Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Family Group
Staff - Non Union

Department
Wood Laboratory | BC Centre for Substance Use | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range
$4,597.80 - $5,469.59 CAD Monthly

CA$60,000.00–CA$75,000.00 yearly

Full-time

Job End Date
November 30, 2027

Posting End Date
November 29, 2026

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

This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks

Organizational Status
The British Columbia CRISM Node is housed at the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) and is comprised of a network of research scientists, service providers, policy makers, community leaders, and people with lived experience of substance use disorder. The BCCSU is the provincial resource for evidence-based information and treatment guidance in the field of addiction and is affiliated with UBC and Providence Health Care. The BCCSU advances evidence-based policy for positive and public policy change, reducing stigma, and supporting patients and their families. The BCCSU is committed to conducting and translating leading-edge research into improved addiction care across British Columbia and beyond.

Work Performed

Conducting and supporting literature searches to identify published research relevant to systematic review questions

Screening titles and abstracts and reviewing full-text articles against established eligibility criteria

Documenting inclusion and exclusion decisions and identifying studies requiring further discussion or adjudication

Extracting data from published research studies using standardized extraction forms and protocols including study design, populations, interventions or exposures, comparators, outcomes, results, study setting, funding sources, conflicts of interest, and other relevant study characteristics

Supporting quality appraisal and risk-of-bias assessment using established methodological tools appropriate to the research question and study design

Supporting the organization, management, and quality assurance of systematic review data including maintaining study screening records, data-extraction files, evidence tables, and other review documentation

Identifying and documenting discrepancies or issues in published research that may affect interpretation of findings

Supporting the assessment and documentation of potential spin or misleading reporting in published research, where relevant to the systematic review

Supporting the development and refinement of systematic review protocols and related documentation

Supporting registration of systematic review protocols on registries such as PROSPERO, where appropriate

Supporting the synthesis and presentation of findings, including preparation of evidence tables and summaries of study characteristics and results

Contributing to the preparation of manuscripts and other scholarly outputs arising from systematic review activities

Summarizing relevant author conflict-of-interest disclosures, funding sources, committee involvement,



and other study or guideline characteristics where required by the review

Participating in research team meetings and discussions related to systematic review methodology and findings

Communicating progress, methodological questions, discrepancies, and challenges to the project lead

Performing other systematic review and evidence-synthesis activities as required by the research program

Research Environment
The successful candidate will work within an interdisciplinary research workplace involving CRISM investigators and collaborators with expertise in substance use, clinical research, public health, epidemiology, health services research, evidence synthesis, guideline development, and knowledge translation.

The position provides an opportunity to contribute to research that moves from identifying and evaluating the available evidence to synthesizing findings that can inform clinical practice and health-system decision‑making.

Some systematic reviews will focus on evaluating clinical interventions, treatments, models of care, harm reduction approaches, or other interventions relevant to people who use substances. Other reviews may address questions related to prevalence, risk factors, health outcomes, implementation, service delivery, or policy.

The successful candidate may therefore contribute to projects using a range of research designs and methodologies, including randomized and non‑randomized intervention studies, observational studies, qualitative research, mixed‑methods research, and other forms of published evidence.

Where systematic reviews are undertaken to support guideline or guidance development, the candidate may also contribute to the preparation and organization of evidence for expert and clinical committees. This may include preparing evidence tables, summarizing the characteristics and findings of included studies, organizing committee materials, and supporting the documentation of the evidence underlying recommendations.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position exercises professional judgment and initiative in the conduct of systematic review activities. Errors made could influence the ability of researchers to interpret data correctly, delay the timely completion of work, and thus compromise the results of research projects. This would impact the credibility of the PI and other research team investigators.

Supervision Received
The Research Assistant will receive primary direction from the Program Manager.

Supervision Given
Not applicable

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

Demonstrated experience or aptitude for conducting literature searches and/or screening published research

Demonstrated experience or aptitude for reviewing abstracts and full‑text articles against established eligibility criteria

Demonstrated experience or aptitude for extracting data from published research studies

Strong attention to detail and ability to consistently and accurately apply established protocols and procedures

Strong organizational and time‑management skills

Ability to work independently and meet established timelines

Strong written communication skills and ability to accurately summarize research findings

Ability to work collaboratively with researchers and other members of a multidisciplinary research team

Preferred Qualifications

Systematic reviews, scoping reviews, rapid reviews, or other forms of evidence synthesis

Critical appraisal and risk‑of‑bias assessment

Quantitative or qualitative research methods

Clinical research or evaluation of clinical interventions

Substance use, mental health, public health, health services, or related research

Evidence synthesis related to clinical practice or health‑system decision‑making

Clinical guideline or guidance development

Assessment of reporting bias, selective reporting, or spin in published research

Use of reference‑management software such as EndNote or similar platforms

Development or registration of systematic review protocols, including experience with PROSPERO

Preparation of evidence tables and evidence summaries

Manuscript preparation and scientific writing

Knowledge translation or mobilization of research findings to clinical, policy, or community audiences

Candidate Expectations

Excellent attention to detail and commitment to research quality and methodological rigor

Ability to accurately and consistently apply systematic review methods

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to summarize complex research findings clearly and accurately

Ability to identify and communicate methodological questions, uncertainties, and discrepancies to senior research team members

Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary research team

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines

Professional and respectful communication with researchers and research team members

Commitment to transparent, rigorous, and reproducible research practices

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.

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📌 Research Assistant-1 (British Columbia)
🏢 The University of British Columbia
📍 British Columbia