Job Description

Academic

Job Category Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title Research Associate

Department Mulpuri Laboratory | Department of Orthopaedics | Faculty of Medicine (Kishore Mulpuri)

Posting End Date September 21, 2023

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

Job End Date Sept 30, 2024

This position is located within a health-care facility, therefore, the successful candidate will be required to provide verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by a provincial health mandate.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Research Associate (RA) to join the Hippy Lab at BC Children\xe2\x80\x99s Hospital to facilitate research in the area of pediatric orthopaedic surgery. The RA will be primarily responsible for managing and coordinating research performed by the Hippy Lab. The RA will be involved in the full range of research including development of grant proposals and study protocols through to authoring research publications and reports. Major duties include co-leading/leading the Hippy Lab\xe2\x80\x99s multi-centre, international registries (including the SCFE Longitudinal International Prospective (SLIP) registry, the Global Pediatric Orthopaedic Implant Safety & Efficacy (POISE) registry, and the Global Pediatric Orthopaedic Registry of Trauma and Health Outcomes (PedORTHO)), co-leading the CIHR-funded randomized control trial comparing bracing to observation for the treatment of mild hip dysplasia, coordinating participant recruitment, overseeing data collection, conducting analyses, developing new studies and preparing studies for publication. The RA will also be responsible for supervising, training and mentoring the research staff, co-operative education and medical students working with the Hippy Lab, as well as providing research mentorship and support to the surgical fellows and residents as needed.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

The Research Associate will report directly to Dr. Kishore Mulpuri, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at BC Children\xe2\x80\x99s Hospital, and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics at UBC, and Dr. Emily Schaeffer, research director in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at BC Children\xe2\x80\x99s Hospital, and research associate in the Department of Orthopaedics at UBC.

WORK PERFORMED

The Research Associate will:

• Manage multiple research projects with conflicting timelines, priorities and deadlines
• Support co-investigators, principal investigators and collaborators in research activities
• Facilitate involvement of surgical fellows, residents and medical students in active research activities
• Coordinate and write grants/funding proposals for new research projects
• Participate in budget forecasting and finance management for all projects
• Prepare ethical applications, renewals and amendments
• Prepare and implement project timelines
• Coordinate meetings and facilitate information dissemination to all study members
• Coordinate and oversee recruitment of potential study participants and ensure the process meets UBC ethical requirements
• Coordinate and maintain international, multi-centre prospective studies with site coordinators and surgeons
• Facilitate research activities arising from these multi-centre studies
• Coordinate collection of data
• Develop and maintain quantitative and qualitative databases
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data
• Write and edit research manuscripts for publication in scientific journals
• Write and coordinate abstract submission for conference presentation consideration
• Provide mentorship in research proposal, protocol and manuscript development for the surgical fellows, residents and students working in the lab
• Conduct or supervise computerized literature searches and review as necessary
• Recruit research assistants, graduate students and work-study students
• Manage, train and mentor research assistants and students in patient recruitment, data collection, input and analysis, and manuscript preparation
• Perform other duties as required

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR/JUDGEMENT

The Research Associate is responsible for coordinating the research activities related to a number of multi-centre, international research studies and collaborations. Errors made could influence the ability of research staff to meet critical deadlines, as well as compromise the results of research projects, thereby potentially impacting the credibility of the Principal Investigator and other staff. Poor decisions may be damaging to the reputation of and cause financial loss to the Hippy Lab, BC Children\xe2\x80\x99s Hospital and the University.

SUPERVISION REQUIRED

Drs. Kishore Mulpuri and Emily Schaeffer will provide direction and oversee performance and results of projects. The Research Associate will be expected to develop a work plan and timelines and exercise a considerable amount of judgment and initiative in duties and supervisory responsibilities.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

The Research Associate will manage research assistants, coordinators, students and volunteers as necessary to ensure that the goals of various projects are met in a timely and efficient manner, and that the research program is continually producing high quality, impactful results.

QUALIFICATIONS

Doctorate degree in health, life or social science or related discipline and at least 2 years of post-doctoral level research experience. A candidate with recent related experience and an understanding of orthopaedic issues in a pediatric population, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and statistics is preferred. High level of computer literacy including familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets and databases (such as REDCap). General knowledge of grant processes. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing aimed at a variety of audiences. Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with children, adolescents and families. Ability to prioritize, delegate and work under pressure to meet deadlines. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team. Ability to analyze problems and devise effective, creative solutions. Demonstrated ability to provide supervision and communicate effectively with others. Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.

University of British Columbia