Research Asst/tech 2

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title

Research Asst/Tech 2

Department

Research | Ramankutty Lab | Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$4,333.86 - $5,155.61 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

September 10, 2024

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

Job End Date

Dec 15, 2024

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 research assistant will be responsible for assisting with an ongoing global-scale analysis of the multiple benefits (and trade-offs) associated with cover cropping on agricultural landscapes. This research project will include a systematic literature review (database search, screening, full-text review, quality assessment); primary data extraction (manual and software-assisted); extensive data management; modeling and statistical analyses; writing, reviewing, and editing scientific manuscripts and public scholarship; creating and delivering presentations; and hiring other student research assistants. For some of these tasks, the research assistant will take a leadership role, supported by a postdoctoral fellow on the project team.

The position includes additional responsibilities as lab manager for the LUGE lab, such as facilitating regular lab meetings and onboarding new members, as well as managing the lab’s physical spaces, digital resources, and public-facing content. In addition to these responsibilities, the research assistant will have the opportunity to contribute to broader project objectives of public engagement through a self-directed audio (podcasting) project.

Organizational Status

The Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability is a fast-growing department in the Faculty of Science. Currently the Department has about 15 active faculty members, and a number of Faculty Associates, Adjunct Professors, Postdoctoral Research Fellows and Research Associates. The Department has about 90 graduate students.

This position reports to Dr.Navin Ramankutty, the Principal Investigator.

Work Performed
- Read and review scientific literature on agricultural experiments as part of a systematic review and spatially explicit modeling project
- Lead the data extraction activities related to the literature review, providing support to Work Learn student research assistants
- Manage and organize the extracted data in a format suitable for further statistical analyses and modeling
- Develop and maintain a project database in which all documents are organized in a hierarchical or nested structure accompanied by clear, easy-to-follow metadata
- Assist with writing public and peer-reviewed scholarship on the project outcomes
- Coordinate and co-lead the interview process for hiring Work Learn student research assistants
- Participate in weekly project meetings (including note-taking)
- Assist with other duties as necessary

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The incumbent will make important decisions affecting the functioning of the lab. Incompetence or incorrect decisions could jeopardize research progress, collaborations, finances and employee safety, and adversely impact future project objectives and personnel.

Supervision Received
The research assistant will be supervised by Dr. Navin Ramankutty. Works under general supervision in carrying out familiar phases of duties and responsibilities; receives instructions during orientation and on subsequent new assignments or changes in procedures.

Supervision Given

May distribute work assignments to employees at lower classification levels and initiate new employees into routines, procedures and operation of equipment.

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.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to convey and present information orally to various audiences qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
- Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Able to take initiative and think creatively.
- Ability to generate surveys for use in research studies.
- Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
- Ability to accurately proofread for spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Ability to purchase research supplies and software as needed.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a c