Staff - Non Union Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2 Job Title Research Assistant /Technician 2 Department Liu-Ambrose Laboratory | Department of Physical Therapy | Faculty of Medicine Compensation Range $4,333.86 - $5,155.61 CAD Monthly Posting End Date June 19, 2025 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date Aug 31, 2025 This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University. 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 provide support to Teresa Liu-Ambrose’s Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Health (AMC) Lab. Under the direct supervision of Teresa Liu-Ambrose, will provide ongoing administrative and research support for research activities related to healthy aging in the AMC Lab. The AMC Lab functions under the umbrella of the Department of Physical Therapy, the DM Centre for Brain Health, and the Centre for Aging SMART at VCH. The candidate will be primarily responsible for participant recruitment, schedules, data collection, database creation, data management, and data checking under the supervision of Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose and will work with the Research Coordinator on a daily basis. Other research facilitation activities are described below. Organizational Status Reports directly and daily to the Lab Research Coordinator and weekly to program Director (Teresa Liu-Ambrose) Working Relationship The 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 Recruit older participants with multiple co-morbidities, with a specific focus on those with mild cognitive impairment or mobility impairments; this may require making home visits. Working with the Research Coordinator to launch research studies. This includes: developing SOPs, developing data capture forms and databases, developing training modules/manuals; scheduling, interviewing new personnel/volunteers, and trialling and refining protocols before finalizing them. Provide oversight to data collection, ensuring data are being collected, stored, and managed according to protocol. This includes the completion of scheduled observations and checklist, documenting any deviations, and reporting them back to the Director. Monitor all adverse events reported in the different studies, document them, and have them reviewed by each study’s data and safety monitoring committees. Monitoring and documentation of intervention adherence (e.g., class adherence) and providing regular updates to the Director. Assist in the delivery of interventions when required (e.g., staffing shortages, illnesses). Create and manage confidential data capture; will be responsible for accuracy/validity of data entered as well timely download of e-files and proper storage of both e-files and physical files, adhering to approved ethics. Collect data according to protocol and enter data with minimal error with direct supervision from the Director. Train and oversee undergraduate or volunteers to do the same per protocol. Make telephone calls to recruit or collect data; every effort must be made to ensure the timeliness of these phone calls and completeness of data collection. Liaises with research participants and research collaborators to develop relationships that is positive and informative Liaises and coordinates with the Research Coordinator, AMC research staff, graduate students, WorkLearns, and volunteers to complete tasks with efficiency and accuracy. Support to the activities of the AMC Laboratory by supervising and training undergraduate trainees, including WorkLearns and volunteers, in basic tasks. Interview WorkLearns and volunteers, and in consultation with the Research Coordinator and Director, make decisions to hire. Assist the Director in activities relating to lab management, such as tracking inventory and supplies, purchasing of supplies, organizing files, and CV updating. May be required to assist Research Coordinator or Director with ethics applications, including amendments and annual renewals. May be required to assist Research Coordinator or Director with planning and booking of facilities for research seminars and conferences hosted by the Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience Health Lab. Consequence of Error/Judgement 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, wellbeing, and privacy 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. Poor financial decisions would affect the ability of the Unit to manage its resources effectively that would result in research projects being delayed or cancelled altogether. Supervision Received Works independently in consultation with the Director of the research program and Research Coordinator on a regular basis Supervision Given Responsible for training and supervising measurement staff/students for data collection purposes Responsible for contributing to ensuring a safe environment for research participants during the delivery of behaviour interventions (e.g., exercise classes) and during assessments. Working Conditions Office environment with current computer equipment. Will be interacting directly with older adults on a daily basis and work within a team composed of graduate students and research assistants and lead Research Coordinator. May be required to make home visits on occasion for recruitment or data collection. Will be required to travel between UBC and VGH – sites of the AMC research program. 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 have a university degree in a relevant discipline plus a minimum of two year experience of related experience in a university clinical research laboratory that focused on clinical research. Strong preference will be given to those with previous research experience in geriatrics, cognitive aging, and exercise prescription (in older adults). Candidate must be certified in exercise training (e.g., ACSM, CESP, BCAK). Candidate must have had direct work or volunteer experience with older adults with cognitive or physical impairment. Candidate must also have excellent written and oral communications skills, as well as organization skills. Strong preference will be given to those who have solid and demonstrated experience in mobility assessments, cardiovascular fitness testing, blood sample collection and processing, neuropsychological testing, and leading group-based exercise programs in older adults. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Knowledge of age-related changes in physical and cognitive abilities Strong understanding of physiological and cognitive responses to exercise, especially in older adults Have a background in women’s health is preferred. Must demonstrate excellent attention to detail and accuracy Laboratory maintenance and development experience Excellent oral and written communication skills Excellent organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple tasks/competing demands Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines Exercise discretion, tact, and confidentiality Must demonstrate ability to receive and respond to critical feedback for the sake of improving job performance Technical proficiency using various word processing software, spreadsheet programs, presentation software, data bases and Internet Knowledge user of REDCap, MS Teams, and Microsoft Office 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 workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.
