Research Project Assistant, Various Programs and Services

Provincial Health Services Authority; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as a Research Project Assistant, where you will play a vital role in supporting impactful research initiatives. This position involves conducting literature searches, assisting with ethics applications, and analyzing data to contribute to meaningful studies. You will be part of a dedicated team that values inclusivity and cultural safety, ensuring that your work directly impacts the health and well-being of diverse communities. With opportunities for professional development and a comprehensive benefits package, this role is perfect for someone passionate about making a difference in healthcare research.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work options

Annual statutory holidays

Access to WorkPerks discount program

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in research project work.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate good judgment.
• Knowledge of Indigenous-specific racism and health contexts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct literature searches and compile information for research.
• Assist with ethics applications and data collection for studies.
• Prepare reports and documents for publication.

Skills

Research Project Management

Data Analysis

Literature Search

Report Writing

Interpersonal Communication

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Sciences or Social Sciences

Tools

Microsoft Office

Library Database Searching

Job description

Research Project Assistant, Research Clinical Trials

BC Cancer

Vancouver, BC

The Research Project Assistant (RPA) performs a variety of duties of a knowledge based nature to assist the Investigator in the execution of research. The RPA provides support for research studies by completing duties such as conducting literature searches, compiling information, completing data entry and participating in analysis, formatting research presentations, and completing and updating web-based forms for research applications.

The RPA prepares reports and documents for publication and is responsible for completing technically sound work independently with overall objectives provided by the supervisor. The RPA prioritizes work assignments and analyses and interprets available information in order to make decisions affecting the completion and accuracy of their work and that of others.

What you’ll do

• Conduct literature searches on various topics related to the program of study. The information is required to fulfill the mandate for the research program; it will be collected for members of the research program.
• Create and maintain various systems for document retrieval that are easily searched, including project resources and relevant articles.
• Research funding agencies and research groups and organizations so the project can have a map of other activities.
• Assist staff with ethics applications, and recruitment and data collection of study participants for research projects.
• Complete data entry and participates in the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Complete and update web-based funding application forms for various research projects.
• Compile information, formats and designs relevant documents and reports for review by the team members and assists staff in report writing and proofreading documents.
• Update website with new projects and on-going research activities.
• Coordinate meetings and conferences and takes minutes when necessary.
• Provide planning, and coordination support for meetings and special events, such as workshops, conferences and health fairs, and prepares related material for public communications.

What you bring

Qualifications:

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline (e.g. sciences, social sciences, healthcare, or communications).
• Two (2) years of experience conducting research project work.
• Experience conducting literature searches, participating in data entry and analysis, and report writing considered an asset.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies:

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Youhave:

• Knowledge of library database searching methods.
• Computer skills including the ability to work in an intermediate Microsoft Office environment utilizing a wide variety of software.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate good judgment. Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with others.
• Ability to write articles, newsletters and reports.
• Ability to work under time constraints.
• Ability to work within an environment of changing priorities.
• Demonstrated deep understanding of their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Able to articulate and share this journey to motivate and inspire others.
• Knowledge of the social, economic, political realities of settler-colonialism and impacts on Indigenous peoples in social and health contexts as well as knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments in the foundational documents: Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type:Temporary, Full-Time (Until June 9, 2026)

SalaryRange:$48,476 - $63,624 per year.The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Location:600 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, V5Z 4E6

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work:Monday to Friday; 0800-1600

Requisition Number: 183363E

** Please note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not a guarantee, entitlement or an employee benefit after receiving a full time job offer with PHSA**

What we do

BC Cancerprovides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs:jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support [e-mail].

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:

You must apply via your internal profile athttp://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires onMay 15, 2025,and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please [e-mail] the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant.Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please [e-mail] your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team [e-mail].