Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Research, Communications and Events Assistant

Department

CSDI Student Support | School of Public Policy and Global Affairs

Compensation Range

$4,757.00 - $5,187.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

May 20, 2026

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

Job End Date

August 31, 2026

This is a part-time, term position at 20% FTE (7.5 hours per week) and salary indicated above will be prorated accordingly.

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 coordinate and facilitate research activities and knowledge dissemination for ongoing research activities within the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions (CSDI). The Research Communications, and Events Assistant will report jointly to Professor Heidi Tworek and Dr. Chris Tenove, and will be expected to collaborate actively with other members of the research team including student employees, collaborating faculty members, and postdoctoral research fellows.

Major responsibilities include training and collaboration with incoming student employees, administration of social media accounts and online presence for CSDI, and conducting research activities on projects relevant to CSDI, including written report and analysis.

Organizational Status
The position reports to Professor Heidi Tworek and Dr. Chris Tenove. Work in close collaboration with other CSDI team members.

Work Performed

• Administers onboarding and training of incoming undergraduate and graduate student employees performing research and administrative tasks for the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions (CSDI).

• Assists CSDI leadership with project management activities. Monitor project reporting requirements, timelines, and prioritizes activities for the Centre.

• Creates, edit, and post social media communications for CSDI.

• In collaboration with the Director, CSDI develops and implement project work plans for special initiatives, ensuring project goals and timelines are met.

• Oversees the progress of the project; assigns and organizes research initiatives for individual researcher/RAs to undertake

• Coordinates the dissemination of novel research and policy reports produced by CSDI, including report review, and the generation, editing, and distribution of written media content, including social media posts.

• Conducts literature review and case studies on the Climate Disinformation project, and write these up for reports.

• Researches the regulation of social media in elections in the Philippines and other countries. Delivers written report of analysis and key findings.

• Contributes to research, writing and editing of research products within CSDI, including ongoing reports on AI in Politics, Climate Disinformation project, and other projects and initiatives as areas of focus evolve.

• Develops, edits, and implements CSDI standards document for the design and editing of knowledge mobilization products.

• Organizes and coordinates training workshops, conferences, and seminars to support ongoing CSDI research and initiatives.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Research Communications, and Events Assistant is expected to work independently within the scope of this role, under the general guidance of Dr. Heidi Tworek and Dr. Chris Tenove. Inappropriate judgment could impact the team’s capacity to achieve deliverables, and to achieve timely and accurate research outputs. This role is expected to demonstrate strong judgement when creating public-facing deliverables such as social media posts, and errors or poor judgement could result in reputational damage to CSDI and more broadly, the University of British Columbia. Error in judgment may also result in difficult working relationships with members of the broader research team.

Supervision Received

This position works under general direction of Dr. Heidi Tworek and Dr. Chris Tenove.

Supervision Given

This position is expected to provide general leadership and training to new, incoming student employees. This position does not formally supervise these roles, and incumbent is expected to work largely independently within CSDI team.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three 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

• Graduate degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Sociology, or another relevant discipline, coupled with exposure to relevant research.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with focus on social science research output
• Significant knowledge of digital technology policy
• Demonstrated ability in translating technical information for a non-expert audience.
• Demonstrated ability in cross-cultural communication and international collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability in grant writing, budgeting and reporting.

Equity and Diversity:

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters 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. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. If two candidates are of equal merit, Canadian law requires that Canadians and permanent residents of Canada be given priority.

About Us

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

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, and/or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.