchers within the project team and provide training and mentorship to team members and coordinate data synthesis activities.
• Participate in scientific discussions and presentations in local, Canadian and international scientific meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a university graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in a relevant discipline or technical program (computer science, bioinformatics, environmental/ecological data science or other relevant degree).
• A minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience in ecological data management and statistical analysis.
• Proficiency in programming and data analysis tools (e.g., R, Python, GIS…).
• Experience in remote sensing data processing and analysis.
• Fluency in verbal and written English.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Willingness to work on a variety of data science–related projects.
• Ability to organize, analyze and communicate scientific data in the form of scientific publications.
• Proficiency in the writing and documentation of code and software applications.
• Independence and takes initiative in multitasking and multi‑disciplinary environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment as a part of a diverse team.
• Willingness to provide mentorship to early‑career researchers on the team.
• 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

• Strong analytical skills and a solid foundation in data synthesis, remote sensing, spatial analysis and Bayesian statistics.
• Strong proficiencies in R and/or Python.
• Experience with version control in GitHub.
• Experience conducting fieldwork.
• Experience in northern ecosystems, living or working in Arctic, alpine or boreal ecosystems.
• Experience with ecological data synthesis, high performing computing (HPC) and cloud‑based data storage.
• Willingness to lead fieldwork in Northern locations.
• Experience with web design, map making, data visualization and/or graphic design.

Offer

You will be offered a full‑time one‑year position with the potential for contract extension through out the duration of the project. UBC offers a wide‑ranging benefits plan that includes extended health and dental coverage.

About the Organization

This position will be based at the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus, which is located on the territory of the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) People.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry is recognized globally as one of the leading forestry faculties in the world. As the largest Faculty of Forestry in Canada, we welcome almost 1500 undergraduate and graduate students from over 40 countries every year to study forestry at UBC.

We strive to create a respectful, positive and safe working environment for people of all backgrounds. We believe that inclusiveness and diversity are essential to academic excellence. We encourage members of under‑represented groups to apply including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black‑identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Additional Information

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Isla Myers‑Smith (contact information at https://forestry.ubc.ca/faculty-profile/isla-myers-smith/).