Research Associate - Spiro

Academic

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Profile

Research Associate

Job Title

Research Associate - SPIRO

Department

Camp Lab | UBC James Hogg Research Centre | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$1.00 - $500,000.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

December 31, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Aug 31, 2024

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

SPIRO (Spirometry for Improved Indigenous and Rural Respiratory Outcomes) is a newly-formed research team funded by a 5-year grant via the Canadian Institutes of Health Research THINC (Transforming Health with Integrated Care) initiative. The THINC initiative aims “to improve our understanding of how to implement, evaluate, adapt and/or spread and scale (share) evidence-informed integrated care policies and interventions that encompass intersectoral collaborations within and/or beyond the formal health care delivery system in order to advance the Quadruple Aim and health equity”(CIHR website, 2023).

The SPIRO team is a dynamic, national partnership of patients, researchers, health care providers, organizations, and health system decision-makers, working to transform diagnosis and care for British Columbia affected by chronic lung disease, specifically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our emphasis is on integrated care, which begins with an accurate diagnosis via spirometry, with a specific focus on the unique needs of Indigenous and remote and rural communities. The SPIRO team brings diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills to address the many complex, intersectional, and interdisciplinary factors which impact access to spirometry and integrated care.

SPIRO is comprised of more than 40 team members and partner organizations. As a senior member of the core operations team, the Research Associate will support the day-to-day work of all projects, committees, and workgroups, ensuring the team’s key deliverables are achieved on time and within budget. The work includes planning, coordination, and communications for SPIRO, and contributing to the scholarly goals of the team. SPIRO’s projects may include environmental scans, systematic reviews, document analysis, and empirical quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies in urban, rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. The Research Associate position offers a unique opportunity for mentoring trainees, supervising staff, and interacting with First Nations communities, health authorities, governmental, private industry, and non-governmental organization partners. It also provides an environment for exposure to a rich variety of research experiences, personal development, mentorship from a diverse group of team members, and exposure to academic and non-academic health-related professions.

Effectiveness in this role requires a detailed understanding of the Canadian health care and health research landscape, patient-oriented and community-based research, and Indigenous health research, including the interests and needs of external audiences. It also requires the ability to think strategically and anticipate future needs of the network and its partners, identifying and facilitating collaborative connections and research synergies within Canada and internationally.

Organizational Status

The Research Associate works with the SPIRO team, with day-to-day reporting to the Nominated Principal Applicant, Dr. Pat Camp.

He/She/They will also work closely with Working Groups within SPIRO, our partners, and the CIHR THINC Hub.

Work Performed

Key activities include:

• Work closely with other members of the SPIRO, and other UBC departments, including Finance and Human Resources
• Chairing or co-chairing SPIRO senior leadership, working group, and other related meetings
• Conducting analyses on primary and secondary sources of data
• Supervising research assistants and trainees
• Performing literature and systematic reviews
• Providing other support as required to the SPIRO team
• With the SPIRO administrative support staff, you will have the opportunity, when possible, to:
• Supporting a program of research that uses multiple research methodologies
• Performing environmental scans, policy reviews, and primary and secondary data analysis to support the development of asset maps of resources for the care of COPD locally and provincially
• Preparing and delivering presentations for research meetings and conferences
• Regular engagement with decision-makers for translation of research evidence into practice, following a learning health system model
• Work with team members to resolve issues and challenges, proposes and implements mitigation strategies, seeking guidance and support as needed
• Leading and supporting the team in preparing grant applications
• Support the document management systems for SPIRO
• Developing reports, research briefs and manuscripts for publication
• Facilitate the training programs that the team will develop for team members and other groups
• Support communications of SPIRO

Consequence of Error

Work requires initiative, creativity, and attention to detail. The incumbent must be capable of managing and coordinating many tasks related to multiple complex projects. The position requires considerable judgment in the management of project priorities, schedules, and resource requirements. The individual in this position must also be able to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines. Accuracy is essential since errors may negatively affect SPIRO projects, the patient community, stakeholders, future funding, and the reputation of SPIRO and key stakeholders.

This position requires employees to work under strict confidentiality requirements; internal procedures and policies to protect personal information must be followed and adherence to these requirements will be regularly reviewed by the employer.

Supervision Received

The Research Associate works independently under the direction of the Nominated Principal Investigator, Dr. Pat Camp. There will be opportunities to work closely with and be mentored by other academic team members , as well as with our health authority and community partners.

Supervision Given

The Research Associate supports the leadership and direction to the SPIRO team, and supports the work on the Camp Lab research coordinator. They will manage the work of SPIRO’s research assistants, fellows, and graduate students, providing mentoring and support to ensure a cohesive and highly functioning team. Also provides direction and technical knowledge to research teams.

Required Conditions

This position requires a Criminal Record Check (CRC). A pre-employment CRC is required as part of the recruitment process and any offer of employment is contingent pending a positive result of the CRC.

This position is located within a health-care facility. Therefore, this position requires successful verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by the provincial health mandate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong quantitative and/or qualitative data collection and analysis skills, preference for candidates with experience in mixed-methods research
• Proven experience with writing scientific manuscripts relevant to SPIROs work
• Sound knowledge of the Canadian health care system, especially rural health. Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge related to First Nations health policy in Canada
• Positive in attitude and a team player.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and research coordination skills in a wide variety of settings (academic, health care, rural and First Nation communities)
• PhD in a relevant discipline (population and public health, Indigenous health, health services research, rural health, health policy, health informatics, health education, health geography, interdisciplinary studies related to health)
• Flexible with work hours.
• This position requires the ability to travel – therefore, a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record (e.g. needs to be able to drive rental cars) and the ability to travel independently via air and road, throughout BC, in various weather conditions.
• Demonstrated leadership and/or mentorship skills and ability to take initiative, and exercise judgment and discretion.
• Ability to prioritize, be flexible, and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Understanding of theory and approaches related to rural health, knowledge translation, implementation science, and learning health systems would be an asset
• Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve problems.

Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2023

Salary & Benefits: This is a full-time position, renewed annually. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. For reference, the minimum annual salary for this position is: $66,924 and is eligible for benefits.

Applications should be directed to: Dr. Pat Camp and should include a detailed CV and cover letter.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been under-represented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. UBC's strategic plan identifies inclusion as one of our key priorities. We welcome colleagues with the experiences and competencies that can contribute to our principles of inclusion, equity and diversity throughout campus life. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.