Research Assistant-1

Job Category

Job Title

Department

Posting End Date

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

Job End Date

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

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join the UBC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. The primary focus of the Research Assistant is to support the Department's Research Team with both clinical research and laboratory research activities. This may include planning, organizing, and conducting research, contributing to the development of protocols and standard operating procedures, as well as preforming hands-on tasks related to research. The Research Assistant should be self-motivated and able to perform research tasks with supervision. Work will be conducted in the Department's offices and laboratories at the Vancouver General Hospital Eye Care Centre, located at 2550 Willow Street.

Organizational Status

The UBC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences includes members at teaching sites distributed across the Province of British Columbia. Altogether, there are 222 faculty members - 17 full-time academic appointments, 187 clinical appointments, 16 emeritus/honorary appointments and 2 associate members. The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is associated with several teaching facilities, including Vancouver General Hospital, St Paul's Hospital (Providence Health Care group), UBC Hospital, BC Children's Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Lions Gate Hospital, BC Cancer Agency-Vancouver Site and private clinics.

The UBC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science is the only academic Ophthalmology Department in the province, providing teaching to undergraduate medical students, Ophthalmology residents, postdoctoral research fellows and Ophthalmology clinical fellows both locally and internationally.

Work Performed

Work Performed will include (but is not exclusive to):

1. Assist with laboratory work, maintaining inventory, storage, maintenance, and disposal of materials and equipment as needed.

2. Perform basic laboratory and animal tests.

3. Conduct literature searches, support statistics and manuscript preparation

4. Support the compilation of grant applications, presentations, CVs.

5. Support management of research records

6. Assists in organizing and documenting research project activities

7. Maintain and update lists, logs, and databases

8. Assist with research related site visits and meetings.

9. Assist with ethics-related and recruitment activities under supervision.

10. Assist with the informed consent process and clinical trial participation.

11. Ensure compliance with GCP/ICH Guidelines.

12. Maintain accurate and detailed records of research activities

13. Ensure tasks are performed in accordance with International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Tri-Council policies and guidelines.

14. Assist with protocol tasks and study-specific items.

15. Assist with setting up meetings and related administrative duties as assigned.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Inaccurate or untimely information could result in a delay in the research project being provided and potentially a delay in research output related to the program.

Supervision Received
Will be supported by the Research Manager and Research Coordinator, reporting to the Senior Administrator and Department Head.

Supervision Given

None but may explain work sequences to others.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.

• Laboratory skills, familiarity with molecular, biochemical, and/or immunological techniques as well as initiating, developing, and performing.

• Rodent handling for experimentation, colony maintenance, and health monitoring.

• Maintaining material and lab equipment; knowledge of proper and safe use of laboratory equipment.

• Knowledge of biosafety procedures.

• Knowledge and experience working with database systems (e.g., REDCap, EDC) and office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, etc.).

• Knowledge of medical and scientific terminologies

• Experience creating and maintaining positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders including staff, students, vendors, administrative staff, collaborators, and funding partners.

• Analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

• Familiarity with specimen collection, handling, storage, and shipment processes in research.

• Support standards for non-routine/complex level experiments and prepare biological samples (human or animal) for research projects.

• Animal handling and restraint.

• Performing routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting on laboratory and clinical research instruments.

• Research regulations, compliance, and guidelines with the Animal Care and Use program.

• Ensuring adherence to test protocols and assisting in performing test procedures as necessary.

• Observing details and maintaining accurate records of experiments and results.

• Exceptional communication and writing skills, organizational skills, ability to multitask.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision, both independently and within a team environment.

• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to gather, record, and organize information; to create and maintain record and filing systems.

• Knowledge and experience with grant application procedures and granting agency requirements, scientific terminology, and research methodology in the health sector would be an asset.

• Ability to work under pressure of deadlines.

• Experience with different types of research including investigator-initiated and industry clinical trials, and qualitative studies would be an asset.

• Meet the requirements of the UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board Guidelines for clinical trial application with a good understanding of the Health Canada Division 5 of the Food and Drug Regulations and the ICH/GCP guidelines.

• Demonstrate organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills.

• Ability to receive and act on constructive feedback.

• Knowledge of ophthalmology treatment and pathology is an asset

• Empathetic personality with concern for patients' needs.

• Knowledge of Indigenous-specific anti-racism and cultural safety is an asset.

• Solid judgment and discretion in maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information.

• Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, data entry, and reporting.

• Interpersonal skills, demonstrating the ability to collaborate with diverse teams, and communicate effectively with investigators, participants, and other stakeholders.

• Willing to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

• Demonstrating a commitment to enhancing one's awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.