role descriptions

These high-level definitions highlight the strengths and contributions of each role, demonstrating how they collectively create a cohesive and supportive lab. Please note: definitions may vary across research projects or contracts within the Equity Science Lab.

Co-Director: We, as lab Co-Directors, provide visionary leadership and strategic direction, set the lab’s vision, values, and areas of focus, cultivate a supportive mentorship environment and provide direct supervision, foster collaborations with partner organizations and communities, and liaise with UBC and external funders to advocate for resources for the lab. We are responsible for securing and holding funding, and therefore assume oversight and accountability for all lab operations. 

Senior Research Scientists are independent researchers who hold advanced graduate degrees, bringing subject matter expertise, methodological experience, and advanced research skills. They collaborate with us to design, supervise, and conduct research activities that advance the lab’s vision, values, and areas of focus. Senior Research Scientists play active leadership roles in multiple projects, contributing to all stages of the study from design to knowledge mobilization, and they hold responsibility for supervision and mentorship of other lab members.  

Research Scientists are independent researchers who hold advanced graduate degrees, bringing subject matter expertise, methodological experience, and advanced research skills. They collaborate with us and with Senior Research Scientists to design and conduct research that advances the lab’s vision, values, and areas of focus. Research Scientists play active roles in one or more projects and may contribute to all stages of the study, from design to knowledge mobilization. As relevant, Research Scientists may benefit from mentorship from us, Senior Research Scientists, and/ or Community Scholars.  

Community Scholars are individuals from community or practice settings who contribute valuable lived/living experience, community knowledge and networks, and/ or cultural understandings to drive forward transformative change. Community Scholars actively participate in research conceptualization, partnership development, study design, analysis and interpretation, knowledge mobilization, etc. Their meaningful involvement throughout all activities ensures research is relevant and responsive to community/knowledge user needs. Principles of equity guide how Community Scholars are recognized, credited, and compensated for their contributions. They may also be granted access to university resources (e.g. Campus-Wide Login [CWL], email account, library services) as needed in order to maximize effective participation in the Equity Science Lab. 

Visiting Scholars/ Scholars in Residence are experienced researchers who temporarily join the lab (e.g., during a 1-year sabbatical), typically from another academic institution or research institute. They contribute their diverse perspectives and expertise to ongoing projects and lab activities while maintaining their own independent research portfolio. They work closely with us to advance the lab’s vision, values, and areas of focus, as well as to leverage future collaborations. 

Postdoctoral Fellows hold a recently completed doctoral degree (within 5 years, with exceptions for career interruptions) and work with the lab to expand their research portfolio, skill set, publication record and academic career opportunities through further experience as independent researchers. They bring specialized knowledge and leadership in their area(s) of expertise, and actively engage in the lab through research, knowledge translation/ dissemination, teaching, and/or supervisory activities. They work under our supervision to advance the lab’s vision, values, and areas of focus, and leverage future opportunities for themselves and for the lab.

Graduate Fellows are Master’s or Doctoral trainees who are conducting research within the lab as part of their graduate studies. Their graduate thesis work may be associated with one or more ongoing projects within the lab. Graduate Fellows will be assigned research and coordination tasks and offered highly specialized training opportunities that advance their own studies and thesis work, while simultaneously supporting the overall goals of the lab and the research project they are participating in. They will also be invited to participate in research activities which are beyond the scope of their focused thesis work, but which they may find to be relevant to their overall learning experiences and career development. Graduate Fellows benefit from the direct supervision and mentorship of us, Senior Research Scientists/Research Scientists, and/or Community Scholars.

Lab Managers contribute their organizational and technical skills to support research endeavors of the lab. They oversee and facilitate day-to-day operations, coordinate across research projects, manage administrative tasks, support budgeting and grant administration, and ensure compliance with ethical, financial, HR, and institutional guidelines. The Lab Manager facilitates communication among lab members, supports community/stakeholder engagement efforts, facilitates collaboration with partner organizations, and supports coordinating and implementing peer mentorship activities. 

Research Coordinators are hired to support administrative tasks and logistics associated with operating one or more projects. They play a central role in facilitating effective communication across and between team members, collaborators, communities, partner organizations, stakeholders, knowledge users, ethics boards, funders, etc. Research Coordinators work closely with all parties to ensure the smooth execution of all research activities, including data collection, analysis, dissemination, and knowledge mobilization— as appropriate and able. 

Research Assistants are hired to support activities within one or more projects or across the lab. They assist with tasks such as literature reviews, participant recruitment, data collection, data entry, transcription, analysis, knowledge translation and mobilization, and community engagement activities. Research Assistants work under the supervision and guidance of more senior lab members. 

Administrative Assistants support us and the Lab Manager by performing essential administrative tasks such as managing correspondence, scheduling meetings, organizing events, coordinating travel arrangements, updating CVs, and assisting with expense reports/Workday tasks. They play a key role in creating an efficient and organized research environment, allowing lab members to focus on research, knowledge translation, and community engagement activities.  

Summer Students/Visiting International Research Students join the Equity Science Lab for a defined period of time (typically one semester) to gain research experience during their studies, bring fresh perspectives, and contribute to the lab's productivity. They perform tasks suitable to their level of training and appropriate for the scope and duration of their contract; see ‘Research Assistant’ for examples of tasks. They work under the supervision and guidance of more senior lab members. 

Collaborators represent a network of partnerships, including health authorities, research institutes, Indigenous organizations and collectives, community-based centres, advocacy groups, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, etc. They facilitate relationship building and stakeholder engagement and guide knowledge mobilization for knowledge users. Collaborators typically have full-time positions outside of research, and therefore are strategically engaged in research activities in a less involved capacity than Community Scholars, and may have arrangements with their employers to support their participation (e.g. partial buyouts, commitments of time, access to institutional resources).