Staff - Non Union Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3 Job Title Research Assistant Department Cresswell Laboratory Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre Division of Neurology| Department of Medicine | Faculty of Medicine Compensation Range $4,567.04 - $5,385.67 CAD Monthly Posting End Date August 20, 2025 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date September 30, 2026 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 The Appel-Cresswell Lab within the UBC Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre (PPRC), Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH), is seeking a fulltime (1.0FTE) Research Assistant (RA) to be involved with movement disorder research projects. The incumbent will be responsible for the technical lab duties (venipuncture, collection and tracking of human biological samples, and sample processing (blood, urine, and fecal)) of studies involving people living with Parkinson’s. Secondary duties include recruitment and data collection from this site for the Canadian Open Parkinson Network (C-OPN). As needed, the successful candidate will also assist with the overall facilitation of biospecimens involved in other Appel-Cresswell Lab projects, administrative tasks, and work with other staff members in the PPRC. The Research Assistant will work in-person at the PPRC at DMCBH in Vancouver, BC. Organizational Status The RA will report to the Principal Investigator (PI) and Clinical Research Lab Manager; the RA may also work with graduate students, Fellows, administrative staff, and various hospital staff. The RA will be the primary contact for the technical lab operations associated with the studies. Once trained, the RA will work independently on assigned routine tasks under the direction of the Clinical Research Lab Manager, and meet with the team on a weekly basis; decision-making will be done in consultation with the PI and Clinical Research Lab Manager. Work Performed Assists with the daily technical operations of the lab projects, including but not limited to: Collecting human blood samples (venipuncture training provided) and preparing shipments as needed, Assisting with timely, accurate, and detailed logging of samples in Open Specimen and REDCap, Processing of human biological specimens (blood, urine, fecal), Tracking inventory and ordering of routine lab supplies (collection tubes, gloves, sanitizing agents, etc.) for multiple clinical projects, Logging ‘permission-to-contact’ forms into associated electronic medical record (EMR) charts and recruiting participants for C-OPN, Organizing C-OPN study visits, collecting data via structured questionnaires, entering data in an accurate and timely manner, Maintaining the Biosafety ethics approval and standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to sample processing, Monitoring and troubleshooting any technical lab issues in consultation with the team, Communicating study updates to the Clinical Research Lab Manager on a regular basis, Participating in weekly lab meetings and research rounds, Assisting with other lab duties, related administrative tasks, or related studies as needed. Consequence of Error/Judgement Errors made could influence the ability of the PI to meet critical deadlines, as well as compromise the results of research projects and affect funding applications, thereby impacting the credibility of the Investigator. Poor decisions may be damaging to the reputation of and cause financial loss to the Principal Investigator, PPRC, and the University. Supervision Received The Research Assistant will report to the PI and Clinical Research Lab Manager. Supervision Given None, but may provide minimal supervision of volunteers or junior RAs, or may initiate new lab team members regarding the basic routines and procedures of the lab. Minimum Qualifications Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three 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 Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (Health, Science, Public Health, Neuroscience), or a minimum of two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in clinical research data collection and interacting with patient populations in a respectful and confidential manner. Completion of TCPS-2 and GCP, and the BCIT venipuncture course (training provided). Experience with processing of human biological samples (training provided). Cell culture experience preferred (training provided). Completion of the UBC Biosafety and Chemical Safety courses. Experience with Open Specimen biobanking platform, REDCap, and Excel. Experience with maintaining inventories, preferably in biobanking. Working knowledge of research ethics and clinical research. Proven organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize workload, attention to detail in data collection and record-keeping. Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to show initiative and sound judgment. Proactive communications skills. Computer program proficiency (MS Word, Zoom, Teams). Flexibility to adjust to scheduling changes. Ability to work independently and as part of a team, in a respectful manner. 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.
