Job Description

Staff - Union
Job Category
BCGEU Okanagan Support Staff
Job Profile
BCGEU OK Hourly - Research Assistant and Technician I
Job Title
Research Assistant Tech I - Barker
Department
UBCO | Research Support Barker | Department of Biology | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science
Compensation Range
$26.10 - $29.93 CAD Hourly
Posting End Date
January 15, 2026
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
February 1, 2027

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
JOB SUMMARY:
This position works with and assists the Principal Investigators in the research lab. The responsibilities cover a range of tasks that will vary according to the time of the year, projects under way, and the needs of the Principal Investigators.

Over 200 commercial antibody manufacturers have brought over 1.6 million antibodies targeting human proteins to market. However, work from our group and others has revealed that depending upon the application, up to 60% of antibodies available commercially do not work as recommended by manufacturers. To address this problem, we and colleagues at McGill University have created two UBC antibody characterization cores (UBC-ACC and McGill-ACC) that use a rigorous antibody validation strategy to systematically evaluate commercially available antibodies. The major antibody suppliers recognize that there is a crucial need for an unbiased antibody testing platform and are collaborating with us on this effort.

Working under the supervision of the UBC-ACC platform manager, this position will be responsible for contributing to antibody characterization studies focused on protein targets relevant to cancer biology.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS:
This position will be supervised by Dr. Phil Barker and the UBC-ACC Platform Manager.

WORK PERFORMED:Maintain rigorous records and databases Perform antibody characterization studies using established protocols (Western blot, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence) Perform cell culture Develop and optimize protocols for new antibody-based applications Compile data, prepare data figures, and contribute to antibody characterization reports Ordering, inventorying, and storing supplies Lab organizational and cleaning duties Other duties as assigned

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR/IMPACT OF DECISIONS:
This project has involvement from numerous stakeholders who are expecting the UBC-ACC to deliver rigorous antibody validation studies that will affect stakeholder project decisions, budgets, and impact the quality of future research. Errors in the management and delivery of the UBC-ACC will negatively affect financial and operational decisions of our stakeholders and severely compromise our legitimacy as a trusted validation platform. This will imperil the ability of the UBC-ACC to garner funds and thwart platform sustainability efforts.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:
This position may provide assignments to and direction to technical support staff.
This position may supervise and train colleague employees, graduate students.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work will be performed in a Biosafety Lab performing antibody-based research.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSHigh school graduation and a minimum one year of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSTraining in biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular biology or a related field Expertise demonstrated in skills relevant to antibody characterization (Western blot, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence) Experience with antibody-based research Strong organization skills, attention to detail and priority setting skills Able to adapt to task changes within an evolving project Ability to work autonomously in a complex, changing, deadline-oriented environment Strong oral communication and writing skills (both English and French) Experience with cell culture Able to adapt to changing priorities Ability to work in a complex, deadline-oriented environment Meticulous, demonstrated attention to detail * Demonstrated ability to build active working relationships with multiple partners and collaborators