Research Coordinator

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 Research Coordinator will play a critical role in the TANDEM Study, a research project focusing on individuals living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, particularly those who are housing-insecure and managing multiple chronic conditions. This study aims to investigate the impacts of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD) on brain health, cognition, and overall well-being in this vulnerable population. The Research Coordinator will support the Principal Investigator and team leader in the strategic planning and execution of the study, including participant recruitment, research design, data collection, and analysis. This position is key to ensuring the smooth operation of the study and advancing our understanding of how TBI and CSVD contribute to brain health in individuals facing complex health challenges.

Organizational Status
The coordinator works under the supervision of the team leader and the principal investigator.

Work Performed

• Support the Principal Investigator and project lead in designing and enhancing TANDEM study assessments, databases, and operational protocols to ensure alignment with research objectives and ethical standards.
• Attend monthly meetings for the purpose of establishing research strategies and defining goals.
• Lead project team meetings to coordinate efforts and address challenges.
• Perform preliminary analyses on research data, including evaluations of findings, while contributing to the writing of research publications.
• Draft, revise, and finalize key documents such as ethics submissions, contracts, academic proposals, and scientific reports, ensuring compliance with relevant standards.
• Assist team lead to oversee the coordination and execution of all project-related activities, ensuring knowledge translation of research outcomes to Primary Investigators. This could include identifying key audiences, choosing suitable communication channels, and selecting the most effective ways to present the research or creating strategies and plans to convert research findings into formats that are both accessible and relevant.
• Collaborate with team members and stakeholders to facilitate project implementation and meet research objectives.
• Ensure proper archiving of data and configuration of datasets to allow for seamless merging and analysis.
• Develop and implement procedures to support effective research protocols and methodologies.
• Monitor workflow and data collection of research assistants and students to ensure high-quality data management and tracking.
• Organize and conduct training sessions for research assistants and students on data collection, management, analysis, and report preparation.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration processes among the research team, research assistants, and study sites.
• Notify the Principal Investigator and team promptly about any issues or challenges that arise during the project.
• Assist in the hiring process for research assistants, including drafting job descriptions, screening applicants, and participating in candidate evaluations.
• Undertake additional related responsibilities as required to support the research initiatives.
• Mentor and supervise research assistants and co-op students by sharing insights and encouraging professional growth within the research environment.
• The coordinator s primary working environment is at the Downtown Office located at 523 East Hastings, Vancouver, BC, at the Pacific Oak Clinic.
  

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The person needs to be reliable and courteous with participants and colleagues, and able to work independently or in a team environment. Any errors in assessments, collation of data, analysis or recommendation might result in an unreliable report, which can jeopardize PIs decision in various phases of the study. Professionalism and timeliness of reports is of utmost importance.

Supervision Received
The Coordinator will work with the team lead under the supervision of Dr. Will Panenka.

Supervision Given
The coordinator may be required to supervise and provide leadership to research assistants, student assistants and volunteers for and in the absence of the team leader.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in psychology or another mental health related field (social work, nursing, occupational therapy). Minimum two years of experience with neurocognitive tests and perform neuropsychometric assessments. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to effectively use computers. Ability to think conceptually. Ability to exercise sound judgment. Interviewing skills and good clinical judgment (i.e. able to detect when a break is needed or when the interview should be stopped). Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.