PhD Trainee, SHAWNA

Student (JFG)

Job Category
Student Employee

Job Profile
Student Salaried – Graduate Research Asst

Job Title
PhD Trainee, SHAWNA

Department
Gender and Sexual Health Equity Research Program Division of Social Medicine Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range
$1.00 – $500,000.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date
October 10, 2022

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

Job End Date

Aug 31, 2023

JOB SUMMARY

The Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS: Longitudinal Women’s Needs Assessment (SHAWNA ) is a community-based research project focused on the experiences of cis and trans women living with HIV in accessing and navigating care, housing, social and legal supports throughout their lifetime. The project is committed to ‘GIPA/MEPA’ principles of greater and meaningful involvement and engagement of people living with HIV.  Working with the SHAWNA cohort project while being supervised by the Principal Investigator (PI), and also reporting to the PI, the PhD Trainee operates as a member of a multidisciplinary, collaborative research team.

The Trainee, working under the PI, Dr. Kathleen Deering, assists the research group in the implementation, execution and evaluation of research and research related activities, including literature reviews, data analysis and drafting of manuscripts for peer review. Assists with routine tasks in data collection, sampling, transcription, and analysis. Provides support with protocol submissions to Institutional Review Boards (IRB). We are seeking someone with expertise and interests in quantitative research methodological approaches, anti-oppression approaches and the application of trauma-informed principles in health care with marginalized populations.

We are seeking an applicants with a Master’s degree or acceptance into a PhD program in public health, health sciences, or a related discipline. Those with intermediate or advanced skills and interests in quantitative social epidemiology, community-based research, mixed-methods research, geographic mapping and spatial analysis methods, anti-oppression and the application of trauma-informed principles in health care are strongly encouraged to apply.

Ample opportunities for professional development, mentorship, academic and research leadership, publication, and applied knowledge translation will be provided through the CGSHE’s cutting edge trainee program, as well as through the interdisciplinary training environment in at multiple departments at UBC (e.g., School of Population and Public Health; Interdisciplinary Studies). This opportunity involves being part of a tight-knit team of interdisciplinary faculty, trainees and staff working in the areas of health equity, community-based research, social epidemiology, qualitative methods, and social justice research with sex workers, women living with HIV, im/migrant communities, and other marginalized populations.

FUNDING

Funding is dependent on awards secured. For PhD trainees, this generally involves a minimum funding package of $22,000 CAD/year, which may be based on a variety of sources (e.g., internal funding, Graduate Fellowships, TA-ships, or other types of awards). Applicants are expected to be competitive to and apply for external salary awards (e.g., Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Canadian Institutes of Health Research). Highly competitive trainees may be offered the option of additional support in the form of CGSHE top-up award.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

This UBC position/project working under UBC faculty leads would be based at the Centre for Gender & Sexual Equity (CGSHE), a UBC and SFU-affiliated academic research centre housed at Providence Health Care. The CGSHE has a strategic mandate of leadership in promoting gender equity and sexual health equity through in BC, Canada and globally. The CGSHE is a network of over 30+ UBC and SFU faculty, their UBC/SFU research teams, and affiliated trainees with shared mission and goals. We work in a highly collaborative team and strive to hire members from diverse backgrounds and lived experience. This interdisciplinary faculty and its educational programmes strive to improve the health of individuals and populations, partnering with local, national and global communities to further our goals: social justice and health equity for all.

WORK PERFORMED

• Conduct literature reviews, develop research questions towards a successful completion of PhD thesis/dissertation if applicable;
• Drafts, edits and reviews abstracts and manuscripts for peer review publication based on SHAWNA data;
• Presents results in meetings, conferences, and other settings where relevant/required;
• Provides critical feedback on questionnaire design and development where relevant/required;
• Meets with participants, community organizations and stakeholders to discussion key aspects of the study, including study design, question development and research results;
• Performs other duties, as required to support the work of the SHAWNA cohort research team, in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

The trainee will work at the CGSHE in a designated, appropriate workspace at the CGSHE’s head offices located at 1190 Hornby St., and may also work from the CGSHE’s Downtown Eastside community office (647 E Hastings St). The incumbent will work from home when this is mutually agreed on between supervisor and incumbent. Travel to meetings may be required from time to time.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under direct supervision in accordance with detailed oral or written instructions; routine duties are carried out under general supervision. Reports to the Principal Investigator.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None but may explain work sequences to others.

CONSEQUENCES OF ERROR/JUDGEMENT

This position entails a high level of confidentiality and discretion. Errors could result in significant concerns regarding the liability, credibility, and integrity of the Centre. Work may involve simple techniques and methods requiring knowledge and/or procedures that are readily acquired, requiring little judgment; the nature of work is routine and clearly defined; all problems are referred to supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree or acceptance into a PhD program in public health, health sciences, or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge and research experience in HIV, sexual health, substance use, public health, health services, housing systems or related research fields from a health equity lens;
• Intermediate or advanced skills and interests in quantitative social epidemiology, community-based research, mixed-methods research, geographic mapping and spatial analysis methods;
• Ability to conduct literature searches and synthesize findings.
• Experience in preparing peer-reviewed publications, reports, and communication materials;
• Excellent time management skills;
• Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and with diverse team members and stakeholders;
• Understanding of the effects of colonization in Canada and ongoing structural inequities;
• Experience working with marginalized populations in research activities;
• Excellent organization, implementation, and networking skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;
• An understanding of and sensitivity to diversity and inclusion issues;
• Knowledge of basic health research design and protocol development.
• Computer competency with Microsoft Office Software, Mendeley and/or related software.

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, or Indigenous person.

If interested, please email the following documents to Dr. Kathleen Deering (kathleen.deering@cgshe.ubc.ca ):

• a one-page statement of academic/research interests
• academic CV (e.g., Canadian Common CV)
• contact information for three academic references
• academic transcripts for the most recent degree completed/in progress

Deadline: Applications will start being reviewed until position is filled.

Note: Applications received without a cover letter will NOT be considered. Only candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted. The CGSHE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to GIPA/ MEPA principles.