Student Research Coordinator - Vancouver, Canada - The University of British Columbia

Description

Job Summary

Facilitates and promotes co-curricular and experiential research, scholarship and engagement opportunities for UBC Faculty of Medicine (FoM) undergraduate students (both MD Undergraduate Students and non-MD), as well as non-FoM students working within the FoM.

Responsible for the implementation of on-going, annual and one-time projects, programs, and initiatives to create a supportive learning environment for FoM undergraduate students engaged in scholarly co-curricular or experiential activities, particularly those that support the exit competencies of undergraduate students within the MD Undergraduate Program (MDUP). This includes participating on both ongoing and ad-hoc FoM committees, working groups and advisory councils, facilitating communication across the FoM regional and clinical campuses with respect to student research and scholarship, managing donor and stakeholder relationships, and providing support to student-staff and student led teams/initiatives. This will include the creation and maintenance of databases of research projects and researchers for the FoM; the creation and maintenance of related web content; oversight and coordination of activities, and gathering and communicating information on research, scholarship and funding opportunities.

Organizational Status

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC's entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

Our Vision: To Transform Health for Everyone

Ranked among the world's top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 12,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors and health care professionals, making remarkable discoveries, and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

The Faculty—comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 650 full-time academic and over 10,000 clinical faculty members—is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, 3 schools, and 25 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty, staff and trainees are located at university campuses, clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.

The UBC Vancouver Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.

Work Performed

Facilitates and promotes student engagement in research and scholarly activities within the Faculty of Medicine.

Program Coordination:

Manages and coordinates internal awards programs, supporting student engagement in research and scholarly activities: including determining eligibility and adjudication criteria; developing application materials; managing adjudication committees; determining awardees, establishing funding criteria; managing program budgets, and processing award payments. Develops and implements program evaluation tools, analyzes the results, and prepares a detailed annual comparative report of participation and funding for the Faculty of Medicine.

Current programs include: Summer Student Research Program (FoM SSRP), Multidisciplinary Research Program in Medicine (FoM MRPM), Travel Awards, and Research Scholarships.

Participates in ongoing and ad-hoc FoM committees, working groups and advisory councils, related to student research and engagement activities.

Acts as the primary FoM contact person for the UBC Medical Journal (UBCMJ) to oversee the UBCMJ editorial team and liaise with the FoM Communications team as well as other stakeholders to ensure the Office of the Dean is informed, and therefore prepared, if there are any items that may generate further media interest; student research is promoted through FoM and UBC communication channels; and UBC branding is taken into account.

Develops funding application(s) for the UBC Work Learn Program to request funds for Work Learn student subsidies to support the student research and other FoM Office of the Vice Dean, Research portfolios. Manages Work Learn student employee(s) including hiring, orientation, training, work plan development, evaluation and mentoring.

Research & Student Engagement Facilitation:

Advises students, faculty and staff on student engagement in research and scholarly activities; including individual advising and working with relevant student-interest groups.

Possesses current knowledge of the policies and regulations related to the conduct of student research and advises faculty and students on these policies and regulations as needed. Reviews and revises policies and procedures in conjunction with appropriate stakeholders as required.

Develops and delivers research-skills training workshops for students; identifies and engages content matter experts to participate as appropriate. Builds and delivers multiple educational workshops as part of the MRPM summer program, reaching out to subject matter experts as needed.

Identifies health research funding opportunities in BC and internationally, and creates and maintains a database of funding opportunities for students.

Develops and distributes communications to keep FoM undergraduate students informed of available research and scholarly funding, opportunities, events, and resources. This includes development and distribution of the Student Research News e-bulletin and the creation and maintenance of web content. Works with the Database Analyst and FoM Communications team as appropriate. Ensures website information meets needs of student population.

Internal and External Relations:

Promotes the importance of student research and scholarship and related opportunities with all MDUP sites. Develops a communications strategy to disseminate information on available research, scholarship and funding opportunities and resources. This will include the development of publicity materials and electronic communications and the delivery of information sessions.

Liaises with internal and external donors and funding bodies to determine funding available for student research projects, draws up program budgets, manages financial resources (including internal funding, endowments, and donor funding), and allocates funding. Works with FoM Development Office to steward existing program donors and identifies and secures new opportunities for funding.

Supports the MDUP program across all regional sites with research opportunities.

Facilitates co-curricular and experiential research, scholarship and engagement opportunities for non-FoM students who are working within the FoM

Maintains relationships with UBC Research Ethics Boards, UBC Safety and Risk Services and other entities to facilitate connections with students and faculty as appropriate.

Builds relationships with the Medical Undergraduate Society (MUS), the UBC Medical Journal

(UBCMJ), and other relevant student-led groups and initiatives to promote student engagement in research and scholarship.

General:

Develops, implements and maintains up-to-date procedure manual for this position.

Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Errors in performance of the above-related duties could have a significant impact on the effectiveness, image, and reputation of the FoM both locally and internationally. Incorrect or incomplete information provided to faculty or students regarding research and funding opportunities could result in a loss of potential funds to these groups. Failure to manage the financial resources for student research projects could result in over-expenditure or a loss in funds. Failure to provide correct information on research-related policies/regulations could compromise the integrity of research projects and negatively impact the reputation of the university.

Supervision Received
Reports directly to the Associate Director, Research Programs and Administration, Office of the Vice Dean, Research and has a functional dotted line reporting to the Administrative Director, Office of the Vice Dean, Education and will be expected to work independently and to exercise initiative and judgment in performing all work-related functions. Work is reviewed for completion of established goals and objectives.

Supervision Given
Required to manage student volunteers and UBC Work Learn student employees including hiring, orientation, training, work plan development, performance management and mentoring.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
Minimum of two years' experience or the 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

A student-centered approach to work and an interest in enhancing the student experience.

Experience conducting independent research projects and/or research program management to the degree that one can act as a subject matter expert and advisor to students, staff and faculty.

Proven problem-solving and judgment skills. Project Management skills. Ability to prioritize tasks and work effectively to meet deadlines. Able to work under pressure - fast paced, high volume and critical deadlines. Proven ability to adapt to and work effectively in a multi-tasked environment. Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail. Effective oral and written communication skills. Experience in research and technical writing. Public Speaking. Demonstrated ability to work within a team environment. Ability to facilitate dialogue between diverse constituents. Excellent and effective interpersonal skills, leadership qualities. Excellent knowledge of MS office software, database programs and internet applications and tools. Sensitivity to cultural norms in international settings. Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy and discretion.