Research Assistant 2 - Indigenous Voices in Radiotherapy Care Project
Remote + travel to BC Cancer study sites (as needed)
Provincial, BC
Pursuant to Section 42(3) of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants with Lived Experience as an Indigenous person to Canada (First Nations, Métis, or Inuk/Inuit). In alignment with a distinctions-based approach, applicants with ties to the local nations in BC will be essential to the success of this work.
We invite applicants to self-identify as Indigenous and to share a bit about their connection to the local nations in their cover letter and/or resume.
Summary
We are a multidisciplinary team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, program administrators, Knowledge Holders and clinical providers in cancer care. Together we are leading the Elevating Indigenous Voices in Radiotherapy Care project, which aims to co-develop actionable recommendations to improve radiotherapy service delivery by, with, and for FNIM Peoples in British Columbia.
This supports the implementation of the Elevating Indigenous Voices in Radiotherapy Care project by contributing to research design, data collection, and analysis. Will work closely with the Project Manager, Project Coordinators, Advisory Council, Knowledge Holders, and community partners to ensure that the research is grounded in Indigenous Research Methodologies, OCAP™ principles, and Nation-based protocols.
This role prioritizes mentorship, relational learning, and capacity-building. Will be supported to develop their research skills, participate in authorship, and contribute to community-facing knowledge translation.
Key Responsibilities:
Research Support
- Assist in conducting a scoping review on Indigenous Peoples’ access to radiotherapy services globally, summarizing barriers, strengths, and promising practices.
- Support development, administration, and analysis of provider surveys to explore cultural safety, anti-racism, and systemic challenges in radiotherapy care.
- Participate in the co-design of patient and provider sharing circle guides alongside the Advisory Council, Knowledge Holders, and Principal Investigators.
Data Collection and Analysis
- Attend and support sharing circles at participating BC Cancer sites, assisting with set-up, audio recording, note-taking, and participant support.
- Transcribe sharing circle discussions where appropriate, with guidance from Elders and the Advisory Council on cultural sensitivities.
- Support analysis using Indigenous Storywork approaches, ensuring stories are treated as teachings rather than decontextualized data.
- Collaborate with Knowledge Holders, Elders, and other team members to interpret findings in culturally grounded, relational ways.
Knowledge Translation and Dissemination
- Assist in developing community-facing knowledge translation (KT) materials, including infographics, visual storywork, and graphic recordings.
- Contribute to academic outputs, including manuscripts, conference presentations, and policy briefs, ensuring authorship reflects contributions.
- Support the organization of community gatherings where findings are returned to participants and Nations using culturally appropriate formats.
Team and Community Engagement
- Participate in fireside circles, grounding practices, and ceremonies as guided by Knowledge Holders and Elders.
- Build relationships with Advisory Council members, Elders, and community collaborators to ensure research priorities align with community needs.
- Actively contribute to discussions during core team meetings and Advisory Council gatherings.
Capacity-Building and Mentorship
- Receive mentorship from Principal Investigators, Advisory Council members, and Knowledge Holders throughout the project.
- Opportunities will be provided for co-authorship on manuscripts, presentations, and community-facing knowledge translation materials.
- Will be supported to deepen their understanding of Indigenous Research Methodologies, Nation-based governance, and distinctions-based approaches.
What you’ll do
- Perform a variety of established technical procedures according to written protocols.
- Perform experiments by following established laboratory procedures according to written protocols.
- Record results, including computer data entry. Provides input regarding modification of procedures as requested by the Department Head, Principal Investigator, or designate.
- Maintain and stores test materials, laboratory supplies, products and equipment.
- May demonstrate work methods or procedures to less experienced assistants as designated.
What you bring
Qualifications:
- A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to graduation from a recognized Bachelor’s program in an appropriate discipline (e.g. Bachelor of Science); plus two (2) years of recent related experience in a research laboratory.
- Preference for Indigenous students from First Nations, Métis, or Inuit communities; lived experience is strongly valued.
- Experience conducting literature reviews, supporting community-based research, or working alongside Indigenous communities is an asset.
- Familiarity with qualitative data collection methods, especially sharing circles, is preferred but not required — training will be provided.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer's contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
Core Competencies:
- Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
- Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments
Knowledge and Skills:
- Commitment to relational accountability, cultural safety, and strengths-based approaches.
- Strong writing, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams.
- Willingness to participate in ceremony and grounding practices as part of the research process.
You have:
- Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
- Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.
What we bring
Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.
- Being a part of a small team and playing a key role in implementing aspects of BC's first Indigenous Cancer Strategy.
- Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
- Access to professional development opportunities through our 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
- Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
- Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
- PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
- Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.
Job Type: Temporary, Part-time (0.53 FTE Until March 31, 2028)
Salary Range: $57,347 - $75,268/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: Remote Work & travel to BC Cancer study sites (as needed)
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Hours of Work: Monday- Friday;800-1230
Requisition Number: 195753E
What we do
BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.
The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.
Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services
PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at [email protected].
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.
Attention current employees of PHSA:
You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.
The internal job posting has expired, please e-mail [email protected] with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.
If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail [email protected] with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.
If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at [email protected].
