Research Asst/Tech 2 (Lavoie Lab)

Job Summary

The Research Assistant/Tech w (RA) will conduct research under the supervision of Dr. P. Lavoie. The position requires ability to perform a wide variety of clinical and basic research tasks with a high degree of competence, precision and independence as well as exceptional organizational skills, motivation, enthusiasm, and initiative are required for this position.

The primary responsibilities of the RA are to oversee day-to-day operations of a new prospective longitudinal cohort study examining how early-life exposure to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shapes infant immune responses and long-term respiratory health. The coordinator will ensure the smooth conduct of participant recruitment, consent, data and biospecimen collection, working closely with clinical, research, and laboratory teams. The RA will also support graduate students and other lab staff performing immunology experiments, including viral neutralization assays, other immunology experiences (e.g. flow cytometry, cell culture).

The RA will prepare reports to communicate study progress to the rest of the team. Moreover, the RA will work with the RSV Program Manager to complete reports, enter clinical data related to this PHSA infant immunization provincial program, as needed.

Additionally, the RA will assist senior team members to troubleshoot problems as they arise and to coordinate, monitor and ensure the implementation of laboratory safety rules. The RA may also offer ongoing training and oversight for of up to two junior members regarding techniques outlined in the study protocol (conducting blood collections at school-based clinics).

The RA is expected to attend professional development opportunities as they appear at BCCHRI, BCWRI and UBC. The RA meets with the PI and the study team weekly.

Organizational Status
Reports to PI, Dr. Lavoie and Project Manager (Allison Watts). Also, may work in close collaboration with Co-Investigators, other RSV Program staff, and other research personnel.

Work Performed·

• Coordinate participant identification and recruitment in collaboration with obstetric and neonatal teams at BC Women’s Hospital.

• Communicate effectively with parents, answer study-related questions, and obtain informed consent. This includes interacting over email, phone and in person, help scheduling of appointments, providing routine information about the study, helping participants to feel informed about the study and comfortable in the study.

• Schedule and manage study visits for mothers and infants according to study timelines.

• Maintain strong relationships with hospital units (e.g., maternity wards, labs, outpatient clinics) to ensure smooth sample collection.

• Oversee collection, labeling, tracking, and secure storage of biospecimens.

• Enter and verify participant data and clinical information in REDCap and other databases.

• Track completion of questionnaires and coordinate mail-in sample kits.

• Liaise with laboratory staff to ensure timely processing and transfer of samples.

• Ensure all study procedures follow ethical, privacy, and safety standards (UBC/PHSA/BCCHR).

• Maintain participant confidentiality and handle data according to privacy regulations.

• Help prepare materials such as study flyers, participant updates, and lay summaries.

• Maintaining and organizing the study participant log and other important project related files, including liaising with blood collection lab at BC Children’s Hospital, maintaining sample inventory logs, collecting data, administering questionnaires and completing case report forms and source documents in accordance with GCP guidelines.

• Contribute to scientific presentations, publications, and grant reporting as needed.

Other duties:

• Work with Research Associate to conduct viral microneutralization assays, flow cytometry, molecular biology, as needed.

• Work with RSV Program Project Manager to support data analysis and reporting, as needed.

• Recording, analyzing and interpreting clinical research data

• Writing progress reports as requested

• Maintaining study database

• Maintaining other study related files

• Other duties as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The RA is required to conduct the research and operational activities in an ethical manner, working independently with minimal instruction and supervision. Study data must be reliably and accurately recorded. Strict confidentiality of all study participants must be adhered too. All activities involving participants are accountable to the Principal Investigator, the Department Head, and the Research Assistant's governing professional organization.

Supervision Received
Works independently under very general supervision provided by the PI.

Supervision Given
May oversee and direct the work of junior staff members regarding specific tasks related to study procedures, communication, record keeping, consenting and blood collections.

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a hospital setting or across the school board an asset.