Job Description

Staff - Union
Job Category
CUPE 116
Job Profile
CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3
Job Title
Research Assistant/Technician 3
Department
Research I Tokuyama Laboratory I Department of Microbiology I Faculty of Science
Compensation Range
$4,757.00 - $5,187.00 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date
September 12, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
September 14, 2026
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 supports immunology and virology research in the Tokuyama lab at UBC. The research involves using mouse models and 3D-culture systems to investigate host-pathogen interactions and novel therapeutics and performing immunological assays to understand immune responses to infection. With the direction from the Principal Investigator (PI), the successful candidate will perform established immunological and virology assays on samples obtained from humans and mice and be responsible for developing and testing new immunological assays in the lab. The candidate will also contribute to other ongoing projects in the laboratory, assisting other experiments whenever necessary, and train other members on specific assays. The candidate will be expected to present their work both internally and externally and contribute to the development of manuscripts. These duties require technical skills in molecular systems, cell culture, cellular assays, spectral flow cytometry, sorting, next generation sequencing, imaging, in vivo mouse work, and scientific knowledge in immunology and virology. The technician will also be expected to contribute to inventory management, optimizing experimental procedures, and record keeping.



Organizational Status

The individual will report directly to the Dr. Tokuyama (PI) weekly. Will initially work under close supervision but is expected to work with minimal supervision once proficiency in the duties assigned has been established.



Work PerformedMaintaining 3D culture systems to study viral infection. Generate viral stocks for the lab. Optimize assays for assessing immune responses to infection. Assist others in experiments involving confocal microscopy. Performing in vivo experiments to assess host responses to viral pathogens. Contribute to experiments needed for manuscripts. Independently carry out defined experiments agreed upon by the PI, including protocol development and data analysis. Keep good records of their work on the lab drive. Assist with experiments for other members of the lab. This will be communicated by the PI and will be determined based on workload. Contribute to the orderliness and cleanliness of the lab spaces and the maintenance of general-use laboratory reagents and major equipment including the flow cytometer, tissue culture equipment, and molecular equipment in the lab. Present their ongoing work to the members of the lab and collaborators, as well as attend relevant scientific meetings.


Consequence of Error/Judgement

A high degree of organization, good judgment, integrity and attention to detail is required in making appropriate decisions. This is especially important for work in the CL3 facility. Work will be checked by the PI and discussed in weekly meetings, and as needed. Errors or inappropriate decisions will impact research progress (milestones). If the candidate is not meeting expectations or failing to perform tasks that are assigned, measures such as increasing frequency of meetings with the PI will be put in place to avoid such occurrences. If an error occurred, valuable reagents, research time, and money could be lost. BSL2 work with human specimens and viruses and CL3 work with viruses and animals require proper adherence to safe practices or may risk infection or harm to self and/or other lab members.



Supervision Received

Initially, all experiments and organizational tasks will be performed under the direct supervision of the PI, or other trained personnel. Written and/or verbal protocols for all procedures will be provided. Once familiar with the techniques and procedures, supervision will continue based on needs.



Supervision Given

We are looking for an independent and self-motivated individual with a thorough knowledge of best laboratory practices. Moreover, as the successful applicant becomes familiar with new protocols and procedures, they will be asked to transfer this knowledge to new team members and to assist in their instruction.



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's own Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications
BSc in Virology, Immunology, or similar discipline preferred. Minimum two years of experience operating in a research laboratory is required. Prior work experience in virology and immunological assays such as viral infection, viral propagation, tittering, 3D cultures, flow cytometry, cell sorting, ELISA, cellular assays and mouse work are strongly recommended. Should be comfortable with spreadsheets, word processing, grant and report writing and manifest a demonstrated ability to organize and complete assignments without ongoing direction. Good interpersonal and practical laboratory skills and ability to calculate molarities for chemical solutions required. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to attend departmental seminars and will fully participate in project team meetings including associated journal discussion group. This includes presentation and discussion of experimental results generated by the applicant and published work described in the scientific literature. Must be able to follow and carry out instructions from PI. Must be able to carry out responsibilities independently. Interest and enthusiasm for scientific research is needed to carry out the research projects in the lab.