Graduate Academic Assistant

Project Summary

After giving birth, postpartum individuals may experience many changes to their health, including sexual health. Despite being an essential component of postpartum wellbeing, sexual health is often discussed or defined in physically-focused ways, thus impeding health care support and services. As such, there is a need to move beyond the narrow approaches that currently dominate postpartum sexual health research, information, education, and clinical care to include emotional, social, and relational aspects of sexual health. To date, no studies have explored the experiences of postpartum individuals with regards to their sexual health in the later postpartum period. Therefore, this study addressed the significant knowledge gap by exploring how people experience their sexual health between 6 and 12 months postpartum. Feminist poststructuralism and discourse analysis were used to guide this research and analyze the interviews. Findings will have important implications for health care across the perinatal spectrum. 

We are seeking a highly motivated Graduate Academic Assistant (GAA) who will work closely with the research team and contribute to the overall success of this research project by assisting with a range of research activities of moderate complexity. The GAA will work remotely/virtually.  

Duties will include:

• Drafting 2-3 journal manuscripts - invited as co-author on manuscripts/projects they contribute to.

• Participate in research team meetings and taking of minutes, as required.

• Communicate verbally and/or in writing regarding work progress or requests for review/edits from the research team. 

• Perform other related duties, as required.

This position will report to and be directly co-supervised by Dr. Rachel Ollivier (Nurse Practitioner & Clinician Scientist, BC Women’s Hospital; Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC Faculty of Medicine; Adjunct Professor, UBC School of Nursing) and Dr. Fuchsia Howard (Associate Professor, UBC School of Nursing). The GAA’s work will be done independently, with collaboration, feedback, and direction provided by the research team. 

The level of complexity will vary from task to task, though most tasks will involve significant attention to detail, ability to synthesize information, strong academic writing skills, and efficient communication. This level of complexity is suitable for a graduate student. As a GAA, there will be multiple opportunities to learn, grow and develop new skills while also making substantial contributions to research aimed at improving sexual health care for postpartum individuals in British Columbia. 

Qualifications 

The GAA can be a graduate student in any year. The GAA must have knowledge of Microsoft Word. Ability to be self-directed, and to work both independently and within a team environment is required. Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds is required, including members of diverse communities, people impacted by poverty, substance use, mental health issues, marginalized populations, health care providers, researchers, knowledge users, and patient partners.

Additional qualifications for this position include:

• Strong academic writing skills (previous scholarly, peer-reviewed journal publications is considered an important asset)

• Self-directed worker

• Organized approach to task completion 

• Ability to write effectively and synthesize ideas or research findings 

• Ability to work on a team in a professional, fast-paced environment

Preferred Degrees/Disciplines 

• Applied Science (i.e. Nursing), Health Sciences, Arts/Social Sciences (i.e. Gender Studies) 

Supervision and Training

The GAA will be given essential orientation and training, both in the first week and throughout the duration of their work period. The successful candidate will not be expected to conduct any level of data analysis as this will have already been completed by the team. The Principal Investigator and other team members are always available to provide support and answer questions. Constructive feedback, as well as edits or comments, will be given throughout the manuscript drafting process. The research team will encourage open communication and make time to answer any questions or needs for clarification along the way. The Principal Investigator will hold monthly meetings with the GAA to ensure optimal challenges, goal achievement, and professional growth. The GAA will have opportunities to engage with a multidisciplinary group of researchers from Nova Scotia and British Columbia, where a professional network can be built and expanded.

Connections and Professional Development

The Principal Investigator will directly mentor the GAA and will support them in their career aspirations. Additionally, depending on the GAA’s career goals, the research team will provide additional suggestions or connections to support the GAA in their goals. The GAA will work with a multidisciplinary research team which will expand their network of colleagues/mentors. The student will have access to the Women’s Health Research Institute learning opportunities and be able to network with staff, students, and faculty from the WHRI.

Career Exploration

The GAA will obtain many workplace skills with a particular focus on drafting, reviewing, and submitting scholarly publications to high-impact academic journals. Through this role, the GAA will develop competencies in:

• Critical thinking

• Communication skills (both verbal and written)

• Organizational skills

• Team-work

• Time management

In addition to the skills listed above that the graduate student is expected to learn/strengthen, this position will allow for collaboration among the UBC community and beyond supporting the GAA to build a network. The GAA will be encouraged to suggest new ideas to the research team. The GAA will learn about the field of women’s sexual health, as well as critical social research methodologies (specifically discourse analysis and feminist post-structuralism), that will advance their academic growth. 

Number of openings: 1

Hours per week: 5 - 10

Total number of hours: 105

Salary/Wage: CAD$25.00/hour

Anticipated Start Date: May 5, 2025

Estimated Work Period: May 2025-September 2025

Applications are to be submitted via UBC Careers Online. Job Posting ID - 987153