Research Program Coordinator

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
M&P - AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level A

Job Title
Research Program Coordinator

Department
Yang | Department of Civil Engineering | Faculty of Applied Science

Compensation Range
$5,209.17 - $7,485.33 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date
April 19, 2024

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

Job End Date

Jun 30, 2025

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. 

This is a Part-time 1-year term position (17 hours/week). The salary will be pro-rated.

Job Summary

This position is in the Department of Civil Engineering of the Faculty of Applied Science (APSC) Dean's office. The Research Program Coordinator is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the Smart Infrastructure and Construction Research Cluster (SICRC). The position oversees all aspects of the cluster including planning, coordination, research projects within the cluster, team development, communications between research teams, identifying and attracting potential partners, and identifying and planning for leveraging funding mechanisms. The support provided for SICRC by this position can also include identifying appropriate funding opportunities and relevant external partners, organizing events and workshops, facilitating communications and media relations initiatives, developing, monitoring, and controlling budgets, early-stage proposal development, and proposal editing and review. This role will involve working with APSC and UBC researchers and unit leads, research partnership, grants and business development staff, as well as other internal/external stakeholders.

A key component of this role will be to develop and maintain close contact with industry, government and community partners related to SICRC and to stay abreast of current funding opportunities and working with teams of researchers and stakeholders to submit competitive funding proposals. The position is also expected to coordinate the overall activities of SICRC and maintain communications with all relevant stakeholders, while planning for future projects and targeting stakeholders to engage.

The role will be expected to work closely with APSC Partnership and Research Development staff to provide grants and partnership expertise to researchers and the SICRC partners in order to fully exploit and leverage partnered funding opportunities.

Expected outcomes include increased research funding for SICRC, increased participation of APSC faculty, diversification of SICRC portfolio, and increased impact of the research and commercialization activities.

This position will be located at the UBC Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada.

Organizational Status
The Research Program Coordinator will report to PI Prof. Yang and to the Senior Research Partnership Manager at the Faculty of Applied Science, Dr. Roshan.
Work Performed

• Coordinates day-to-day operations of SICRC activities including budget-related activities such as preparing budget reports, reviewing expenses, and helping the researchers to prepare budget plans for funding applications
• Supports research staff and students setting work plans and timelines, and reviewing documents related to the workplans and students work reports
• Works closely with SICRC leads in all aspects of SICRC processes
• Plans and provides information and support on research funding opportunities to SICRC researchers, administrative staff, and other stakeholders, particularly pertaining to industry and partnered opportunities.
• Investigating potential sources of funding to establish/propel large-scale national and international strategic partnerships.
• Independently and proactively investigating potential external industrial partners and develop and maintain communications with them to support SICRC in the development of new industry-sponsored research projects
• Working with APSC Partnership and Research Development staff, identifies research synergies and potential funding mechanisms for external partnerships, and recommends these to SICRC researchers and their partners. This will include staying abreast of current funding opportunities, informing faculty of such opportunities and the support available for them, as well as maintaining close, collaborative relationships with funders and funding agencies. This also includes organizing and attending researcher-partner meetings to provide funding expertise.
• Plan, schedules and attends meetings, prepares and distributes agendas, minutes and relevant documents
• Organize events such as workshops and seminars for SICRC researchers and external stakeholders
• Monitors SICRC activities, grants and research projects
• Report regularly to the executive and technical leads of SICRC
• Conducts other duties as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Self-supporting units are unique within the university system. Errors in reporting, communication with research partners would negatively impact the viability of the SICRC. Likewise, errors in timely reporting of project progress or failure to meet the stringent demands of the granting agencies and industrial partners could compromise the researcher’s relationships with the partners. Poor management or improper decisions could damage the reputations of the Civil Engineering Department and APSC R&P portfolio and the University.
Supervision Received
This position reports to the Prof. Yang (PI) from Civil Engineering Department. The incumbent will be expected to communicate with researchers, the financial departments of the university and companies, the University Industrial Liaison Office and the industrial partners under the direct guidance of the PI.
Supervision Given
The position is not expected to supervise other staff although they will be required to liaise closely with UBC and SICRC staff and researchers. Works independently, exercising judgment within areas of responsibility. Determines deadlines, schedules and priorities for several distinct areas of responsibility, balancing operational requirements, strategic considerations, and equity between portfolios.
Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of 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

In-depth expertise in digital technologies, strong presentation and writing skills

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills are required for bridging technical, linguistic and cultural differences to ensure the most effective engagement with all stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with senior level academics, researchers, UBC administration, government agencies, external stakeholders and partners.
• Ability to work effectively with teams as well as independently.
• Exceptional organizational (project management) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively coordinate and oversee multiple work processes (e.g., multiple training and research projects).
• Strong judgement, work ethic, and ability to maintain confidentiality, tact and discretion

Preferred Qualifications

• A combination of working knowledge and experience in conducting research, directing research teams, and supporting collaborative, multi-institutional research groups an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with groups and individuals such as senior level academics, researchers, UBC administration, funding agencies, external stakeholders and partners
• Experience in a Canadian or International University setting, particularly in a research administration role, is a significant asset.
• Experience in an industrial environment is a significant asset
• Knowledge of business/partnership development best practices is an asset