Clinical Research Assistant

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

The expected pay for this part-time, 0.60 FTE position is $2,907.10/mon, fixed term, and on-site.

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 McKeown Lab at the Pacific Parkinson Research Centre, University of British Columbia (UBC) is seeking a part-time 0.60 FTE, Clinical Research Assistant (Digital Health) with clinical training to support a research study evaluating a digital health technology for people with Parkinson’s disease. Medical licensure in BC is not required for the position. In this role, you will contribute clinical expertise to the conduct of the study, including participant assessments, review of study data, and the identification and escalation of participant safety concerns. The position requires sound clinical knowledge, careful judgment, and the ability to work effectively with patients, caregivers, and multidisciplinary research teams.

Organizational Status
This position reports directly to the Principal Investigator (PI) and works closely with research coordinators, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, engineers, and clinical collaborators. The Clinical Research Assistant is expected to maintain professional and respectful interactions with all team members and research participants. Given the importance of timely review of study data and participant safety, responsiveness and reliability are essential. Sensitivity and professionalism when discussing personal health matters with patient populations are critical.

Work Performed

• Conduct in-person study visits with research participants, including administering standardized clinical assessments and questionnaires.
• Review study data and technology-generated outputs from a clinical perspective, using structured review procedures.
• Identify potential participant safety concerns and escalate them promptly to the PI according to study procedures.
• Assist with participant screening, eligibility review and the informed consent process.
• Support participants and caregivers in the use of study technologies.
• Document study activities, adverse events and protocol deviations accurately and in a timely manner.
• Assist with the finalization of the study protocol and regulatory materials, including Research Ethics Board (REB) submissions, consent forms, and study documentation.
• Implement and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), the approved study protocol, and Research Ethics Board (REB) requirements.
• Provide clinical input to the research and development team to support the design and refinement of study tools.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, clinicians, and researchers, to support the study protocol, data analysis and publications.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Errors in study assessments or data review may compromise the validity of the study’s findings, leading to unusable data and delays in research timelines. Poor judgment may affect participant safety, study integrity, and the reputation of the PI, the Pacific Parkinson Research Centre, and UBC.

Supervision Received
This position reports to the PI, who holds medical responsibility for the study and makes all final medical decisions, with day-to-day support from the lab manager and research coordinators. The incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgment in report review, study visits and work planning, and to escalate any clinical or safety concern to the PI.

Supervision Given
May provide guidance to trainees, students, or research staff on clinical aspects of the study, administration of study scales, and report review standards.

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

• A degree in medicine, nursing, or other health professions, or equivalent; international credentials considered. Medical licensure in British Columbia is not required for this role.
• Clinical experience with adult patients; experience in neurology, movement disorders, geriatrics or psychiatry is an asset.
• Familiarity with Parkinson’s disease and its non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety, orthostatic hypotension, constipation).
• Experience with clinical research, including participant recruitment, informed consent and data collection.
• Completion of TCPS 2 CORE and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training, or willingness to complete them before starting.
• Comfort working with digital health tools and interest in AI in clinical care.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain high data quality standards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, including the ability to discuss sensitive health topics with older adults and their caregivers.
• Ability to work on-site in Vancouver and to schedule study visits around participants’ availability.

Note: This position involves working with participant health information, and strict adherence to privacy and ethical guidelines is required.

If you are a medically trained professional interested in contributing to cutting-edge Parkinson’s disease research and the responsible use of AI in patient care, we encourage you to apply. Join our team in advancing innovative digital health research at UBC.