Job Description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title Research Assistant/Tech 3 (Schultz Lab)

Department Schultz Laboratory | Department of Paediatrics | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range $3,982.67 - $4,703.83 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date February 7, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date Feb 28, 2024

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.

This position is located within a health-care facility, therefore, the successful candidate will be required to provide verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by a provincial health mandate.

This offer is conditional upon successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.

JOB SUMMARY
This position requires substantial lab experience with basic molecular biology, animal work, biochemistry and cell biology including, but not limited to blood sample processing and cryopreservation, cell immunophenotyping, cell culture, different PCR methods, and ELISA techniques. Those who have hands-on experience with basic animal work (mice) will be given preference.

The routine lab work will include the following:

• Human blood sample processing and cryopreservation
• Assembling and shipping blood collection/shipping kits
• Working with cell / tissue culture
• Preforming flow cytometry and analysis
• Carrying out molecular and cell biology work, such as PCR, DNA/RNA isolation, ELISA and other assays as instructed
• Conducting a variety of experimental work per instructions given
• Maintaining complete and accurate records of experimental work, cryorepository & inventories
• Assisting in the validation of laboratory methods and procedures
• Performing quality control procedures on analytical tests, reagents and equipment
• Training new employees and trainees on lab procedures and the use of equipment
• Carrying out animal work on mice \xe2\x80\x93 experimental procedures, injections, husbandry, colony breeding, health monitoring and colony management
• Creating animal care protocol submissions and ensuring protocol approvals
• Drafting standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Ordering and purchasing lab supplies and services, processing invoices and making payments, creating and submitting expense reports
• Preparing documents, including correspondence, notices, reports, abstracts, posters, presentations
• Participating in meetings and taking minutes as required
• Assisting in manuscript preparation and grant writing
• Other duties as required

Additionally, some routine laboratory maintenance, as well as some administrative tasks such as ordering, shipments, shipment tracking, contacting couriers will be performed.

The candidate should also be willing to exercise a flexible schedule in the event that some weekends, statuary holidays, or late hours work is required. Adhering to all regulatory, institutional, and departmental policies to ensure workplace compliance is mandatory. Candidate will be hired for one year (upon successful performance evaluation at 3 months of employment) with the possibility of annual renewal while funds allow.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS
The individual will report to the Clinical Research & Lab Manager and work closely with the assigned lab personnel.

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR
Under initial supervision the candidate will perform a specific set of tasks according to protocol. Failure to do so with due diligence would compromise precious patient samples that require a large number of resources to prepare, store and analyze.
The candidate must be able to follow scientific protocol with precision and accuracy as samples originate from human subjects, are limited and much trouble to procure.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
The research assistant will report primarily to the lab coordinator and the Clinical Research & Lab Manager, but also the Principal Investigator. It is expected that the research assistant be able to work independently and be proactive in identifying challenges to the progress of the project.

SUPERVISION GIVEN
No supervision is exercised.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one\xe2\x80\x99s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one\xe2\x80\x99s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or graduation from a technical college or institute preferred. BSc or MSc degree in either clinical lab science / medical technology, biochemistry, immunology, or a related field is preferred. Minimum of 2 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience working in a biology lab. Experience in flow cytometry is preferred. High degree of computer literacy with ability to use Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others). Superior organizational and time management skills. Effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work both independently and within a team environment. Meticulous attention to detail, with the ability to multitask and work quickly and accurately. Ability to exercise tact and discretion when handling sensitive and/or confidential matters.

The new employee must be responsible, highly motivated and have strong background in cell biological methods to work effectively. Since the work in this lab involves the handling of human blood, the individual will be immunized against hepatitis B, tetanus and have received all regular childhood vaccines. The individual should be able to work as part of a collaborative team to achieve experimental goals, and must be willing to learn new techniques. Applicant should be flexible to work on the occasional weekends, statuary holidays, or after hours if some special circumstances arise. The individual should be able to perform routine scientific tasks without supervision. Good proficiency with the English language is required.