Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
Nov 14, 2025At 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 Strategic Projects Assistant is responsible for supporting, developing, and delivering educational and research tools and programs for the Department of Medicine (DOM) and the Data Science and Health Cluster (DASH) to support shared objectives of improving data science literacy and access to health data for research. The Special Projects Assistant is a skilled communicator with a passion for health research, an ability to transform data into compelling narratives, and a talent for creating accessible and informative tools for conveying complex concepts and ideas.
The incumbent works with DOM and DASH partners including Population Data BC (PopDataBC), regional health authorities and research institutes, the UBC Faculty of Medicine, BC Ministry of Health and the broader research community to develop new and raise awareness of existing health data science resources, and engage the community in health data science initiatives. The Department of Medicine Strategic Projects Assistant will provide administrative support for routine operations of the DOM Research Office, and will collect data on grants, publications, contracts and other pertinent research activities carried out by DOM and DASH faculty; identify funding sources; prepare preliminary analyses; develop and edit communications materials; organize meetings and workshops; support development of educational programs; support the development of grant applications and the planning process for future strategic directions.
Organizational Status
The Department of Medicine provides excellence in research, teaching and clinical services related to the nature, cause and prevention of adult diseases. We are the largest department in the Faculty of Medicine with over 1,200 faculty and staff. The Department is comprised of 18 divisions with faculty located across multiple sites in Vancouver and throughout British Columbia. The Department is committed to ensuring the success of our learners and faculty, and to contributing to the health of the province of British Columbia.
The Data Science and Health (DASH) Cluster has been developed by the Department and partners across BC to build a system linking health research data in BC. DASH activities will enhance the availability and use of health data to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, as well as enable computational tools that speed discovery of new knowledge, optimizing health outcomes for all BC residents. DASH will advance three major themes: data mapping, data access, and data analytics for BC health data.
This position is in direct support of the goals of the DASH Cluster, led by Dr. Anita Palepu (Head, Department of Medicine) and the Department of Medicine Research Office led by Dr. Najib Ayas (Associate Head, Research, Department of Medicine). The position reports to the Research Manager and works closely with the DASH Research Coordinator, Drs. Palepu and Ayas, and will additionally receive direction from DASH Principal Investigators (PIs) and cluster theme leads. This role works collaboratively with the other teams and staff in the Department of Medicine Administration Office, Research Office, and with units within VPRI (ORS, SPARC, UILO, ARC), Faculty of Medicine (FOM IT) and affiliated research institutes (VCHRI and PHCRI).
Work Performed
Consequence of Error/Judgement
Although supervision will be given from the team, the incumbent will also be expected to practice independent judgment. Incorrect interpretation of policies, procedures, and communication could cause personnel and operational difficulties.
Supervision Received
The DOM Research Coordinator, Research Manager, and DASH co-lead (Dr. Anita Palepu) will provide an orientation to the DOM Research Office, DASH Cluster, an overview of shared strategic objectives, as well as introductions to the key stakeholders involved in our projects and initiatives, both internal to UBC and external. Job-specific training will also occur during onboarding, and support and guidance will be available as needed throughout the work term. Team meetings will happen on a weekly basis, and ad hoc one on one meetings will occur both in-person and online.
Supervision Given
N/A
Minimum Qualifications
High School graduation, plus two year post-secondary diploma, plus four 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