Project & Research Coordinator

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

Job End Date

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. Ultimately, the objective is 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 including Heartwood for Women, Red Fish Healing Centre, and BC Correctional Centres.  Several of our studies are done in collaboration with people with lived expertise and with clinicians and operations leaders in BC, across Canada, and internationally.
Organizational Status
Incumbent will serve as a research and project coordinator, responsible for supporting the design, implementation, and oversight of research projects. They will also be expected to support with advancing Indigenous specific antiracism priorities, stakeholder engagement, grant writing, and high-level knowledge translation. This position requires both advanced technical research skills and project coordination expertise, with the ability to assist the PI in managing multiple concurrent projects, supporting junior staff, and liaising with internal and external partners, including people with lived experience (of mental health, substance use and criminal justice involvement), clinicians, policymakers, and academic collaborators.

Work Performed

• Assists the PI in designing, modifying, and implementing complex research protocols and supports preparation of ethics applications and renewals for multiple institutional review boards by drafting sections and amendments. Troubleshoots operational challenges in ongoing studies.

• Supports the PI and team in the coordination of multiple research projects, ensuring milestones and deliverables are met. Assists in developing and monitoring project forecasts, and procurement of supplies. Coordinates stakeholder engagement activities, including community consultations, advisory groups, and interdisciplinary meetings.

• Oversees collection, coding, storage, and quality assurance of sensitive health and legal data. Implements secure data management practices within the work unit in compliance with organizational requirements. Conducts quantitative and qualitative analyses; interprets and reports results.

• Has the opportunity to co-author academic publications, reports, and policy briefs and deliver presentations for conferences, government agencies, and community organizations.

• Posts website updates, social media content, and supports with annual reviews to UBC, BCMHSUS, BC Corrections.

• Monitor calls and deadlines for funding opportunities and supports the preparation of competitive grant applications. Helps develop letters of support, budgets, justifications, and supporting documentation for funding submissions.

• Supports and mentors' junior staff and trainees in ethics, research methods, data handling, and knowledge translation. Assigns tasks, monitors progress, and provides feedback on performance.

• Builds and sustains collaborative relationships with people with lived experience, Indigenous partners, clinicians, and policymakers. Embeds equity, diversity, and inclusion principles in all aspects of research design and implementation.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The incumbent exercises substantial judgment, independence, and discretion, and is accountable for ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, and organizational standards.
Supervision Received
Works with a high degree of independence under the general direction of the Principal Investigator.
Supervision Given
Supervises and may assign tasks to research assistants, and other project staff. 
Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three 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

Advanced research skills in mental health, criminology, psychology, psychiatry, or related field.

•  Demonstrated experience in project management, preferably in health or social science research.

•  Strong knowledge of ethics requirements for sensitive health/legal research.

•   Proven ability to manage budgets and coordinate multi-partner projects.

•   Excellent oral and written communication skills for academic, policy, and public audiences.

•   Experience working with equity-deserving populations and applying principles of trauma-informed practice, cultural safety, and anti-racism.