Job Description

Staff - Union
Job Category CUPE 116
Job Profile CUPE 116 Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 1
Job Title Research Assistant/Technician 1
Department Research | Department of Psychology | Faculty of Arts
Compensation Range $25.52 - $26.77 CAD Hourly
Posting End Date October 21, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date April 30, 2026
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 Research Assistant will work closely with the principal investigator Dr. Hee Yeon Im on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the function of the human brain while learning visually guided motor skills or viewing complex visual images. This position will provide a unique opportunity to assist in a research program that utilizes cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques to understand human brain functions and behavior.
Organizational Status
Reports to the Principal Investigator.
Work Performed

• Conducting fMRI data preprocessing and analysis, the work is routine in nature or performed according to established protocols
• Creating a lab protocol for fMRI data analysis using FSL
• Makes minor modifications to program script templates and source codes when using magnetoencephalography
• Literature review on topics related to research projects.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Much of the work is performed according to clear procedures and monitored; however, some individual initiative is required. Errors may result in loss of data, participants or reputation, and the slowing down of productivity in the lab, or ethics approval being delayed.
Supervision Received
The employee will receive daily supervision by the PI and postdocs in the lab whenever needed. The employee will also be invited to participate in weekly individual meetings for 30 minutes with the PI to discuss progress, solutions, and plans, as well as weekly lab meetings for networking with lab members and learning about research, literature, and career development opportunities.
Supervision Given
May provide guidance to volunteers or new RAs in the lab who will help with fMRI data preprocessing.
Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation and a minimum one year 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
- Currently enrolled undergraduate or recent graduate.
- Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, and Engineering majors.
- Experience with the Mac/Linux operating system.
- Applicants with Matlab, Python, or R programming experience.
- A background in fMRI data analysis.
- Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.

Skills Required