Job Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title Research Coordinator (Mitra Lab)

Department Mitra Laboratories | Department of Paediatrics | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range $3,982.67 - $4,703.83 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date August 29, 2023

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

Job End Date Aug 31, 2024

This position is 0.5 FTE (18.75 hours/week) for one year, with an option to renew. Posted salary range is 1.0FTE.

This offer is conditional upon successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.

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.

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 3 (RA) will provide research management support for Dr Souvik Mitra\xe2\x80\x99s lab in the Division of Neonatology. The lab will primarily focus on improving patient and family-important clinical outcomes of the smallest and sickest babies admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit through clinical research (randomized clinical trials, multicenter collaborative registry-based projects) as well as research on evidence synthesis and clinical decision-making incorporating family values and preferences. The ability to perform a wide variety of complex tasks with a high degree of competence, and independence as well as exceptional organizational skills, motivation, enthusiasm, and initiative are required for this position.

The primary responsibilities of the RA are to coordinate, and monitor participants\xe2\x80\x99 recruitment, obtain consent across several, complex studies, and be responsible for data extraction and record keeping, per ethics board requirements and hospital regulations. Moreover, the RA will prepare reports to communicate study progress to the rest of the team.

The RA will have an opportunity to work in a collaborative research environment within the Division of Neonatology, regularly interact with researchers from across Canada as well as internationally and contribute as an author on multiple research papers including Cochrane systematic reviews.

The RA is expected to attend professional development opportunities as they appear at BCCHRI, BCWRI and UBC, as appropriate. The RA meets with the PI and the studies teams on a regular basis.

Priority consideration is given to candidates with experience in clinical research based in a critical care setting as well as experience in running statistical analyses.

Organizational Status
Reports to Dr Souvik Mitra, Neonatologist and Associate Professor. Also may work in close collaboration with other neonatologists, research team members and other clerical and clinical personnel.

Work Performed

• Overseeing, coordinating and conducting research projects, including communication with partner research sites within and outside Canada
• Assessing subject eligibility for the studies, and obtaining informed consent, coordinating recruitment, and collecting data
• Interacting with families of research participants over videoconferencing and in person. This will include scheduling of appointments, providing routine information about the studies, helping participants to feel informed about the studies and comfortable in the testing environment.
• Maintaining and organizing the studies participant log and other important project related files
• Coordinating proper specimen collection, storage and shipment of study specimens as required
• Collecting data, administering questionnaires and completing case report forms and source documents in accordance with GCP guidelines
• Ensuring that research follow-up assessments are conducted by: tracking study visits in a timely manner; preparing study documents for follow-up mail-outs; telephoning participants; and checking scheduled clinical appointments
• Retrieving data from clinical databases and maintaining study databases, per regulations from the Hospitals and Universities
• Providing data analyses and writing progress reports as requested
• Maintaining other study related files
• Writes ethics applications and assists with coordination of contracts with the Universities, as needed
• Communicates with, and reports regularly to, the Research Program Manager and/or periodically with investigators about the status of research projects.
• Grant financial management (maintaining project financial records, preparing invoices etc.)
• Assisting in the writing of grants, reports and academic papers
• Conducting literature search and screening; developing and maintaining a repository of key references
• Other duties as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Research Assistant is required to conduct the research and operational activities in an ethical manner, working independently with minimal instruction and supervision. Study data must be reliably and accurately recorded. Strict confidentiality of all study participants must be adhered too. All activities involving participants are accountable to the Principal Investigators, the Department Head, and the Research Assistant\'s governing professional organization.

Supervision Received
Works independently under very general supervision provided by the PI.

Supervision Given
N/A

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three 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

• Completion of a university degree in health science preferred.
• Prior experience in in clinical research based in a critical care setting as well as experience in running statistical analyses will be considered an asset.

Additionally,

• Ability to plan, implement and problem solve independently
• Ability to work as part of a team, communicating effectively both verbally and in writing with study colleagues, partners and stakeholders
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Solid computer literacy required in a Microsoft environment (i.e. MSWord, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
• Experience with Redcap considered an asset
• High proficiency in using statistical software (i.e. R)
• Highly self-motivated, excellent time management skills, detail-oriented, ability to take on assigned responsibilities and meet deadlines.

University of British Columbia