Staff - Non Union
Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants
Job Profile
Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2
Job Title
Communications and Research Assistant
Department
Huntsman Laboratory | Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Faculty of Medicine
Compensation Range
$4,333.86 - $5,155.61 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date
September 16, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
September 14, 2026
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 Gynecologic Cancer Initiative (GCI) is a province-wide effort to accelerate transformative research in the prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship of gynecologic cancers. By leveraging the exceptional talent and rich research environment across British Columbia, the GCI has built a collaborative framework that unites researchers, clinicians, trainees and knowledge users. Our mission is bold and focused: to reduce the incidence and mortality of gynecologic cancers by 50% by 2034. The GCI is powered by the determination, talent, and passion of its people. We believe that through a team-oriented culture grounded in scientific excellence, innovation, and impact, that we can tackle the most challenging problems.
We are seeking a Communications and Research Assistant to support a range of research, including development of a digital health tool, as well as organizational communications. The candidate will assist in the pilot launch and implementation of a survivorship-focused platform, working closely with a patient partners and a multidisciplinary team to collect and analyse user feedback, liaise with development team to inform improvements, and support project coordination. The role also contributes to broader research and knowledge mobilization efforts, including content development, digital engagement, and outreach strategies to enhance visibility and impact of the team’s research.
ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS
The Gynecologic Cancer Initiative (GCI) is a cross-institutional effort based across multiple hospital and research sites in Vancouver, including the University of British Columbia, BC Cancer, the VGH Research Pavilion, the Diamond Health Care Centre, the Women’s Health Research Institute, and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. While the GCI operates across these collaborative sites, the Research Project Coordinator will be based primarily at the VGH Research Pavilion in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The candidate will work under the direction of the Principal Investigators for research-related activities, and under the Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator for communications and outreach efforts.
WORK PERFORMED
Research support:
Assist with scheduling, user engagement, and tracking project activities
Support recruitment and consenting of study participants under supervision
Review clinical and patient records to support data collection
Maintain systems for data entry, documentation, and reporting
Monitor data quality and ensure adherence to established protocols
Assist with database updates and preliminary data analysis
Help prepare study materials, protocols, and ethics submissions
Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans
Support manuscript and presentation preparation through formatting and reference management
Provide regular updates to the research team and flag issues as needed
Perform other related duties as required
Communications support:
Assist in creating and updating content for digital platforms (e.g., website, social media, newsletters)
Help translate scientific content into plain-language materials
Support interviews and story development with researchers and patient partners
Contribute to graphic design and promotional material for events and campaigns
Track analytics and assist with scheduling posts
Attend team meetings and support event-related content capture
SUPERVISION RECEIVE AND CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR
The Communications and Research Assistant will work under the supervision of the project Principal Investigators for research-related activities and the Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator for communications and outreach tasks. While the role involves independent execution of assigned duties, work is performed under guidance and reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established protocols.
Errors in communications work (i.e., inaccurate messaging, poor design, or inconsistent branding) may negatively impact public perception of the GCI, potentially harming relationships with community members, collaborators, and partner organizations. This could jeopardize future funding opportunities and hinder recruitment of researchers, trainees, and patient partners. Ineffective communication may also result in a failure to accurately represent GCI’s impact, weakening its credibility and influence. Errors or incorrect decisions related to projects could compromise research quality and delay project timelines, and may diminish the scientific integrity of the study, damage relationships with collaborators and funders, and impact future funding prospects. The Communications and Research Assistant is expected to complete all tasks with a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and professionalism.
SUPERVISION GIVEN
The Communications and Research Assistant will provide guidance and informal supervision to students, volunteers, or junior staff assisting with specific tasks related to research studies or communications.
Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years 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
Understanding of user experience (UX) principles, particularly as they apply to health applications or patient-facing technologies
Health sciences research experience preferred
Knowledge of research environment an asset
Proficiency with MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, Adobe, Zoom
Intermediate-level proficiency with REDCap
Basic skills and familiarity with design software, (e.g. Canva, Figma, Photoshop, InDesign), Web Editing (e.g. WordPress), and content management systems
Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities
Strong verbal and written communication skills
High attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
Open-minded, willing to learn, and creative
Experience with creating, managing and growing social media content is an asset, but not required
Experiencing with creating, managing and growing social media content is an asset, but not required
