Careers

Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute has over 2,400 personnel engaged in research in a large variety of disease areas, clinical settings and research laboratories. Clinical research, laboratory and basic science extend across many health disciplines with VCH, and there is no shortage of opportunities for new and established researchers, trainees and staff.

We also welcome graduate students, medical students, health professional students, residents, clinical fellows and postdoctoral fellows to VCHRI – your work is vital to helping us achieve our vision of healthier lives through discovery.​

Current opportunities

Director of Research, BC Centre for Substance Use (BCCSU)

The Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Providence Research (PR), and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) invite applications for the position of Director of Research, BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU), for a five-year term with the possibility of renewal. The BCCSU is a provincial, UBC-affiliated research centre housed within Providence Health Care and affiliated with both PR and VCHRI, providing leadership in substance use and addiction research, education, and evidence-based clinical care across British Columbia. Reporting jointly to the Vice Dean, Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine, the Associate Dean, Research at Providence Health Care Research Institute (PHCRI), the Associate Dean, Research at VCHRI, and with a reporting relationship to the Executive Director, BCCSU, the Director of Research will lead and implement the Centre’s research strategy, advance interdisciplinary research, support investigators and research scientists, foster strategic partnerships, oversee grants, research contracts and compliance activities, pursue fundraising opportunities, and contribute to relevant UBC Faculty of Medicine research committees.

Contracts and Budgets Specialist

This position supports the VCHRI Office of Clinical Trials Administration by providing contract interpretation, negotiation, and guidance to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for human subject research. Working closely with internal teams and external partners, including UBC, industry sponsors, CROs, and academic institutions, the specialist facilitates timely review and negotiation of clinical research agreements and budgets and supports the effective delivery of clinical trials initiatives. The position operates within a collaborative team environment with a high degree of autonomy under VCHRI Senior Leadership.

Research Assistant, Clinical Research Unit
This position supports clinical trial recruitment and enrolment within the VCHRI Clinical Research Unit, contributing to industry-sponsored, grant-funded, and investigator-initiated studies. It involves working with confidential information under strict protocols, conducting study visits and routine clinical and laboratory tasks, and preparing materials for testing. The role reports to the Director of the VCHRI CRU, with day-to-day direction from the Research Facilitator, and operates within a collaborative environment engaging clinicians, researchers, study teams, sponsors, auditors, students, volunteers, and study participants across the hospital setting.