Research Project Analyst

Staff - Non Union

Job Category: M&P - AAPS Job Profile: AAPS Hourly - Research and Facilitation, Level A Job Title: Research Project Analyst Department: Research Support | Jessri Research Group | Food, Nutrition and Health Program | Faculty of Land and Food Systems Compensation Range: $35.30 - $50.72 CAD Hourly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date: March 3, 2025

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

Job End Date: Aug 31, 2025

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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 Research Project Analyst collaborates with the Nutritional Epidemiology for Population Health Research Team within the Food, Nutrition, and Health Program. This role involves providing essential support to Dr. Mahsa Jessri's research endeavors by aiding in the organization and execution of a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the influence of child-targeted advertisements. The primary objective of this study is to inform potential future policy changes in child-targeted advertisements in Canada.

Organizational Status:
Works under direct supervision of Dr. Mahsa Jessri. Interacts regularly with students and collaborators of Dr. Jessri’s research group. Additionally, the candidate may liaise with external stakeholders such as academic collaborators, experts in the field of child psychology or advertising, and representatives from organizations involved in child advocacy or media regulation. Depending on the project's scope, the candidate may also collaborate with external partners from other research institutions or non-profit organizations, fostering collaborations to enhance the research outcomes.

Work Performed:

• Conducts a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the impact of child-targeted advertisements, involving project planning, strategy definition, and execution, as well as attending crucial meetings.
• Conducts thorough systematic searches across diverse databases to ensure comprehensive coverage of relevant literature.
• Screens search results meticulously to ascertain eligibility criteria and extract pertinent data from eligible studies.
• Performs rigorous quality appraisals utilizing standardized tools like NOS and HPFS to ensure the reliability and validity of the included studies.
• Undertakes complex statistical analyses, including mixed-effect models, to effectively synthesize and pool quantitative data.
• Prepares manuscripts for publication, crafting written reports for dissemination, and developing materials for conference presentations or other knowledge translation endeavors.
• Actively contributes to the professional development of students within Dr. Mahsa Jessri's research group by providing training in systematic review and meta-analysis methodology.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement:
The Research Project Analyst is responsible in all steps of this study including statistical analyses; however, the experimental plans are to be decided by Dr. Mahsa Jessri. Errors in data analysis and reporting would impact lab operations and the validity of research conducted in the lab and resulting reports and manuscripts. Errors in judgment or action could result in loss of funding and reflect poorly on the reputation of the PI, the Food, Nutrition & Health Program, the Faculty and the University in general. Furthermore, the effects of any errors could extend beyond these immediate consequences, potentially misinforming future policy changes.

Supervision Received:
Reports to and receives direct supervision from Dr. Mahsa Jessri.

Supervision Given:
In this role, the candidate will have the responsibility of mentoring a PhD student throughout the research process. They will determine priorities, assign tasks, and review the work performed by the student. This includes guiding the student in conducting literature searches, data extraction, data analysis, and contributing to the write-up of the review. The candidate will provide support and feedback to ensure methodological rigor and adherence to project objectives.

Minimum Qualifications:
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of 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:

• Preference for a PhD degree in a field such as health sciences or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in mentoring and guiding students or junior researchers, showcasing a high level of expertise and leadership in academic research.
• Research skills in nutritional epidemiology, for instance: a robust understanding of nutrition principles, advanced data analysis skills, knowledge of statistical methods specific to nutrition, and experience in drafting reports and scientific manuscripts for publication.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in conducting systematic literature reviews, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the principles and methodologies involved in systematically identifying, analyzing, and synthesizing relevant literature to address research questions. This expertise encompasses skills in developing search strategies, screening articles for eligibility, extracting data, and critically appraising study quality.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting meta-analyses and quantitatively pooling studies to derive meaningful conclusions and insights.
• Proficiency in utilizing sophisticated search techniques and tools in databases like PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for comprehensive literature retrieval.
• Exceptional ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Excellent skills in problem-solving.
• Demonstrated capability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Communication skills, both verbal and written, for effective collaboration and dissemination of research findings.
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office, internet usage, and email communication.