Research Assistant/ Technician 2

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile
Non Union Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title
Research Assistant/ Technician 2

Department
Schuetz Laboratory | Department of Psychiatry | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range
$25.89 - $30.80 CAD Hourly

Posting End Date
May 8, 2024

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.

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 Red Fish Digital Innovation Project aims to design and implement exciting leading-edge virtual and digital care innovations to enhance the quality of care for clients experiencing serious and complex mental health and substance use challenges in all BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) clinical programs. Under the Direction of the BCMHSUS Project Director, the Principal Investigator, and the Project Coordinator, the Research Assistant (RA2) will be responsible for performing research work primarily related to the pilot. They will perform various logistical and research activities related to qualitative data collection and analysis as indicated by supervisors. 

This pilot has three components:

• Objective Stress Detection Pilot (DIP – OSD). This component will track electrodermal activity to measure objective stress responses using a wearable galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor.

• Sleep and Circadian Rest-Activity Rhythms Pilot (DIP – SCRAR). This component will examine continuous sleep patterns and circadian rhythms using wrist-accelerometers.

• Drug Craving Biofeedback Pilot (DIP – DCB). This component will identify neural correlates of cue-induced craving using EEG, a computerized probabilistic picture card task, and subjective reporting of craving by individuals seeking treatment for complex concurrent disorders.
   

We are interested in recruiting an RA2 to focus on the qualitative part of the project. Position will be hourly part-time for a total of 100 hours.

This position requires some work at the Red Fish Healing Centre in Coquitlam and the successful candidate will be expected to travel to the centre as required.

Organizational Status

Works within well-defined guidelines and procedures, but exercises judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion; new or unusual problems are referred to supervisor.

The Red Fish Healing Centre is a new state-of-the-art provincial 105-bed inpatient facility providing quaternary care for clients in BC with severe mental health and substance use disorders.

The B.R.A.I.N. Lab focuses on the psycho-neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive, affective, and stress-associated aspects of decision-making and impulsivity: specifically, those related to substance use and concurrent mental disorders. Visit our website for further information: https://brainlab.med.ubc.ca/

Work Performed

• Supporting collaboration and coordination across pilot components, including scheduling calls, teleconferences, and other activities as needed.

• Participating in lab meetings and discussing any updates with the group.

• Assisting with the management and maintenance of research files and documentation

• Ability to effectively communicate with staff in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

• Assisting with data collection by conducting face-to-face interviews and administering surveys, in accordance with predetermined interview protocols, data collection procedures and documentation standards.

• Assisting in data preparation, collection, entry, and analysis.

• Reviewing and editing data to ensure completeness and accuracy of information; following up with subjects to resolve problems or clarify data collected.

• Other activities related to the research project.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Under general supervision performs a variety of experimental tasks. Failure to do so impacts experiments, scientific results, and increased costs.
Supervision Received
The Project Coordinator will provide close supervision and training during the initial period of employment while techniques are learned and whenever new methods are explored. Once training is complete the individual should be able to work with basic supervision, although help will always be available for problem solving.
Supervision Given
Expected to convey procedures and lessons learned to two volunteer Research Assistants.
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 health or social sciences would be an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English including report writing and publication/presentation of research activities and results to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience conducting literature reviews and ability to understand and synthesize results from quantitative and qualitative data sources.
• Excellent interpersonal, time management, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
• Experience conducting semi-structure interviews with participants.
• Experience with NVivo, or similar.