Job Start Date: 1 September, 2023

Job End Date:  28 February, 2024

Compensation:  $30/hour

Hours Per Week:  12

Job Summary

A highly motivated Graduate Academic Assistant is needed for a project that examines the experiences of patients and treatment providers receiving and providing breast cancer care in British Columbia.

This qualitative study aims to describe the challenges that breast cancer and breast reconstruction patients experience while navigating the healthcare system in British Columbia with the intent of using what is learned to engage key stakeholders and advocate for system-level changes. Interviews will be conducted with patients and providers, and will also probe areas they want prioritized in the healthcare system.

The Graduate Academic Assistant will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team and will contribute to the overall success of this project by overseeing various tasks, including supporting ethics applications and post-approval activities/amendments, recruitment and enrollment, data collection, data management, data cleaning and analysis and interpretation. Additionally, the Research Assistant will also support project planning coordination, team communications and Knowledge Mobilization activities.

Organizational Status

This position reports directly to the Principal Investigators, Dr. Fuchsia Howard and Dr. Kathryn Isaac. The Project Assistant will also collaborate with the other co-investigators, collaborators, community members, trainees and consultants.

Work Performed

• Develop written review of literature as needed to support specific aspects of the study.
• Organize and maintain oversight of UBC ethics approval processes.
• Carry out informed consent and safety procedures in conjunction with data collection (including enrolling study participants, scheduling and conducting interviews with study participants as per UBC ethics protocol).
• Design and modify complex research approaches and provide input into developing data collection tools.
• Develop and oversee data protocols (e.g. data generation, qualitative data management, cleaning and analysis).
• Conduct complex analysis and interpretation of data.
• Contribute to data presentation and interpretation.
• Organize and participate in research team meetings.
• Conduct searches for, identify, and assist in preparing grant applications to fund scale up, sustainability of project activities
• Participate in research team meetings and contribute to the interpretation and analysis of literature, qualitative and quantitative data as required
• Write reports and contribute to the development of academic papers, press releases, presentations, and ethics and grant applications.
• Work in cooperation with other members of the project team and communicate verbally and/or in writing regarding work progress.
• Support activities and duties performed by the Principal Investigator and other research assistants.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Supervision Received

The Graduate Academic Assistant will work under minimum supervision, receiving specific instructions on unusual or complex problems, and exercising a considerable amount of autonomy, discretion, and initiative in determining work procedures and methods. This position will report to and be supervised by the Principal Investigator of the project.

Supervision Given

This position has no formal supervisory responsibility. The Graduate Academic Assistant will, however, provide leadership and guidance, particularly related to project activities and protocols, to other staff, consultants and trainees working on the project.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of related experience or the 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

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated initiative and the willingness to work closely with members of a project team to ensure problems are resolved quickly and appropriately
• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds, including members of the community, marginalized populations, health care providers, and policy makers.
• Ability to be self-directed, and to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically, analytically and respond in a broad range of activities with a high level of independence
• Substantive knowledge base in areas relevant to the project (e.g., substance use, harm reduction, health equity).

Please submit applications (cover letter and resume) to:  fuchsia.howard@ubc.ca