Academic
Job Category
Faculty Non Bargaining
Job Title
Research Associate, Birth Place Lab
Department
Vedam Laboratory | Department of Family Practice | Faculty of Medicine (Saraswathi Vedam)
Posting End Date
March 9, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
Mar 14, 2027
The expected salary for this position is $90,000 per year.
The Birth Place Lab, Midwifery, Department of Family Practice at The University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for a Research Associate on a 2-year contract, with a possibility of extension.
These positions are 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.
Job Summary
The Research Associate (RA) strengthens the research capacity and outputs of the Birth Place Lab (http://birthplacelab.org), a research lab that specializing in community-centred health services research and knowledge translation projects that advance equity, safety, and respect in perinatal services. In conjunction with the Lead Investigator and key stakeholders, the RA will develop and oversee qualitative and mixed-methods analysis activities for the Birth Place Lab (BPL). The RA will collaborate with and liaise with external research partners, community leads and contractors to meet research goals and deliverables. The RA provides technical expertise, mentorship, and support to early career scholars and trainees. This position will also have an active role in the development of grant proposals for the ongoing support of these projects and integrated knowledge translation activities, as needed.
The Birth Place Lab (BPL), a research unit within the Department of Family Practice, facilitates transdisciplinary, community-based participatory action research aimed at improving access to high quality perinatal services, from preconception to early parenting. The BPL supports multi-national, multi-stakeholder teams as they collaborate on quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods provincial, national, and international research projects, and hosts trainees from midwifery, medicine, public health, and other disciplines. The BPL internal team includes the PI, a Senior Research Associate, Equity Strategist, Administration and Operations Manager, Projects Coordinator, Communications staff and a range of graduate, professional, and postdoctoral trainees. All team members liaise with Co-Is, external partners, and community partners who co-lead projects.
The BPL currently holds several grants that fund research and knowledge translation projects on the lived experience of perinatal services, especially among historically marginalized populations. These projects are poised to inform health policy, system and service leaders about pragmatic, community-responsive modes of increasing accountability for rights-based, high quality health services for all childbearing families. Current research studies, funded by various Tri-Council agencies and foundations, are institutionally supported through the Division of Midwifery, Department of Family Practice, UBC Faculty of Medicine, the Women's Health Research Institute, and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute. The core research team is located in Vancouver, though transdisciplinary research and community partners are spread across North America, Europe, Africa, India, the UK, South America, and Oceania.
The RA co-leads qualitative and mixed-methods analyses for the BPLs core projects including a national research project: RESPCCT (60 transdisciplinary Co-Is, Community Steering Council and Partners); and international projects: Giving Voice to Mothers (30 transdisciplinary Steering Council members and 15 Co-Investigators), and Birth Includes Us (in collaboration with Dr. Altman at the University of Hawaii. The Birth Place Lab maintains a wide network of national and international research collaborators and organizational partners.
To apply, please send a cover letter and CV outlining your research interests, career goals, and fit for the position to Ali Tatum, Equity and Operations Manager, at ali.tatum@ubc.ca. Review of applications will on an ongoing basis until position is filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Qualitative & Mixed-Methods Research
- Responsible for oversight, management and execution of the qualitative and mixed-methods analysis process and procedures across multiple research projects and activities at the BPL.
- Collaborates with PI, SRA, Equity Strategist, , and Co-Is and Steering Councils to create and implement strategic analysis plans and objectives.
- Actions priorities and goals for qualitative/mixed-methods research, analysis, and publications.
- Provides oversight on the preparation, renewal, and/or submission of applications for research ethics, as required.
- Writes and supports the writing and publication of manuscripts, reports, publications, presentations, and other documents, particularly those utilizing qualitative or mixed methods analyses, and those focused on KT or other areas of subject matter expertise (e.g.: the lived experiences of specific marginalized populations).
- Trains students and team members in qualitative and mixed-methods analysis procedures.
- Qualitative analysis for findings from a provincial study of maternity care experiences
- Training community partners in research methods for analyses, interpretation, and data display
Publication and Dissemination
- Identify potential research findings for publication.
