Job Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title Research Assistant

Department Toddler Development Instrument Research HELP | School of Population and Public Health | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range $4,207.63 - $5,005.45 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date January 13, 2024

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

Job End Date May 31, 2024

The position is part-time at 12 hours per week and compensation will be prorated to 32%.

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 Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) is a research centre at the School of Population and Public Health at UBC, with a focus on research on the social determinants of health, and understanding the actionable social context factors that promote the development, health, and wellbeing of children and youth. HELP collaborates with government, school district, and community partners to explore how HELP research can answer societally relevant questions, and in what ways research evidence may inform practices and policies that enhance child and youth wellbeing. The current project focuses on analyzing HELP population-level data sets, especially the parent-completed Toddler Development Instrument and Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. The ultimate goal of this project is to create and mobilize research evidence that contributes to greater health equity in our society.

Organizational Status
This position reports to Dr. Martin Guhn and will work with other team members at HELP.

Work Performed

Major responsibilities may include:

Project support in line with the deliverables delineated above, including:

• Contribute to literature reviews, data analysis, manuscript writing, report writing, and grant writing.
• The literature review will focus on the association between social determinants of health and actionable community factors and child health and wellbeing. Data analysis will use datasets including parent and teacher reports on child development and context factors.
• Develop course materials related to social determinant of health, Indigenous ways of knowing, health equity, Truth and Reconciliation, and sustainability, based on recent research literature and evidence on effective classroom teaching.
• Communicate with community and/or government partners that seek to inform and apply HELP\xe2\x80\x99s research on social determinants of health and enhancing child and youth wellbeing.
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The quality, ethics, integrity, and accuracy of HELP\xe2\x80\x99s work are critical to HELP\xe2\x80\x99s integrity. Inappropriate or inaccurate statements may affect the image and reputation of HELP, SPPH, and UBC as a whole. The incumbent makes professional decisions and recommendations on all aspects of research work and is responsible for the quality of research activities.

Supervision Received
Works under general supervision in carrying out familiar phases of duties and responsibilities under the direction of Dr. Martin Guhn.

Supervision Given
None.

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\xe2\x80\x99s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one\xe2\x80\x99s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree, with coursework or experiences related to the social determinants of health, scientific method, analytical skills and thinking, and/or child development, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven ability to work successfully with a wide range of groups and individuals, including community groups, researchers, university administration, and the public sector. Professional experience in a health- or wellness-related area preferred. Previous experience with writing/presentation skills preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of and interest in health equity and social determinants of health
• Ability to coordinate work processes;
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships;
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively;
• Self-motivation and ability to work well with minimal supervision;
• Must be highly organized with the ability to prioritize assignments; including ability to work effectively and meet deadlines;
• Strong attention to detail necessary;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills;
• Experience/skills in scientific writing (i.e., literature summaries, careful referencing);
• Experience with standard computer software applications (e.g., word, PowerPoint, excel);
• Knowledge of research design, scientific method, statistics and hypothesis testing, including regression analysis.

University of British Columbia