Research Assistant - Tech 4
About the role
Staff - Non Union
Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants
Job Profile
Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4
Job Title
Research Assistant - Tech 4
Department
Research | Simard Lab | Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences | Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship
Compensation Range
$5,220.98 - $6,124.46 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date
May 7, 2026
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
May 31, 2027
Job Description
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 employee will independently design, develop, and apply ecological and carbon models for the Mother Tree Project & Program (MTP&P) within UBC’s Faculty of Forestry. Working under the direction of Dr. Suzanne Simard, the employee will lead complex data analyses, develop predictive models, produce peer-reviewed manuscript documents, and collaborate with First Nations communities to support carbon monitoring and forest stewardship programs. This position also provides entry-level guidance on ecological modelling methodology to junior team members.
Organizational Status
The position is based in the Mother Tree Project & Program at UBC’s Faculty of Forestry and reports directly to Dr. Suzanne Simard, Professor of Forest Ecology. The employee works closely with Jean Roach and Gabriela Barragan, and liaises with First Nations partners, external collaborators, and other university research teams. The employee works with considerable independence and provides analytical consultation to internal team members and junior staff.
Work Performed
- Design and implement complex analysis plans for novel ecological and carbon datasets.
- Develop and apply predictive carbon models to support forest stewardship decisions by First Nations communities.
- Lead data gathering, cleaning, and quality control processes, resolving discrepancies and applying advanced techniques to ensure analytical integrity.
- Produce manuscript-ready documents for submission to peer-reviewed journals, including complex statistical analyses and interpretation of results.
- Develop novel protocols and analysis procedures for ecological modelling, including entry-level modelling workflows suitable for training junior researchers.
- Make forestry management and stewardship recommendations based on model outputs, in collaboration with First Nations communities and project leadership.
- Consult with internal team members to provide analysis recommendations and support interpretation of results.
- Write reports and contribute to ethics and grant applications as required.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
The employee exercises considerable judgement in determining analytical approaches and modelling methods. Work is expected to meet the rigour required for peer-reviewed publication and to inform management and policy recommendations. Errors in analysis or model design could misguide forest stewardship decisions or invalidate scientific findings. Work will be reviewed by Suzanne Simard and Jean Roach.
Supervision Received
The employee works under minimum supervision from Dr. Suzanne Simard, receiving direction primarily on unusual problems or matters that depart from established procedures. Jean Roach and Gabriela Barragan provide day-to-day operational support and manuscript review.
Supervision Given
The employee may provide guidance and instruction to junior researchers or technical staff on ecological modelling methods and standard analytical procedures, including entry-level modelling workflows.
Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline (such as Ecology, Forestry, Environmental Science, or Geography) and a minimum of four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A graduate degree may be required.
-
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
Graduate degree in Ecology, Forestry, Environmental Science, or a related discipline. Demonstrated experience in ecological or carbon modelling, including proficiency in R or Python. Familiarity with forest carbon accounting, regeneration datasets, and Indigenous land stewardship contexts. Experience producing peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts. Knowledge of entry-level modelling techniques suitable for training or mentoring junior staff is an asset.
About Us
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.
Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.
Not the right fit? Search for Research Assistant jobs in Vancouver, BC
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Research Assistant - Tech 4
About the role
Staff - Non Union
Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants
Job Profile
Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4
Job Title
Research Assistant - Tech 4
Department
Research | Simard Lab | Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences | Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship
Compensation Range
$5,220.98 - $6,124.46 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date
May 7, 2026
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
May 31, 2027
Job Description
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 employee will independently design, develop, and apply ecological and carbon models for the Mother Tree Project & Program (MTP&P) within UBC’s Faculty of Forestry. Working under the direction of Dr. Suzanne Simard, the employee will lead complex data analyses, develop predictive models, produce peer-reviewed manuscript documents, and collaborate with First Nations communities to support carbon monitoring and forest stewardship programs. This position also provides entry-level guidance on ecological modelling methodology to junior team members.
Organizational Status
The position is based in the Mother Tree Project & Program at UBC’s Faculty of Forestry and reports directly to Dr. Suzanne Simard, Professor of Forest Ecology. The employee works closely with Jean Roach and Gabriela Barragan, and liaises with First Nations partners, external collaborators, and other university research teams. The employee works with considerable independence and provides analytical consultation to internal team members and junior staff.
Work Performed
- Design and implement complex analysis plans for novel ecological and carbon datasets.
- Develop and apply predictive carbon models to support forest stewardship decisions by First Nations communities.
- Lead data gathering, cleaning, and quality control processes, resolving discrepancies and applying advanced techniques to ensure analytical integrity.
- Produce manuscript-ready documents for submission to peer-reviewed journals, including complex statistical analyses and interpretation of results.
- Develop novel protocols and analysis procedures for ecological modelling, including entry-level modelling workflows suitable for training junior researchers.
- Make forestry management and stewardship recommendations based on model outputs, in collaboration with First Nations communities and project leadership.
- Consult with internal team members to provide analysis recommendations and support interpretation of results.
- Write reports and contribute to ethics and grant applications as required.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
The employee exercises considerable judgement in determining analytical approaches and modelling methods. Work is expected to meet the rigour required for peer-reviewed publication and to inform management and policy recommendations. Errors in analysis or model design could misguide forest stewardship decisions or invalidate scientific findings. Work will be reviewed by Suzanne Simard and Jean Roach.
Supervision Received
The employee works under minimum supervision from Dr. Suzanne Simard, receiving direction primarily on unusual problems or matters that depart from established procedures. Jean Roach and Gabriela Barragan provide day-to-day operational support and manuscript review.
Supervision Given
The employee may provide guidance and instruction to junior researchers or technical staff on ecological modelling methods and standard analytical procedures, including entry-level modelling workflows.
Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline (such as Ecology, Forestry, Environmental Science, or Geography) and a minimum of four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A graduate degree may be required.
-
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
Graduate degree in Ecology, Forestry, Environmental Science, or a related discipline. Demonstrated experience in ecological or carbon modelling, including proficiency in R or Python. Familiarity with forest carbon accounting, regeneration datasets, and Indigenous land stewardship contexts. Experience producing peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts. Knowledge of entry-level modelling techniques suitable for training or mentoring junior staff is an asset.
About Us
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.
Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.
Not the right fit? Search for Research Assistant jobs in Vancouver, BC