Job Description

Academic

Job Category Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title Research Associate, Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART)

Department Norman Laboratory CART | Department of Family Practice | Faculty of Medicine (Wendy Norman)

Posting End Date November 10, 2022

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

These positions are located within a health-care facility. Therefore, this position requires successful verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by the provincial health mandate.

The Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART) in Department of Family Practice at The University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for a part-time Research Associate at 0.5 FTE (20 hours/week), on a 1-year contract with a possibility of extension subject to funding. The Research Associate operates in a quantitative Biostatistical Researcher role within CART.

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV outlining your research interests, career goals, and fit for the position on . Review of applications will on an ongoing basis until position is filled. Salary will be discussed with successful candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Job Summary

Led by Principal Investigator and Professor Dr. Wendy Norman, the Contraception and Abortion Research Team ( ) is a national, interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral research team conducting research to support health services and policies and clinical practice to ensure equitable access to high-quality family planning knowledge, methods and services for women and families throughout Canada. The team is based within the Women's Health Research Institute located in BC Women's and Children's Health Centre. This team works closely with knowledge users in health policy and health system leadership positions to identify priority research areas and to ensure rapid uptake and implementation of findings to policy, systems, and practice.

The successful candidate will join a diverse, multidisciplinary team including trainees (graduate students, health professional students, postdoctoral fellows), research staff (research assistants, research manager), and investigators (from health services and policy, epidemiology, obstetrics/gynecology, family medicine, nursing, midwifery, health system and policy leadership). The successful candidate will be a core team member, with strong quantitative skills in biostatistics, epidemiology, and health services and policy research, with demonstrated experience and expertise working with health administrative data (e.g. from Canadian data repositories including Population Data BC, ICES, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy).

With supervision and mentorship from Dr. Norman, Co-Principal Investigators, and Co-Investigator teams, the Research Associate will focus on data acquisition, data management, data analysis, interpretation, and manuscript preparation for multiple studies using linked administrative health data. Principal projects include: 1) rapid-response evaluation of evidence when requested by governments; 2) evaluation of BC's contraception subsidy programme(s), 3) assisting with analyses and manuscript preparation for RCT and survey studies data already collected 4) contributing to development of new project ideas and grant applications.

The Research Associate will primarily be involved in data analysis, data management, and collaborate with other team members to help them move their projects forward using the population-based administrative data. Other expectations include assisting with UBC research ethics applications, liaising with the data stewards and PopData BC, participating in drafting papers, participating in grant writing and collaborating with many local, national and international colleagues. The individual will be responsible for many data-related aspects of research projects, including working with the raw data to build analyzable datasets (cleaning, compiling and variable assembly), statistical analysis, production of tables and figures for manuscripts, and we are open to the candidate participating in the drafting of papers according to their interest and desire. In addition, they will help organize the training of students and new team members in alignment with UBC policies.

Conducts data cleaning and builds analyzable datasets, under the direction of the Principal Investigator

Conducts statistical analyses process and procedures

Develops proposals for follow-up analyses from follow-up analyses as a result of performing and interpreting results of the initial analyses

Trains team members and colleagues in analyses and data management procedures, including the method to conduct analysis for collaborative research.

Analyze data and interpret observations and findings, and prepares tables and figures for manuscripts

Provides operational supervision, guidance, and mentorship for Graduate Students, Postdoctoral Fellows, and other collaborations by advising on data management and analysis, statistical analysis, and research design.

Provides oversight on the preparation, renewal, and/or submission of applications for research ethics, as required.

Develops, modifies, and maintains code

Prepares and supports the development of publications and presentations

Attends scientific meetings and delivers presentation on projects as needed

Prepare and deliver presentations for health professionals, academic conferences, and project related events.

Evaluates and monitors new trends and developments in data management and analysis, to ensure research activities are in alignment with continuous improvement

Escalate timely issues that may arise to the Principal Investigator

Other duties and responsibilities, as required by the Principal Investigator

Consequence of Error

The incumbent will be accountable for the effective execution of assigned research related activities within CART. They are required to conduct all research activities in an ethical manner, suited to proper activities of UBC, the granting agencies, and to the professional organizations governing him/herself and those governing the activities of all other investigators. Any procedures or data recorded as part of a study must be reliable and accurate, reflecting the work performed. Strict confidentiality of all study participants must be adhered to, and all privacy requirements in place through PopData BC must be strictly adhered to. Failure to do so can lead to delays in scientific results of projects and questionable integrity for the project. All activities are accountable to the Principal Investigator and the Head of Department.

Supervision Received

Working independently, under the general guidance of and in collaboration with Professor Dr. Wendy Norman, the incumbent will exercise a wide latitude of independent initiatives and professional judgement in carrying out responsibilities. The incumbent will work collaboratively and communicate with the Principal Investigator, other supervisors and managers, and team members, as appropriate.

Supervision Given

The candidate may be responsible for giving direction to trainees and other research staff, including demonstrating techniques to students as required.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will hold a PhD postgraduate degree. Specializations in statistics or related field are preferred.

Minimum of 4 years of related experience in addition to academic qualifications, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in working with population-based administrative datasets in BC, or similar large scale datasets, or equivalence of combination of education and experience

Knowledge of quantitative methods for data analysis including intermediate experience in either STATA, SAS, R, or equivalent software programs used for research

Evidence of superior understanding of statistics and quantitative health research

Knowledge and experience in PopData BC's Secure Research Environment is an asset

Experience in research coordination, research administration, and partnerships with external and internal stakeholders

Proven ability to work effectively to manage and prioritize high-demanding tasks , while demonstrating exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment

Effective communication skills, both in writing and verbally

Ability to work with inter-institutional and/or interdisciplinary teams