Job ID

75661

Job Title

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Regular/Temporary

Temporary

Location

HSC- Central Campus

Open Date

2026/05/04

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

2026/05/17

Employee Group

Unifor Unit 1, Staff

Favorite Job

Department

Medicine

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Salary Grade/Band

Grade 6

Salary Range

$22.94 - $36.83 (hourly)

Job Code

JD0592

Existing Vacancy

Yes - Backfilling as Existing

Contract Duration

12.2 Months

Target Number of Openings

1

Hours per Week

28

Posting Details

Schedule

Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm, 28 hours per week. Fridays, evenings, and weekends as needed.

Education Level

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.

Career Level

Requires 2 years of relevant experience.

Anticipated Fill Date

As soon as possible

Existing Vacancy?

Yes, backfilling an existing position

Job Description Number

JD00592

Job Description

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

Job Summary:

The Research Assistant will be responsible for organizing and administering one or more research projects within required deadlines under the direction of a Principal Investigator or project leader.

The successful candidate will work 4 days/week to assist with collection, management and reporting of data collected during clinical trials in a busy respiratory research laboratory. The position will require working with a team of scientists, clinicians, study coordinators and trainees, and it will also require interacting with regulatory personnel including HIREB, study monitors and sponsors. Daily schedule must be able to shift as needed outside the hours of 8:30am-4:30pm.

Accountabilities:

• Oversee the collection, entry, verification, management, analysis, and reporting of data.
• Use statistical software to analyze data and interpret results.
• Design and maintain databases, data collection forms, error checking methods and related programs for efficient
• collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Modify and reconfigure databases to ensure the optimal storage of data and minimize data entry complexities.
• Troubleshoot moderately complex computer problems.
• Write data management and operations documentation for the project.
• Liaise between the project centre and remote project sites and personnel.
• Conduct structured project participant interviews.
• Ensure that the relevant research methodology is applied and all research material is handled in accordance with
• established protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Participate in the development of promotional strategies and related materials to encourage participation and support
• for research projects.
• Develop presentations and present information and training sessions to project personnel and project participants.
• Keep project participants informed of project progress through regular reports and newsletters.
• Gather and compile information and data required for the preparation of scientific papers, abstracts, and graphs.
• Conduct literature searches.
• Oversee the extraction and compilation of data required for reports and disseminate data to research groups and
• collaborating partners.
• Implement and maintain the research project budget. Create financial projections and make adjustments to the
• research project budget throughout the fiscal year.
• Exercise appropriate budget controls, monitor, and reconcile accounts.
• Write a variety of letters and memos.
• Participate in research project meetings and propose recommendations for procedure modifications and development
• in the areas of data management, quality control, and assurance.
• Write, update, and archive data management and quality assurance conventions.
• Respond to inquiries received from project personnel regarding relevant project issues and procedures.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.
• Requires 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with the following is also an asset:

  • Knowledge of pulmonary function measurements and bronchoprovocation challenges for asthma research.

  • Experience with light microscopy and manual differential cell counting from bronchial tissue, dermis, sputum, blood and bone marrow.

  • Experience with recruiting and consenting participants for clinical research studies.

  • Familiar with extracting medical data from Epic

  • Trained to use wet laboratory equipment for centrifuging and processing biological samples.

  • GCP training and previous experience with HIREB applications, clinical trial data entry and interacting with CROs and study sponsors.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Vaccination Mandate - FHS

This position is located in a host hospital or other healthcare site that has an active vaccination mandate in place. Successful applicants will need to comply with these and any other health and safety measures necessary as part of their appointment.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.