Clinical Research Lab Coordinator

Job Summary

Dr. Azar’s research lab at Vancouver General Hospital’s Complex Pain and Addiction Service (CPAS) and UBC Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, conducts clinical and translational research focusing on the development and evaluation of novel opioid agonist treatment protocols and medical devices to improve the health outcomes for patients with mental health and substance use disorders. The Research Lab Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day operations, oversight, and management of Dr. Azar’s research lab. The portfolio will include managing team members (hiring, onboarding, overseeing work), applying for grant funding, and coordinating a diverse set of innovative projects. Areas of emphasis include but are not limited to the development of new technologies to support people who use drugs, such as developing a treatment compliance mobile application, clinical research in addiction psychiatry, randomized controlled trials, and prevention campaigns for youth. Further, the Research Lab Coordinator is responsible for organizational duties, such as budgeting and overseeing group finances, and building strategic alliances with other research groups.

Organizational Status
The Research Lab Coordinator will report to the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Azar, and work closely with the Clinical Associate and Planner, and Research Scientist. Additionally, the Research Lab Coordinator will be expected to support team members in different academic positions (graduate and undergraduate students, faculty partners and interns). The Research Lab Coordinator will support and direct any research assistants, students, and volunteers in their areas of study or work.

Work Performed

• Coordinate all aspects of on-going behavioural and clinical research projects, including but not limited to developing and implementing recruitment, data collection procedures, onboarding team members, obtaining credentials to conduct research, and communicating with partners about project progress and priorities.

• Ensure enforcement of project goals, timelines, and protocols, overseeing data collection, management and analysis, training research team members, and tracking the progress, quality and implementation of activities.

• Works with the PI in defining the scope and deliverables for research projects, estimating the necessary resources and time frames to achieve the intended outcomes.

• Leads and supports the research team, ensuring all members are aligned with each project’s goals, timelines, and budget. This involves providing guidance and training to team members.

• Ensures all necessary regulatory documents, such as from the clinical research site(s) and from the human ethics board, are obtained. This involves providing guidance for researchers on regulatory requirements, preparing and submitting ethics applications, and attending ethics review meetings where necessary.

• Monitor the acquisition of research samples and overseeing the accessibility and analysis of data, ensuring compliance with established protocols, such as for a randomized controlled trial to test new induction protocols.

• Establishes and monitors quality control processes for ongoing research, for example, for data collection, analysis and adherence to research protocols.

• Acts as a liaison between researchers, the VP research office, and funding agencies, resolving any issues that arise during research projects.

• Identifies potential funding opportunities on a consistent basis and works closely with PI, other relevant partners and research team members to write grant applications.

• Develops grant proposals, contracts, and academic submissions and handling the preparation of interim reports for various grant agencies in line with project deadlines.

• Participates actively in forecasting and preparing project budgets to ensure financial plans are realistic and aligned with project objectives.

• Assists in the allocation of resources to ensure that budgetary constraints are met while maintaining the necessary support for research activities.

• Works with various stakeholders both internal and external, including partner organizations, funding agencies, international partners, to establish project timelines and detailed work plans to ensure smooth progress and meeting of overall research goals.

• Performs other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Accountability and responsibility of this position is high. The consequence of error could result in lost data, financial difficulties, compromised integrity and success of research projects.

Supervision Received
The incumbent will be supervised by Dr. Azar and is expected to be self-directed, taking initiative as a collaborative team member. Teamwork is a backbone of the work. This individual will follow established policies, procedures and employee standards of UBC and VCH

Supervision Given
This position will supervise up to two dozen research staff, students, and volunteers at any given time.

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

• Degree in Psychology, Health Sciences, Statistics, or Computer Science preferred.

• Experience in qualitative and quantitative epidemiologic research methods, analysis andstudy design

• Experience with budgetting and financial administration

• Experience working in administrative or research capacity at UBC is an asset

• Experience conducting clinical research at and have knowledge on health authority is an asset.

• Experience with social media, web development, and e-health an asset

• Ability to perform financial and budgetting planning functions

• Ability to effectively use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SPSS, Adobe Acrobat at an advanced level.

• Ability to compose correspondence, reports, presentations, and other written materials using clear concise business English

• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet short deadlines.

• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities. Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail

• Ability to initiate and conduct research projects

• Ability to identify and analyze key results from scientific, statistical, and quantitative research findings

• Ability to deal with a range of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner

• Ability to effectively lead and plan meetings. Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve.

• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.

• Ability to collaborate with partners from diverse disciplines and partners in health care, academic, and the NGO field are critical.

• The individual must be self-motivated, responsible, and have excellent communication skills.