Job Description

Position Overview

The Pharmaceutical Production Research Facility Lab in the Department of Bio-medical Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering invites applications for a Research Associate. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Pharmaceutical Production Research Facility (PPRF) Lab is a bioprocess engineering lab focusing on the scalable expansion of stem cells and their derivatives in bioreactors for regenerative medicine applications. We are a collaborative biomedical engineering group working closely with researchers in medicine, science, veterinary medicine and other branches of engineering.

The Research Associate will act in the role of lab manager on a day-to-day basis and will report to the Principal Investigator (PI) of the PPRF Lab.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Responsible, in consultation with the PI, for designing and executing experimental plans, leading research projects across a range of topics, data collection, coordinating academic meetings, and writing collaborative papers.
• Responsible for maintenance, operation and troubleshooting of various bioprocessing and cell culture infrastructure, as well as training students and research personnel on proper use
• Assist with monitoring research accounts, grant budgets and spending allocations
• Assist with grant writing and submission
• Responsible for management, maintenance, or control of a specialized area
• Responsible for presentations in producing figures for publication
• Produce initial drafts of manuscripts for publication and appropriate scientific journals
• Participate in the design and development of experiments and processes
• Recommend changes to methods, procedures, and practices within the lab
• Responsible for ordering as required
• Responsible for documenting and maintaining cell lines in the lab, including cell line integrity. (Routine mycoplasma screening, spontaneous y chromosome loss or single nucleotide variants in iPSC cell banks
• Responsible for laboratory safety, including SOPs, biosafety compliance, CHEMATIX, hazardous waste disposal
• Assist with summer student and graduate student recruitment and hiring

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelors required; MSc or PhD in relevant discipline preferred (science or engineering)
• Minimum 3 years of hands on technical experience and completion of post-secondary education in related discipline (science or engineering)
• 3 to 5 years of related technical experience within the research specialty field - bioprocessing and bioengineering
• Experience with stem cell culture
• Mammalian cell culturing, molecular biology techniques such as qPCR, flow, immunocytochemistry, microscopy
• Knowledge of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or modeling would be an asset
• Ability to perform detailed design, documentation, and implementation of moderately complex experimental designs
• Ability to provide technical support for other team members through advice on technical lab issues
• Direct and demonstrable research experience in the subject matter of the research project is essential
• Recommend change to processes or procedures
• Interact with other members of the team and undertake literature reviews
• Strong interpersonal skills, enthusiasm for collaborative research
• Must be open to learning and development, and be willing to accept new challenges and assignments.
• Understanding of safety codes and standards related to specialization
• Operate and maintain complex technical equipment
• Experience providing mentorship and supervision to junior researchers and students, including experience as a postsecondary instructor
• Success in securing external research funding
• Experience organizing academic seminars
• Administrative experience managing budgets and service agreements

Application Deadline: September 04, 2023

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our . For more information visit .

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada\'s leading next-generation university - a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation\'s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada\'s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit .

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide in line with the foundational goals of , committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

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Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities , and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

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