Research Exercise Instructor & Research Assistant

UBC; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

University of British Columbia seeks a Research Exercise Instructor & Research Assistant to deliver group exercise programs and assist with data collection for grant-funded research at the Vancouver General Hospital campus. The role includes health coaching, participant engagement, and adherence to study procedures under supervision.

You will assist with data entry, recruitment, and coordination, ensuring safety, accuracy, and timely reporting to the Lab Research Coordinator and Director of the

Qualifications

• High school graduation with related training and two years of related experience.
• CPR with AED training preferred.
• University degree in a relevant discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead or assist in delivering experimental interventions per protocol.
• Teach exercises to individuals or groups, in person or via Zoom.
• Monitor safety and document adverse events.
• Provide health coaching to promote physical activity.
• Collect data and enter data with supervision.
• Coordinate scheduling and recruitment for studies.
• Maintain lab safety and attendance records.

Skills

Exercise instruction

Data collection

Data entry

Study recruitment

Health coaching

Participant communication

Education

High school diploma

Related training

2+ years related experience

University degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Job Title

Research Exercise Instructor & Research Assistant

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Family Group

Staff - Non Union

Department

Liu-Ambrose Laboratory | Department of Physical Therapy | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$28.29 - $33.66 CAD Hourly

Job End Date

October 31, 2027

Posting End Date

December 3, 2026

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

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
To assist in and carrying out activities to support grant‑funded research. Under the direct supervision of Dr. Liu‑Ambrose, delivers or assist group‑based exercise programs to research participants out of a research facility, located at the Vancouver General Hospital campus. Will also facilitate research by assisting with data collection, data entry, and study recruitment. The Aging, Mobility, Cognitive Health Research Program functions under the umbrella of the Department of Physical Therapy, the Djavad Mowifaghian Centre for Brain Health, and the Centre for Aging SMART at Vancouver Coastal Health. Candidate will also provide health coaching to promote physical activity among research participants. Under the supervision of research coordinators, the candidate will assist with data collection, data entry, and data checking and report to Teresa Liu‑Ambrose on a weekly basis.

Organizational Status
Reports directly and daily to the Lab Research Coordinator and Lead Exercise Instructor and weekly to program Director (Teresa Liu‑Ambrose)

Working Relationship:

The FULL‑TIME position will work directly and report to the Faculty member who is mounting the study. This will involve working with developed systems and procedures, following direction from the Research Coordinator and Director of the research program (will not be working independently, will be working as a part of a team, under direction).

Work Performed

1. Lead or assist in delivery of experimental interventions according to protocol. Ensure safety and wellbeing of participants throughout the intervention delivery. Specifically,

• Teaching exercises to individuals and groups, following set protocols; this may be done in person or via online platforms via Zoom
• Monitor participants before, during, and immediately after classes to ensure their safety
• Document and report all possible adverse events observed during classes
• Initiate and follow emergency protocol when required
• Assures established lab safety protocols and safety procedures are followed
• Keeping records of all participants’ attendance and progression. Such records must be kept up to date and include all information instructed by Program Director
• Providing motivation and feedback to research participants
• Be able to provide in person class instruction time before or after usual work hours of 9-5 pm
• Attending all mandatory lab meetings and maintain ongoing communication regarding the status of participants and classes
• Communicating in a pleasant, courteous manner and giving responsive service to all participants
• Keeping informed of the Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Health, VCHRI, and UBC policies and procedures and enforcement thereof

1. Provide health coaching sessions to promote physical activity to research participants. Specifically:

• Use principles of Brief Action Plan
• Deliver the sessions according to protocol and schedule; sessions can be delivered in person or by phone/virtual
• Document and record each session as instructed.

1. Collect data according to protocol and enter data with minimal error with direct supervision from the Director/Coordinator using preset forms and databases.

1. Liaises with research participants to develop relationships that is positive and informative

1. Assist in coordination of studies, including scheduling of assessments as well as recruitment

1. Performs other related duties as assigned

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This is a position of trust as it delivers programs to older adults from the community at large who consented and volunteered for research. Errors could result in personal injury, injury and adverse events for participants, financial loss as well as in damage to the reputation of the Department of Physical Therapy, Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Heath Research Program, and the University of British Columbia.

Inappropriate judgement and noncompliance to standard protocols would greatly compromise the quality of research studies and related data acquisition and the reporting of research outcomes.

Inappropriate judgement and noncompliance to standard protocols also could compromise the safety and wellbeing of the participants.

Inappropriate judgement and noncompliance to standard protocols would compromise research success and affect the credibility of the Principal Investigator and the research program.

Supervision Received
Works independently in direct consultation with the Director of the research program on a regular basis

Supervision Given
Responsible for contributing to ensuring a safe environment for research participants during the delivery of behaviour interventions (e.g., exercise classes) and during assessments.

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

Education & Experience:

• Candidate must be a certified as an exercise instructor with experience in instructing . For example, valid BCPRA Personal Trainer certification (with Older Adult specialty; Third Age Certification) or valid BCRPA Group Fitness certification (with Older Adults specialty; Third Age Certification) or Valid NSCA Certified Personal Trainer Certification or Valid ACSM - CPT certification or Valid CSEP - Certified Personal Trainer Certification. Strong preference will be given to those who have an educational background in clinical exercise physiology, human kinetics, or those who have worked extensively with older adults.

• Candidate must have a university degree in a relevant discipline plus previous work or volunteer experience in instructing exercises to adults. Strong preference will be given to those with previous research, volunteer, or work experience in geriatrics, cognitive aging, and exercise (in older adults).

• Must be certified in CPR (with AED training).

• Candidate must also have excellent written and oral communications skills, as well as organization skills.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Good physical health and mobility for lifting, exercising, bending, reaching, spotting and coaching
• Must be able to follow written protocols and oral requests accurately
• Ability to communicate clearly and factually with faculty, staff, research participants, and students
• Must have excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
• Must demonstrate ability to receive and respond to critical feedback for the sake of improving job performance