- Analyze data and interpret observations and findings
- Prepare and deliver presentations for health professionals, academic conferences, and project related events.
- In collaboration with community partners and co-investigators, draft and co-author manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals.
- Preparation of syntheses, summary reports, and scientific articles
- Identify health policy, system, service and access gaps and opportunities
- Evaluate alignment with research activities and develop strategies to promote uptake of research findings for health system, policy and service improvement.
Grant Applications
- Identify funding opportunities support ongoing research and KT opportunities across multiple Birth Place Lab projects.
- Draft, contribute and/or collaborate on planning, preparation, and submission of grant applications and extensions for existing grants to Tri-Council Agencies, Institutes, Foundations, and private donors.
Subject Matter Expertise
- Provide expertise on qualitative research and analysis.
- Provide input for representing the lived experiences of specific marginalized populations through intersectional analysis.
- Provide expertise on creative, arts-based knowledge translation techniques and practices.
Consequence of Error
The incumbent exercises professional judgment and initiative in the overall coordination and management of research projects at the BPL. Insufficient progress and accuracy in research, design of KT tools, and/or community events could lead to project delays for all aspects of the Tri-Council funded projects that are dependent on timely execution of planned activities. Errors in data analysis, interpretation, and communications could lead to presentation of erroneous information, which would damage credibility of the projects, destabilize community trust in the Birth Place Lab, and have negative impacts on the Department and University. Full understanding and compliance with current standard Canadian guidelines on research, and access to Information and Protection of Privacy act are required.
Supervision Received
Work will be carried out under the general guidance of, and in collaboration with Professor Saraswathi Vedam, PI and Principal of the Birth Place Lab. The incumbent will work both independently and interdependently, and will be required to use a high degree of initiative and professional judgement in carrying out responsibilities. The incumbent will work collaboratively with other members of the Birth Place Lab team and community partners, provincially, nationally, and internationally.
Supervision Given
The incumbent will have supervisory responsibilities, including providing direction, oversight, and knowledge to a research team and trainees for mixed methods and qualitative analyses, and providing functional direction to researchers for projects under their purview. Occasionally, the incumbent may be required to provide academic supervision for students.
Qualifications
- The successful candidate will hold a postgraduate degree (e.g., PhD, ScD) in Midwifery, Medicine, Public Health, Sociology, Human Rights Law, Interdisciplinary Studies or related field. A high-level understanding of health equity, reproductive justice and quality of care frameworks is essential.
- A commitment to cultural humility and authentic patient engagement are core values guiding our work. Knowledge of qualitative and mixed-methods analysis methods and frameworks and the ability to relate to and communicate respectfully with a diversity of stakeholders (community members, clinicians, researchers, policy makers) are essential. A record of publication and experience supporting academic publications would be an asset. Minimum of 4 years of related experience in addition to academic qualifications, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- The candidate will embrace the importance of authentic community engagement, consultation, partnership, and self-determination among service users. This position requires a high level of independence, interpersonal skills, and knowledge about pregnancy and childbearing services, and/or access to health services among disadvantaged populations in BC and Canada. Preference will be given to candidates possessing knowledge of the Canadian policies or experience in policy development related to the health research.
- Knowledge of qualitative and mixed methods for data analysis (including the use of software like Atlas or NVIVO) required.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including Indigenous organizations, persons from marginalized communities, researchers, policy-makers and the public.
- Excellent organizational, presentation, and time- management skills, including experience working with interdisciplinary teams, proficiency with MS Office and referencing software are required. Ability to ensure timely completion of tasks by adjusting priorities as required.
- Proven ability to work in a confidential environment and to work effectively in independent and collaborative team environments.
- Candidate should be willing to travel.
- Ability to initiate and conduct research and design knowledge translation activities.
- Experience developing innovative approaches to communicating complex knowledge to a variety of stakeholders/communities is essential.
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.
Our Vision: To Transform Health for Everyone.
Ranked among the world’s top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 12,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors and health care professionals, making remarkable discoveries, and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.
The Faculty - comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 650 full-time academic and over 10,000 clinical faculty members - is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, three schools, and 24 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty, staff and trainees are located at university campuses, clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented 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. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.