Job Description

Staff - Union

Job Category CUPE 116

Job Profile CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4

Job Title Research Analyst

Department Kunz Student Support | School of Public Policy and Global Affairs

Compensation Range $5,281.00 - $5,738.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date January 6, 2024

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

Job End Date Jul 9, 2024

This is a part-time, term position at 71% FTE (26.6 hours per week) and salary indicated above will be prorated accordingly.

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

This term position will support the application of new natural language processing tools (NLP) as part of an NSERC Alliance project. The candidate will assist the research team in identifying potential test cases for applying and validating automated NLP tools to suitable datasets. They will also focus on developing a central repository for organizing data associated with the project.

The Research Analyst will report to jointly Assistant Professor Nadja Kunz and Professor Raymond Ng, and will be expected to contribute actively with other members of the research team. The primary work area is virtual via video meetings, emails, etc. however the candidate will be given an opportunity to occasionally work from a shared workspace at the UBC Vancouver campus, if desired.

Organizational Status
The position reports to Assistant Professor Nadja Kunz and Professor Raymond Ng.

Work Performed

The candidate will work on an NSERC Alliance project on Automated Extraction of Fields of Interest from Unstructured Documents. Specific responsibilities include:

Provide guidance on potential test cases for applying and validating automated NLP tools, with a particular focus on data already collected during a previous research project related to the Faro mine in the Yukon Territory. Develop a central repository for sharing data within the research team to facilitate project work. Create a database of documents (with guidance from the team) to be analyzed as part of the project, and a system to facilitate ongoing updates to that database. Test selected natural language processing tools (e.g. ChatGPT) on samples of documents to evaluate how effective they are at the desired task. Provide input to the development of new natural language processing methods. Participate in meetings with external partners involved in the research project. Contribute to, and potentially lead, the writing of some academic journal articles as part of the project. Participate in team meetings and contribute expertise to other team members as requested. Occasional administrative duties to support the research team (e.g. note taking for minutes, organizing meetings, editorial tasks).

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Research Analyst will be expected to make independent decisions related to the application of NLP tools based on guidance, input, and advice from Assistant Professor Nadja Kunz (co-PI, primary supervisor) and Professor Raymond Ng (PI, secondary supervisor). Inappropriate judgment could hinder the teams capacity to achieve its deliverables and to achieve timely and accurate research outputs. Error in judgment might also result in difficult working relationships with members of the broader research team.

Supervision Received
The position works under general direction of Assistant Professor Nadja Kunz and Professor Raymond Ng. They will also work closely with Professor Laks V.S. Lakshmanan, who is another co-PI on the NSERC Project. Work will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in terms of achievement of objectives.

Supervision Given
The candidate will be expected to work largely independently. This position is guided by the collective work/ambitions of the research team. The general scope of responsibilities are as stated above, but they may also be in part as emergent elements of ongoing discussion and development through regular meetings with members of the broader research team.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

The primary work area is virtual via video meetings, emails, etc. There may be face to face meetings, but the core work will be done remotely. The candidate will be given an opportunity to occasionally work from a shared workspace at the UBC Vancouver campus, if desired. Connection with the research team will occur via regular meetings, typically once per week.

Working Conditions

The primary work area is virtual via video meetings, emails, etc. There may be face to face meetings, but the core work will be done remotely. The candidate will be given an opportunity to occasionally work from a shared workspace at the UBC Vancouver campus, if desired. Connection with the research team will occur via regular meetings, typically once per week.

University of British Columbia