Dairy Research Assistant

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile
Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title
Dairy Research Assistant

Department
Animal Welfare and Research | Dairy and Education Research Centre | Faculty of Land and Food Systems

Compensation Range
$4,207.63 - $5,005.45 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date
February 8, 2024

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

Job End Date

Feb 4, 2025

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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 UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre (DERC) is located in Agassiz, 130 km east of the UBC Point Grey Campus.  The dairy centre is required to operate on a financially self-sustaining basis.  The Centre plays a unique role as a centre for research, teaching, and technology transfer relating to dairy and forage production, agronomic crops and practices, and soils.  Concurrently, it also operates as a fully functioning dairy (milk) production enterprise. Given its research mandate there is active participation at the Centre by faculty members and students from UBC and other universities, government specialists, industry groups, and individuals. The role of this position will be to assist the Animal Health, Welfare and Research (AHWR) Manager with the organization and execution of research trials with dairy cattle and when needed, help with general farm duties if time permits.
Organizational Status
This position reports to the Animal Health, Welfare and Research (AHWR) Manager.  Works with graduate students, principle investigators and farm staff.
Work Performed

• Supports the AHWR Manager in collecting routine animal health data [e.g., body condition score (BCS), subclinical ketosis and other cow data, lameness, etc.] that allows for retrospective use of data collected at the Dairy Centre (e.g. feed intakes, Automated milking system (AMS) data).
• Assists in training students in how to perform various cow and calf health measurements (e.g., blood sample collection) and how to handle and move animals in a safe manner (e.g., student and researcher onboarding)
• Assists in training students to use the software and equipment associated with technologies used on the Dairy Centre, including the computerized feed intake systems, the AMS, automatic calf feeders, scales and “Genie” platform lift. 
• Assists with the maintenance of technologies and equipment frequently used for research data collection and writes and organizes SOP’s for equipment use including data extraction and supports data organization. Calibrating automatic calf feeders, scales and Insentec equipment on a regular basis, performing validation trials of equipment to determine the accuracy for research.  Monitoring when supplies need to be purchased.
• Maintains inventory of technologies used for data collection purposes at DERC, including records of ownership, purchase date, receipts.
• In conjunction with the AHWR Manager, coordinates with students and principle investigators to ensure that all equipment and used facility spaces are clean and in good working condition after use in projects.
• Assist in coordinating with and training students (and researchers) who are conducting research projects at the farm so that they have sufficient help during their project such as organizing lab-owned research equipment and materials (e.g. storage space, disposal of sharps containers, set up and removal of cameras / video recording equipment, etc.)
• Performs other duties as required.  During times when research demands wane, this position will help out with the general duties of the farm in consultation with the Animal Health, Welfare and Research Manager and Business Operations Manager.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Errors will result in inefficiencies of the research performed at the DERC and flawed research data.  Poor judgement can negatively impact the research projects, student experience and revenue generation from decreased milk production.  Inefficiencies will reflect poorly on the reputation of the Centre, Faculty and the University.
Supervision Received
Reports to the Animal Health, Welfare and Research Manager.
Supervision Given
None.
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

• Master of Science preferred.
• Research experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of handling large animals.
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Must be able to prioritize, multitask and meet deadlines
• Must have strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Advanced computer experience is required (e.g. MS Office, lab/research equipment software, databases)
• Valid BC Driver’s License