Staff - Non Union
Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants
Job Profile
Non Union Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 1
Job Title
Research Assistant/Technician 1
Department
Nicholls Laboratory | Department of Psychiatry | Faculty of Medicine
Compensation Range
$25.29 - $27.74 CAD Hourly
Posting End Date
March 28, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
Feb 9, 2026
This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.
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 Nicholls Lab, part of the Department of Psychiatry and BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS), focuses on research at the intersection of the mental health and the legal systems. The primary goal of our work is to create and synthesize knowledge on mental health, risk, and recovery to advance clinical practice and support evidence-informed policies and programs for mentally ill and marginalized populations. Our multiple programs of research are intended to reduce the criminalization of mental illness; facilitate accessible, high quality care; develop, implement and evaluate services that improve patient outcomes, and safeguard public safety. Our offices are located at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) in Coquitlam. FPH is a secure 190-bed facility that treats and rehabilitates individuals who have come into conflict with the law and are deemed Unfit to Stand Trial or Not Criminally Responsible Due to Mental Disorder. Although a lot of our work involves patients at FPH, we conduct studies on diverse adult populations with mental health, substance use needs and criminal justice involvement. Several of our studies are done in collaboration with people with lived expertise and with clinicians and operations leaders across Canada.
Organizational Status
This position is seated with the UBC Department of Psychiatry and BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services. Employees interact with other research groups, community organizations, and governmental bodies under these umbrellas. In addition, students will have the opportunity to work with other students and professionals from a diverse set of academic programs. As an example, the Nicholls Lab Work Learn students regularly attend and/or present posters at the annual Department of Psychiatry Research Day. These events provide networking opportunities such as learning about others’ work, receiving feedback from researchers with various backgrounds, and grow professional networks by exchanging contact information. After positions end, employees often move into senior trainee positions (e.g. graduate students).

Work Performed

• Assist with routine data collection and data entry according to established protocols, including retrieving information from existing records and updating databases.
• Conducting basic research tasks such as organizing and summarizing findings from literature searches under guidance.
• Assist with the preparation of simple written materials, such as summaries of literature or basic progress updates and presentation materials.
• Provide general administrative support, including scheduling meetings, updating CVs, and maintaining basic documentation.
• Assist with the preparation of materials for reports and presentations, including basic formatting and proofreading tasks.
• Support the team with general lab tasks, including basic maintenance and assisting with routine test preparation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, in line with the qualifications and requirements of the role.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This opportunity involves being a part of workplace environment that is intended to be safe, supportive and inclusive. Supports are offered both through UBC and through BCMHSUS. For example, employees will have access to supports such as mindfulness meditation events that take place at lunch, offered through psychological health and safety at PHSA. Our lab also has regular meetings to support the development of strong interpersonal relationships and to touch base on all projects.
Supervision Received
Daily supervision will come from the Supervisor and Senior Lab Staff.
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

• Intermediate research skills, notably literature reviews, data collection, data entry, and some statistical knowledge, preferred.
• Attention to detail and specifically, the ability to carefully follow a research protocol is essential. A strong grasp of the English language - both for lay communication and editing professional documents are required.
• Ability to prioritize workload and multi-task based on changing and sometimes tight deadlines is required.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment required.
• Ability to exercise integrity, good judgment, critical problem solving and resourcefulness are essential.

Please refer the Job description for details