Research Associates

• Research Associate positions must be advertised in accordance with UBC’s faculty advertising guidelines. If the appointee is a not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, please see the recruiting foreign academics page.
• Advertising is not required for honorary research associates.

Available positions will be posted on UBC’s website. Please visit the faculty careers page for more information.

Every Research Associate must receive an offer letter, which must be signed by the Research Associate accepting the terms of the offer. Offer letters are important in verifying the verbal contract between the Research Associate and their department, as well as detailing expectations and commitments of both parties.

Foreign Research Associates are required to obtain a temporary work permit in order to be employed and perform work for UBC. Please review the recruiting foreign academics page, which outlines the steps involved and provides details on obtaining a temporary work permit and Social Insurance Number (SIN), and also provides information on what is expected after the foreign Research Associate arrives at UBC.

1. Research Associate appointments can be made one year at a time and can be renewed indefinitely. Please review our checklist for required documentation. In addition, please submit proof of advertising.

2. Honorary Research Associate appointments can be made for 10 years at a time and can be renewed. Please review our checklist for required documentation. If appointed with an end-date of June 30th, the appointment can be renewed through the annual renewal process that occurs every spring.

Salaries and benefits of Research Associates are paid from research grants or contracts. Starting salaries are negotiated between the new Research Associate and their department and will change as per the mandated increases approved by the Board of Governors.

Additionally salaries may also increase annually upon the anniversary of the hire date if the offer or reappointment letter contains language that specifically allows for a salary increase upon reappointment.

There is no salary scale for Research Associates but there is a minimum per annum salary required for full-time appointments which will be pro-rated for part-time appointments. Research Associates are eligible for salary increases under the provincial mandate.

Minimum salary & increases are as follows:

• May 1, 2019: $56,732 (1.0% GWI & 0.75% ESD)
• July 1, 2019: $57,867 (2% GWI)
• July 1, 2020: $59,024 (2% GWI)
• July 1, 2021: $60,205 (2% GWI)
• July 1, 2022: $62,692 (3.24% GWI + 0.25/hour)
• July 1, 2023: $66,924 (6.75% GWI)
• July 1, 2024: $68,932 (3% GWI)

A minimum salary is also required for benefit eligibility.

Research Associates may be eligible for pension and benefits. The normal eligibility requirements for pensions and benefits are:

• an appointment of at least 1 year in length
• a minimum 50% appointment
• must meet the minimum salary requirements for that position

Note that fellowship earnings do not attract pension and benefits.

For those Research Associates ineligible for pension and benefits, the Province of BC requires enrolment with the BC Medical Services Plan and we also recommend that you have private coverage where necessary.

Vacation entitlement is subject to negotiation with your supervisor but is at minimum 2 weeks per year with salary and benefits. Refer to the vacations page for full details.

Research Associates are eligible for the following types of leaves:

• sick leave;
• maternity, parental, and adoption leave;
• general leave (without salary): Possible up to a year at a time, but normally limited to a maximum of 2 years and must be authorized by Department Head and Dean.
• jury duty or court witness request; or
• compassionate care leave.

Get details about UBC's leaves and vacations. 

Research support is available through the Office of the Vice President Research.

The expense fund for Research Associates is administered by UBC Human Resources. Get information about learning opportunities.

Where a Research Associate is given formal teaching duties, a concurrent teaching appointment will be given.

The best way to handle a problem between a Research Associate and their supervisor is to identify it while it’s small and manageable, and collaborate on finding a solution. Unresolved problems may be brought in confidence to the attention of the Department Head. If an issue cannot be resolved by the Department Head, it may be brought in confidence to the attention of the Dean. Faculty Relations can also be contacted at any time for assistance.