Research Exercise Instructor & Research Assistant

Location: UBC Vancouver Campus - Vancouver, BC, Canada

Job TitleResearch Exercise Instructor & Research Assistant

Job CategoryNon Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job ProfileNon Union Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Family GroupStaff - Non Union

DepartmentLiu-Ambrose Laboratory | Department of Physical Therapy | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range$28.29 - $33.66 CAD Hourly

Job End DateOctober 31, 2027

Posting End DateDecember 3, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

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

To assist in and carrying out activities to support grant-funded research. Under the direct supervision of Dr. Liu-Ambrose, delivers or assist group-based exercise programs to research participants out of a research facility, located at the Vancouver General Hospital campus. Will also facilitate research by assisting with data collection, data entry, and study recruitment. The Aging, Mobility, Cognitive Health Research Program functions under the umbrella of the Department of Physical Therapy, the Djavad Mowifaghian Centre for Brain Health, and the Centre for Aging SMART at Vancouver Coastal Health. Candidate will also provide health coaching to promote physical activity among research participants. Under the supervision of research coordinators, the candidate will assist with data collection, data entry, and data checking and report to Teresa Liu-Ambrose on a weekly basis.

Organizational Status

Reports directly and daily to the Lab Research Coordinator and Lead Exercise Instructor and weekly to program Director (Teresa Liu-Ambrose)

Working Relationship

The FULL-TIME position will work directly and report to the Faculty member who is mounting the study. This will involve working with developed systems and procedures, following direction from the Research Coordinator and Director of the research program (will not be working independently, will be working as a part of a team, under direction).

Work Performed

1) Lead or assist in delivery of experimental interventions according to protocol. Ensure safety and wellbeing of participants throughout the intervention delivery. Specifically,

Teaching exercises to individuals and groups, following set protocols; this may be done in person or via online platforms via Zoom

Monitor participants before, during, and immediately after classes to ensure their safety

Document and report all possible adverse events observed during classes

Initiate and follow emergency protocol when required

Assures established lab safety protocols and safety procedures are followed

Keeping records of all participants' attendance and progression. Such records must be kept up to date and include all information instructed by Program Director

Providing motivation and feedback to research participants

Be able to provide in person class instruction time before or after usual work hours of 9-5 pm

Attending all mandatory lab meetings and maintain ongoing communication regarding the status of participants and classes

Communicating in a pleasant, courteous manner and giving responsive service to all participants

Keeping informed of the Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Health, VCHRI, and UBC policies and procedures and enforcement thereof

2) Provide health coaching sessions to promote physical activity to research participants. Specifically:

Use principles of Brief Action Plan

Deliver the sessions according to protocol and schedule; sessions can be delivered in person or by phone/virtual

Document and record each session as instructed.

3) Collect data according to protocol and enter data with minimal error with direct supervision from the Director/Coordinator using preset forms and databases.

4) Liaises with research participants to develop relationships that is positive and informative

5) Assist in coordination of studies, including scheduling of assessments as well as recruitment

6) Performs other related duties as assigned

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This is a position of trust as it delivers programs to older adults from the community at large who consented and volunteered for research. Errors could result in personal injury, injury and adverse events for participants, financial loss as well as in damage to the reputation of the Department of Physical Therapy, Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Heath Research Program, and the University of British Columbia.

Inappropriate judgement and noncompliance to standard protocols would greatly compromise the quality of research studies and related data acquisition and the reporting of research outcomes.

Inappropriate judgement and noncompliance to standard protocols also could compromise the safety and wellbeing of the participants.

Inappropriate judgement and noncompliance to standard protocols would compromise research success and affect the credibility of the Principal Investigator and the research program.

Supervision Received

Works independently in direct consultation with the Director of the research program on a regular basis

Supervision Given

Responsible for contributing to ensuring a safe environment for research participants during the delivery of behaviour interventions (e.g., exercise classes) and during assessments.

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 skill