Team Shrub - Research Coordinator

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 64,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia in Vancouver invites applications for a Research Coordinator in the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Global Change Ecology of Northern Ecosystems (Team Shrub) led by Prof. Isla Myers-Smith.

The role supports research and project management for a 20-person team and spans field and lab coordination with Indigenous partners. You will plan and coordinate projects, manage budgets up to CAD 1.5 million annually, and assist with grant writing and reporting.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of two years of related experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Oversees planning, coordination, administration, budgeting and reporting for multiple research projects with a 20-person team and a $1.5M annual budget.
• Coordinates field logistics, travel, procurement, equipment and safety for remote and Northern sites.
• Supports grant proposals, funding applications and governance with university units.
• Supervises, trains and provides guidance to research staff, technicians, graduate and undergraduate students.
• Prepares research reports and contributes to publications and fieldwork.

Skills

Project management

Grant writing

Research coordination

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Team Shrub - Research Coordinator

Job Category M&P - AAPS

Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level A

Job Family Group Staff - Non Union

Department Research | Myers-Smith Lab | Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences | Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship

Compensation Range $5,692.25 - $8,179.50 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Job End Date November 30, 2027

Posting End Date November 9, 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.

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 (UBC) 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 underrepresented 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+.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Research Coordinator for the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Global Change Ecology of Northern Ecosystems with experience in research and project management to join the research group (Team Shrub) of Prof. Isla Myers-Smith in Vancouver, Canada.

The Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) project in global change ecology of northern ecosystems will investigate 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. It will also examine the collective impact of these changes on the livelihoods of Indigenous communities in the Yukon Territory, Canada.

The Research Coordinator will work with Principal Investigator Prof. Isla Myers-Smith to plan and coordinate research projects, build strategic relationships with local communities, facilitate team communication, organize strategic planning and funding opportunity meetings, identify and develop new funding opportunities, prepare funding applications, manage budgets and finances, purchase equipment, and oversee field logistics in collaboration with the Field and Lab Research Coordinator.

The role will also involve preparing research reports and participating in research activities, including scientific publications and fieldwork.

The Research Coordinator will collaborate with the PI on research planning, logistics, communication, budgeting, reporting, and related administrative decisions to support the effective delivery of research projects.

The Research Coordinator will supervise team members including undergraduate employees and provide assistance with the supervision of graduate students and other staff members of lower paygrade.

The selected candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team of ecologists including graduate students, postdocs, a Field and Lab Research Coordinator and a Research Data Coordinator and will interact with northern partners and project collaborators including Indigenous partners.

The Research Coordinator will work on UBC campus to participate in our research team and project activities.

Indigenous candidates including Yukon/NWT First Nation or Inuvialuit People are encouraged to apply for the position.

Organizational Status

The Research Coordinator will report directly to the Principal Investigator.

The contract is for 12 months and is renewable pending on performance and funding availability.

Work Performed

Oversees the planning, coordination, administration, communication, budgeting, resource allocation and reporting for multiple research projects and field programs involving a 20-person research team and an annual budget of $1.5 million.

• Researches, develops and implements research project plans, procedures, protocols and timelines, and coordinates laboratory and field research activities at UBC and across the Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Alaska and international locations, including Greenland and Svalbard.
• Oversees project budgets, purchasing, financial tracking and resource allocation for multiple research projects with an annual budget of 1.5 million dollars as well as managing an annual field research budget exceeding $100,000.
• Leads day-to-day communications and relationship-building with over 50 individuals from local communities, Northern stakeholders, research partners and external organizations, including conducting annual consultations and facilitating in-person meetings.
• Coordinates complex field logistics with the Field and Lab Research Coordinator, including travel, accommodation, procurement, shipping, equipment and vehicle maintenance, hiring Indigenous wildlife monitors and research assistants, chartering aircraft, and ensuring field safety at remote and Northern sites.
• Oversees research data management, analysis and dissemination, including annual reporting for two major projects and reporting to the Yukon Government and Indigenous research partners.
• Researches and develops funding opportunities, contributes to grant proposals and funding applications, and supports grant governance in collaboration with UBC's Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship, the VPRI Office, Finance Office and other university units.
• Contributes to the development of new research activities, projects, proposals, research protocols and funding applications including field logistical funding, graduate student research funding and funding for equipment on an annual basis.
• Supervises, trains and provides guidance to research staff, technicians, graduate and undergraduate students, and other project personnel.
• Develops and maintains laboratory and field safety procedures, safety plans, training requirements and emergency response protocols in collaboration with the Field and Lab Research Coordinator.
• Responsible for the submission of research-related import permits and documentation in compliance with Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requirements for international soil and plant samples and the processing of those samples in permitted labs at UBC.
• Maintains and develops the Team Shrub website, communication materials and media engagement.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Principal Investigator.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Research Coordinator will report to the PI and will be required to work independently but will have work checked by the PI on a regular basis. Inappropriate judgment may lead to delays in research progress, lack of safety for team members. Failure to effectively meet deadlines will delay research, ultimately affecting the publication of science along the timelines expected by funding bodies and stakeholders. Failure to appropriately manage the team could lead to conflicts or miscommunication. Failure to manage finances or complete research reporting could result in the loss of research funding. Failure to communicate research findings and manage relationships with partners could result in the breakdown of research collaborations.

Supervision Received

The Research Coordinator will perform their role under minimum supervision, working with the team and engaging in regular meetings with the Principal Investigator, two other project staff (Field and Lab Research Coordinator and the Research Data Coordinator) and collaborators.

Supervision Given

The research coordinator has mentorship or supervisory responsibilities for student employees and other staff lab members, technicians and will have input into staff selection and performance evaluation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 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

• Project management experience.
• A research publication record and/or experience writing scientific grants.
• Experience living or working in the North and/or Arctic and be able to travel for extended period of time during the field season.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities.
• Experience with science communication.
• Experience with project management software.
• Experience with management of large budgets.
• Experience with research reporting.
• Experience collaborating with government organizations.

Additional Information

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. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

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.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

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