Job Description

Staff - Union

Job Category CUPE 116

Job Profile CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title Research Assistant/Technician

Department Research I King I Department of Microbiology I Faculty of Science

Compensation Range $4,618.00 - $5,036.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date December 4, 2023

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

Job End Date Jun 30, 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.

Job Summary

This position is fully grant funded and is involved in the maintenance of a diversity of host-microbial pathogen systems from diverse locations throughout Canada and globally as part of a multi-million dollar Canada Excellence Research Chair project focused on studying the evolutionary dynamics of host-pathogen interactions at UBC. With direction from the Principal Investigator, the successful candidate will assist in assays of bacterial virulence towards nematode and plant hosts, inventory management, experimental procedures, and record keeping. They will perform research projects following established protocols related to bacterial virulence screening assays using risk group 2 (RG2) bacteria in host-pathogen systems. These require technical skills in molecular microbiological systems, molecular cloning, bio-imaging assays, and scientific knowledge in microbiology, microbial signalling, and genetics.

Will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the King Lab spaces, including maintaining laboratory supplies and equipment.

Will be responsible for the cleanliness of the microbiological and microscope rooms and the preparation and upkeep of general-use laboratory reagents.

Will produce reports of team member projects/contributions and maintain accounts.

Organizational Status

The individual will report directly to the Principal Investigator (Dr. King) 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 Performed

Establishing and maintaining microbial host-pathogen systems (involving plants, nematodes, bacteria) and performing studies in pathogenicity, constructing and testing bacterial mutants in vitro and in vivo, and training lab members in these techniques. All techniques to be performed by defined protocols and will directly relate to ongoing research in the lab. Performing bacterial virulence screening assays involve risk group 2 (RG2) bacteria using established protocols approved by the UBC Biosafety Committee. All techniques to be performed by defined protocols.

Bioimaging will directly relate to ongoing research in the lab using the fluorescent screening system in the King Lab.

Lab supplies: Assist in ordering; keeping track of supply inventory; unpacking lab supplies and putting them in proper places.

Record keeping: Using computer to help maintain chemical, virus, bacteria, and nematode inventories, as well as records of financial expenditures and team member participation.

Lab maintenance and organization: Responsible for the set-up, care, and maintenance of microbiological and worm lab; maintains cleaning (biosafety hoods, incubators, water baths) and scheduling microscope room use. Ensure that basic safety standards are upheld in the lab.

Weekly report: Responsible for providing to the Principal Investigator a weekly report that underlines the experiments performed, the results obtained and their analysis. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Work will be checked by the Principal Investigator and discussed in weekly meetings, and as needed. Errors or inappropriate decisions will primarily impact research progress (milestones), and measures such as frequent meetings with the faculty member to avoid such occurrences will be taken. If an error occurred, valuable reagents, research time, and money could be lost. BSL2 and chemical hazards requires 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, immediate supervision will decline, unless requested or required.

Supervision Given

None expected. 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 incoming 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\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

M. Sc. in Biology or Microbiology preferred. Minimum five years of experience operating in a research laboratory required. 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. Expertise required in microbiology culture and practices, including in the use of bacteria and Caenorhabditis elegans. Additionally, demonstrated experience and experience in molecular microbiology and genetics, including cloning and making mutants in RG2 pathogens, and assay development is preferred. 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 Principal Investigator. Must be able to carry out responsibilities independently. Interest and enthusiasm for scientific research.

University of British Columbia