Job Description

Staff - Union
Job Category
CUPE 116
Job Profile
CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2
Job Title
Research Assistant/Technician 2
Department
Research | Hamlin | Department of Psychology
Compensation Range
$4,426.00 - $4,845.00 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date
September 16, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
June 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

Under general supervision, assists with the day-to-day running of the Centre for Infant Cognition, a research laboratory in the Department of Psychology. Assists in running experiments by recruiting and scheduling participants, distributing work to volunteers, tracking expenditures, entering data and assisting with analysis, and collecting and summarizing material for report preparation. These duties may be performed on UBC s campus in the Kenny Building as well as in area schools, day cares and museums.



Organizational Status

Reports to the Lab Director. Works closely with graduate and undergraduate students who participate actively as research assistants and volunteers. There is considerable community outreach to recruit participants in the research projects.



Work Performed

Assists in running experiments following set protocols and guidelines. This includes greeting participants, explaining procedures, setting up and monitoring equipment, asking questions and recording responses. Some of this testing may also be conducted by volunteers under the RA s supervision.



Schedules the laboratory visits of research participants which may involve contacting local childcare centers and schools. Some scheduling may be delegated to volunteers in the laboratory. May also recruit and test child participants in local area schools, day cares and museums. In such circumstances, testing would take place at the local community venue (e.g., on-site at the school, day care and museum) rather than on campus in the Kenny Building.



Places ads (written by the project supervisor) in local media and posts recruitment signs. May assist supervisor or graduate students while on trips into the local community (to schools, day care centres, libraries, community centres, and museums) to give talks to parents and their children about research being conducted in the laboratory.



Checks monthly ledger sheets and informs the Lab Director of transaction discrepancies and balances. Lab Director resolves problems.



Distributes work to and coordinates the work of undergraduate students and volunteers.



Assists with entering, manipulating and presenting data using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) following clear instructions from the Lab Director. Independent ability to analyze data also required including knowledge of SPSS or similar statistical analysis software package.



Assists with submission and upkeep of ethics approvals.



May assist with summarizing the key findings of research reports from other laboratories or documenting the findings from research being conducted in the Centre for Infant Cognition.



Performs other related duties.



Consequence of Error/Judgement

Much of the work follows established protocols and performance is monitored. There is room for innovative thinking to improve on these procedures and a need to resolve problems using basic good judgment and common sense. Incorrect decisions could affect the public s impression of the lab and their willingness to participate in research projects, and may result in the loss of data or a slowing of productivity.



Supervision Received

Under general supervision, receiving instruction when new duties are assigned and when unusual problems arise. Tasks will be assigned by the appropriate lab director. Some guidance will also be offered from other researchers working in the laboratory.



Supervision Given
Provides guidance to undergraduate students and volunteers in the Centre for Infant Cognition. This supervision will involve assigning and overseeing tasks for volunteers, as well as scheduling their hours in the laboratory.

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
University degree in Psychology or Science. Experience involving experimental research in developmental psychology, preferably in a research laboratory setting with a focus on infants and young children, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Solid understanding of research design and statistical analyses. Knowledge of ethical guidelines involving human subjects and child participants an asset. Computer experience required. A driver s license and access to a car would be valuable. Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail. Ability to perform research-related procedures and to analyze and interpret data. Ability to interact well with a diversity of people (both children and adults) in a calm, courteous, and effective manner both in the laboratory and in the local community. Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.