Job Description

Schedule
Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm

Education Level
3 year Community College diploma in a relevant field of study.

Career Level
Requires 2 years of relevant experience.










Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

JD #
JD01276



Pay Grade
6



Title:
Laboratory Technician and Administrative Assistant



Unit/Project Description:
For Department use only.

The McMaster Genomics Facility (MGF) in the Department of Medicine encompasses both the Farncombe Metagenomics Facility and the Mobix Lab. The MGF provides comprehensive genomics services to the research community, including multiple next-generation sequencing platforms (Illumina and PacBio), single-cell sequencing, Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis, NanoString, and a variety of nucleic acid assessment, shearing, and size selection instruments.
We are seeking a Laboratory Technician/Administrative Assistant who will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the MGF as part of a maternity leave coverage. The role includes a mix of administrative/financial tasks as well as some IT and laboratory duties:

• Purchasing, including liaising with vendors and making product/price comparisons
• Log and distribute products purchased daily through our IDT portal
• Inventory management and receiving
• Mailing and arrangements with couriers and customs/brokerage
• Service contract renewals and scheduling of instrument service/preventative maintenance
• Coordinating room bookings and internal work orders for maintenance/utilities/networking/cleaning as required
• Careful logging of consumable costs and effects on service pricing
• Monthly expense review and preparation for p-card reconciliation
• Monthly coordination of our billing database and report generation for all services
• Maintaining client billing details and credits
• Assistance with budget reviews and fiscal year wrap up
• Arranging room bookings
• Disposal of waste and recycling
• Equipment inventory and document management; removal of old equipment and secure disposal of IT waste
• Equipment maintenance (e.g. UPS batteries, freezer defrosting)
• Maintenance of safety equipment including eyewashes and showers; chemical inventory, MSDS and other safety documentation
• Coordination of chemical waste disposal
• Maintenance and troubleshooting of laboratory computers (Windows and Linux) and file systems
• Liaise with IT support for servers, data backups

The technician will also have opportunities to work with scientists in the lab, learning about- and operating the instruments in the facility and assisting with experiments depending on the demands of our project queue.



Job Summary:
Responsible for supporting laboratory experiments that are established and standardized under the direction of the immediate supervisor. Also responsible for providing administrative support for an academic program or department that requires a thorough understanding of established functions, policies, and procedures.



Purpose and Key Functions:

• Ensure student safety compliance during experimental procedures.
• Aid students with proper handling and use of equipment and reagents
• Conduct initial lab set-up in accordance with lab schedules and requirements.
• Perform routine trouble-shooting during the lab period.
• Update records of lab preparations and procedures.
• Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
• Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
• Inform supervisor of any defects or irregularities and take appropriate measures to rectify the situation.
• Responsible for keeping laboratory facilities, equipment, and area in clean, safe working order.
• Assemble and adjust tests and laboratory equipment for experiments and procedures.
• Operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments.
• Prepare a variety of chemicals, solutions, sterile media, staining reagents and other materials required for the lab.
• Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
• Responsible for the proper storage of materials and the appropriate disposal of waste.
• Adhere to standardized procedures and protocols when dispensing chemicals and base media.
• Respond independently to inquiries that are specific in nature and require a thorough knowledge of established policies and procedures.
• Coordinate student calendars and curriculum changes, timetabling, and the examination process.
• Provide program and admissions information to potential applicants, students and faculty.
• Inform faculty of established procedures for exam preparation and grade submissions. Ensure that proper procedures and deadlines are followed.
• Identify and work to resolve student timetable conflicts.
• Monitor student undergraduate registration and provide electronic permissions to allow students to enroll in courses.
• Collect, analyze, assess, and summarize information relevant to the decision-making process and develop recommendations for final approval and implementation.
• Identify external funding opportunities and identify candidates in the program who meet the criteria for these competitions.
• Plan and coordinate a variety of events and activities such as seminars, workshops, conferences, interviews, and tours for prospective students.
• Compile and provide program and admissions information to potential applicants, students and faculty.
• Assess and summarize the qualifications of eligible applicants and ensure that all applications are complete.
• Review, evaluate, and provide recommendations on applications to ensure students are eligible to transfer into, continue in, and graduate from the program.
• Inform faculty of established procedures for exam preparation and grade submissions. Ensure that proper procedures and deadlines are followed.
• Gather and compile data and documentation for a variety of reports, memos, and program activities.
• Gather, assemble and distribute documentation required for registration, admission, course material, grade appeals, student awards and scholarships, reinstatements, course overload and prerequisite permission, and transfer credits.
• Refer students to appropriate resources, information, and services across the University. Investigate questions and resolve problems concerning program, curricula, and admissions.
• Act as a resource to Associate Chair and faculty members on all matters related to undergraduate education, students, and issues.
• Advise and collaborate with the Associate Chair to devise alternatives for fulfilling graduation requirements.
• Advise students on graduation requirement alternatives or other methods for fulfilling graduation requirements.
• Update and maintain information and content on websites and social networks.
• Promote the program to visitors and representatives both internal and external to the University
• Review and editing a variety of academic program or department presentations.
• Write a variety of documents such as correspondence and reports.
• Maintain and update various spreadsheets and databases.
• Schedule and coordinate meetings including room bookings, and agendas.
• Set up and maintain filing systems, both electronic and hard copy.
• Maintain the confidentiality of student files and documents

Supervision:

• No formal supervision of others is required.
• Provide orientation and show procedures to others.

Requirements:

• 3 year Community College diploma in a relevant field of study.
• Requires 2 years of relevant experience

Assets:
For Department use only.

• Experience with sequencing, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and nucleic acid quantification will be an asset.
• Experience with purchasing and managing financial accounts, particularly in McMaster's Mosaic system, will be an asset.

Additional Information:
Candidates for this role will have demonstrated time management skills, able to multitask and prioritize their workload accordingly. They must have strong organizational skills, with exceptional attention to detail working with complex spreadsheets and databases. The successful hire will be a resourceful coordinator, providing administrative support for laboratory staff and liaising with financial support staff as our laboratory representative.





How To Apply




To apply for this job, please submit your application online.


Employment Equity Statement




McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information. Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.


Vaccination Policy Statement




The University is committed to providing and maintaining healthy and safe working and learning environments for all employees, students, volunteers and visitors. The University’s Vaccination Policy-COVID-19 Requirements for Employees and Students (the “Vaccination Policy”), requires all McMaster community members, including employees, accessing a McMaster campus or facility in person to be fully vaccinated or to have received an exemption from the University for a valid human rights ground. While the Policy will be currently paused, this Policy may resume quickly and on short notice, as informed by public health advice and direction. As a result, failure to achieve and maintain fully vaccinated status or an approved human rights-based exemption may result in termination of employment. This is a term and condition of employment. The University will continue to follow the guidance of public health organizations to define fully vaccinated status.