Research Assistant/Technician 1-2

Job Title
Research Assistant/Technician 1-2

Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile
Non Union Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 1

Job Family Group
Staff - Non Union

Department
Azar Laboratory | Department of Psychiatry | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range
$26.83 - $29.42 CAD Hourly

Job End Date
April 30, 2027

Posting End Date
October 26, 2026
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

This position will be filled internally. It is posted for informational purposes only.

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
Dr. Azar’s research lab at Vancouver General Hospital’s Complex Pain and Addiction Service (CPAS) and UBC Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, conducts clinical and translational research focusing on the development and evaluation of novel opioid agonist treatment protocols and medical devices to improve the health outcomes for patients with mental health and substance use disorders.
The Research Assistant/Tech 1 will provide routine research support for clinical research studies within Dr. Azar’s research lab. The position will primarily assist with participant recruitment, survey administration, data collection, and maintenance of research records.
Working under the direction of the Study Coordinator and according to established study protocols, the Research Assistant will interact with research participants, assist with study procedures, collect and enter data, and complete other routine research-related tasks as assigned.
The position requires professionalism, sensitivity, confidentiality, attention to detail, and the ability to follow established research and clinical-site procedures.

Organizational Status
The Research Assistant will report to the Principal Investigator and Research Manager and will be directly supervised by the Study Coordinator. The Research Assistant will work according to detailed study procedures, ethics requirements, and applicable UBC and VCH policies.

Work Performed

● Assists with routine recruitment and data collection for an approved clinical research study involving individuals with opioid use disorder.
● Approaches potentially eligible participants as directed by the Study Coordinator and according to established recruitment procedures.
● Provides participants with approved study information and assists with established consent and enrolment procedures under the direction of the Study Coordinator.
● Administers study surveys and questionnaires according to standardized study procedures.
● Provides routine assistance to participants completing study questionnaires, including clarifying survey instructions using approved procedures when required.
● Records study information accurately and maintains research-related records according to established protocols.
● Enters and verifies research data in approved study databases and data collection systems.
● Maintains participant tracking and recruitment records and assists with routine study documentation.
● Assists with the organization and preparation of study materials required for participant recruitment and data collection.
● Maintains participant privacy and confidentiality and follows established procedures for handling research information.
● Communicates recruitment activities and routine study updates to the Study Coordinator and promptly refers questions, concerns, protocol deviations, or unexpected situations to the supervisor.
● May perform basic literature searches and other routine research tasks as directed.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Work is performed according to established research protocols and detailed instructions. Errors in recruitment documentation, survey administration, data entry, or maintenance of research records may affect data quality, participant confidentiality, or the integrity of the research study.

Supervision Received
The Research Assistant works under the direct supervision of the Study Coordinator and in accordance with detailed oral and written instructions, established study protocols, and applicable UBC and VCH policies and procedures.
Routine duties are carried out under general supervision. The Research Assistant is expected to seek guidance from the Study Coordinator when situations arise outside established procedures. Questions, unusual circumstances, participant concerns, and situations requiring interpretation or independent judgement are referred to the Study Coordinator or Principal Investigator.

Supervision Given
None.

Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation and a minimum one year 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
● Previous research experience, including participant recruitment, survey administration, data collection, or data entry, is an asset.
● Experience working directly with patients, research participants, or individuals from diverse or underserved populations is an asset.
● Experience or interest in mental health, substance use, addiction medicine, or clinical research is an asset.
● Experience working in a hospital, healthcare, or clinical research environment is an asset.
● Ability to interact with research participants in a respectful, professional, non-judgmental, and sensitive manner.
● Ability to follow standardized research protocols and detailed oral and written instructions.
● Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive participant and research information.
● Strong verbal and written communication skills.
● Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
● Ability to accurately maintain records and enter research data.
● Ability to work effectively both independently on assigned routine tasks and as part of a research team.
● Ability to identify situations outside established procedures and appropriately seek guidance from the Study Coordinator.
● Reliable, responsible, and able to attend scheduled in-person research shifts at VGH.