JOB FACT SHEET
POSITION INFORMATION
Position Number: 15396
Current Grade (if applicable): 6
Working Title: Research Assistant
Faculty/Department: Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
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FINANCIAL AUTHORIZATION:
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JOB FACT SHEET
1. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE LAST REVIEW
N/A
2. POSITION SUMMARY
The Research Assistant will be responsible for creating, improving and managing various research
databases, liaising with data analysts, compiling results and reports, providing updates to the PI,
performing other duties as required to support research studies and ensuring adherence to research
guidelines.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES/ACTIVITIES: Group activities into categories and list in point form each
duty performed until the major elements of the position are represented. Review each
statement to ensure that it accurately describes what is done and briefly, how it is done.
Please indicate the percentage of time spent on each of the major activities listed
The research project involves looking at historical patient charts in order to extract data to see if there
were potential signs of future illness that were not identified at the time. The project tries to define
more parameters to predict future illness in transplant patients.
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Uses excel to maintain several large databases - Transplant database (5000 transplants),
PTLD database (100 cases), Viral load database (10,000 samples per virus (BKV, CMV and
EBV))- for research projects
Enters both historical and present patient data and assists with data analysis and database
management
Conducts retrospective chart reviews of patients' historical medical records
Uses Excel to extract, manage and analyze datasets for research projects - relevant
information is extracted from large databases in order to tailor specific requests by
researchers. The researchers ask for only the specific information to be extracted relevant to
their specific investigations. Works with functions, tables, charts and formulas in Excel;
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) which is built into Microsoft Office Applications, to
automate and optimize Excel tasks; records or writes macros and VBA procedures; writes
scripts to automate repetitive tasks for data entry
Searches for, organizes, and stores samples (patient blood or plasma) needed for research
projects
Enters -80 DC freezers to find stored samples and then categorizes and label samples in
order to have them ready for analysis performed by lab techs
Uses statistical software (such as SPSS): statistical syntax to run descriptive statistics
(frequencies & cross tabulations) to create custom tables and charts, and run logistic
regression to generate tables and charts that indicate whether or not variables are
statistically significant
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Assists in the preparation of writing for methods section of manuscripts and papers. Writes
of methods section, outlining how data was gathered, analyzed, manipulated and compiled.
The PI reviews this section for accuracy and makes minor revisions and/or additions
 Records methods used in research projects - for each research project there is a research log
that keeps track of, provides an overview of and a progress journal of the many
simultaneous projects being worked on
 Assists in preparation, editing and formatting of applications for ethics review. Since the
research projects require human research participants, the Research Assistant completes the
first draft of the ethics application template. The PI will then make any necessary revisions or
additions and signs off on the application
 Conducts literature searches on databases such as Pubmed to provide the Research Assistant
and/or the PI background information on research projects and advancements in the project
relevant fields
 Provides technical support and troubleshooting to the PI for Windows applications
 Assists in the creation of PowerPoint presentations and posters - inserting data into
presentation, looking for relevant research on the internet, finding images to illustrate the
presentation, and coordinating large size printing of scientific posters for peer-reviewed
conference poster sessions
 Transcribes written records in patient charts in order to input the information into the digital
databases (Transplant, donors, PTLD, Viral load)
 Extremely vigilant with managing confidential health records
 Maintains security of all hardware and software to prevent possibilities of data loss or
confidentiality breaches - follows University security policies to encrypt all data on electronic
devices, such as laptops, desktops and USB drives, to prevent unauthorized access to private
information
 Provides administrative support to research projects - presenting findings to collaborators,
sharing findings, discussing future project needs, tackling problems as they arise, recording
meeting minutes, distributing meeting minutes to attendees, maintaining contact with all
research participants to liaison, facilitating communication and providing updates in
between meetings
About 90% of time is spent using Excel to manipulate large quantities of data; 10% administrative duties.
4. KNOWLEDGE: Identify the minimum formalized training/education and/or qualifications
required to prepare an individual to be functional in the position.
A High School Diploma or less with greater than 18 months to become functional in the role
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5. INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION: Describe the initiative required, the creativity and original
thought, and also the amount of direction and control received from the supervisor or standard
practices and precedents.
A. What types of decisions are made independently?
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Recognizing data quality issues by indicating which information is missing from certain periods
or from specific patients. Asking whether or not data can be obtained and whether it is
necessary. Troubleshooting discrepancies in databases
Using defined search words, determining which abstracts are relevant to current research
projects in the Unit
Provided research objectives and data needs, must determine how to meet these objectives
within often strict timeframes -look for requested data and compile it as requested by the PI
B. For what actions is it necessary to consult someone? Are approvals or instructions verbal or in
writing?
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Changes to the design or structure of the database
Consult with School of Public Health epidemiologists to discuss statistical database
analysis, design and operation
Results are sent to PI to determine if they are satisfactory and meet research needs
Consult PI regarding gaps in information in databases to discuss how to obtain missing
information
Consult with paediatricians and ProvLab physicians to obtain viral load Polymerase Chain
Reaction (PCR) data for management and input into the Viral Load Database
6. CONSEQUENCE OF ERRORS: Identify the extent of losses which result from mistakes in
judgment or poor decisions (typical instances, not rare or extreme ones), and the responsibility
for safety of others.
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Data entry errors or incorrect database maintenance could result in incorrect data analysis
Errors in transcription and data entry or analysis can jeopardize the research project, resulting in
loss of accuracy and potentially negatively impacting the development of guidelines
Errors associated with data entry and analysis could result in incorrect information being
published in peer-reviewed literature
Errors can setback the progress of research and cause timelines to be delayed or deadlines to be
missed
Errors can result in duplication of efforts
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7. CONTACTS: Identify the contacts and the purpose of the interaction.
A. Inside the University
Project PIs, pediatrics doctors, math professors and biostatisticians, School of Public Health
(Epidemiology), administrative staff to collaborate on the research project, sharing their individual skills
and expertise in their respective fields in order to better predict the risk of transplant patients
developing post-transplant related disorders in the future.
B. Outside the University
Provincial Lab staff (AHS), front-line clerical staff, technology orders for lab to obtain health records,
both recent and historical, in order to input data into the database that is analyzed by the
mathematicians and biostatisticians working at the University of Alberta.
C. Information Sources
Internet, Pubmed, PI, University of Alberta contacts, Provincial lab to remain current about
developments in post-transplant disorder research and protocols.
8. SUPERVISION: If this position is not required to supervise staff, please indicate “n/a”.
A. Describe all aspects of formal supervision required of this position. Please be sure to complete
Part B.
N/A
B. Please indicate how many staff members are supervised by the position.
9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Describe the degree, frequency, severity, intensity and continuity of
physical activity and/or intense visual concentration required.
A. Activities
Limited fatigue due to considerable, continuous visual concentration and extended periods of standing
or sitting
B. What types of equipment or tools are used in the job?
Lab equipment, computer, photocopier, telephone, other office equipment
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10. WORKING CONDITIONS: Describe the disagreeable aspects of the job environment in
relation to employee safety and comfort, and the severity and frequency of exposure to
workplace hazards.
Standard office environment
11. SIMILAR POSITIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA: Please list any position numbers,
titles, departments or incumbent names that may be considered to be similar.
12. ORGANIZATION CHART: An organization chart is mandatory for the evaluation process to
be completed. You may include this as a separate attachment or file may be pasted/
embedded below
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