Research Coordinator

Job title: Research Coordinator

Job description: Staff – Non Union

Job Category M&P – AAPS

Job Profile AAPS Salaried – Research and Facilitation, Level A

Job Title Research Coordinator

Department UBCO | Research Support | Irani | Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science

Compensation Range $5,209.17 – $7,485.33 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date March 7, 2024

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

Job End Date Mar 31, 2025

This position is 0.6 FTE. The following salary range will be pro-rated to reflect this.

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 role of the Research Coordinator is to assist the principal investigators and the project team in all facets of establishing and advancing the Okanagan Data Safety and AI Literacy (O-DSAIL) research cluster. This interdisciplinary cluster harnesses the expertise of its members and their trainees across the Faculties of Science, Arts, Health, and Engineering to create and implement visual and interactive tools prioritizing Safe AI on individual and collective levels. Our focus is on developing socially beneficial tools that mitigate “risk.” Our methodology underscores active engagement with potential users, incorporating cutting-edge work from the social sciences to anticipate the social and political impacts of AI systems. We aim to design frameworks that empower users to make meaningful, informed choices when utilizing AI systems.

This position represents an advanced, multifaceted research administrative role, blending responsibilities for establishing the research cluster with the execution of high-level research activities. Key responsibilities include collaborating with principal investigators to lay a solid foundation for the cluster, working with team members to develop and coordinate strategic research projects, establishing priorities, and monitoring trainee progress. Additional duties involve collecting and analyzing data related to cluster progress, crafting grant applications to secure funding for advanced research cluster themes, conducting qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and spearheading innovative initiatives to facilitate knowledge translation.

Furthermore, the Research Coordinator will contribute to the preparation of financial and administrative cluster reports and play a pivotal role in building effective working relationships with collaborators, both in academia and industry.

Organizational Status

This project is led by Dr. Irani (Computer Science) and Dr. Wong (Political Science) that focuses on Data Saftey and AI Literacy. The Research Coordinator reports to the Principal Investigators but also interacts with all cluter team members. The Research Coordinator will also have the opportunity to overlook the work of trainees as required.

Work Performed

Ensures successful management of the research cluster by collaborating with the PIs on:

• Overseeing and coordinating all activities related to the research project and knowledge translation of the research outcomes;
• Writing and supporting grant applications that advance the cluster objectives;
• Preparing, composing, editing and proofing reports to be submitted by the Principal Investigator’s for publication, academic proposals, administration and presentations;
• Providing support to the Principal investigators, the research team, research assistants by providing leadership in all aspects of research activities;
• Arranging all logistics related to cluster or PI meetings with collaborators;
• Developing and coordinating strategic work plans, and establishing priorities and timelines for a multi-phase research cluster development;
• Working collaboratively with the research team and partners (e.g., academic and industrial partners) to facilitate implementation of projects to support meeting the objectives of the research cluster;
• Ensuring ethical standards of research are followed, monitored and maintained;

Overseeing literature review processes performed by research trainees; * Leading data collection activities, extracting and conducting preliminary analyses as they pertain to cluster development and progress;

• Monitoring workflow and data collection to ensure high quality data collection, tracking and management;
• Organizing and leading orientation and training sessions for research assistants in relation to data collection, data management, data analysis, and preparation of reports;
• Ensuring that data is appropriately archived ;
• Ensuring that online presence is developed, visible and updated;
• Leading, coordinating and actively participating in project team meetings.
• Designing and facilitating processes for communication and collaboration to support the research team, and research trainees;
• Ensuring timely notification of Principal Investigator and team of issues or problems;
• Assisting with hiring of research assistants, writing job descriptions, posting position, screening applicants, participating in candidate selection, facilitating appointments, meeting logistics and conducting performance appraisals;
• Performing other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Principal Investigators will monitor the work of the Research Coordinator. Errors or incorrect decisions could seriously compromise the quality of the cluster outcomes and result in delays in completing projects. Additionally, serious compromises to the quality of the cluster development will jeopardize future funding opportunities. Failure to clearly represent and communicate the work of the research team could result in severed relationships with the funding agency and collaborators. The work of the Research Coordinator must be completed at a high level of accuracy and efficiency.

Supervision Received

The Research Coordinator position will work under the broad directives of the Principal Investigators. It is imperative that the Research Coordinator work collaboratively and with minimal supervision. S/he will act independently in performing defined duties from broad objectives and will alert the Principal Investigators to any unusual situations, and problems as they arise or are anticipated.

Supervision Given

The Research Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring the accurate work of 1-4 research assistants and students.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of 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

• Graduate degree (PhD degree is a significant asset) in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of two years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Effective oral and written communication skills including peer reviewed publications and presentations.
• Ability to manage, supervise and train research trainees.
• Project management experience, successfully managing multi-phase and method research projects through to completion.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods applicable to Safe AI research.
• Ability to exercise initiative and innovative thinking.
• Computer and data analysis skills (Word processing, EXCEL, Reference Manager or RefWorks, SPSS).
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, to multi-task and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
• Effective interpersonal and organizational skills.

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