Job Description

Staff - Non Union
Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants
Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2
Job Title Teaching, Safety and Operation Assistant
Department Student Workers | Operations Support | Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Compensation Range $4,333.86 - $5,155.61 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date January 18, 2026
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date March 31, 2026
Please include cover letter with resume. This position is a P/T 60% term position (Mon-Wed) with possible extension.
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 assists the faculty technicians with teaching, safety and operational duties. The position supports faculty members, teaching assistants and students in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems under the general supervision of the faculty technicians. Responsibilities include preparing lab materials for undergraduate and graduate courses, setting up and cleaning up for lab sessions, helping students during their laboratory exercises as needed, demonstrating the proper operations of equipment, providing assistance with faculty safety initiatives such as training materials and records, safety data sheets updates in Quartzy, etc, as well as helping with operational duties as needed.
Organizational Status
Reports to the Education / Research Support Technician, providing teaching lab, equipment support, safety and operational assistance to faculty members and students. This position indirectly assists teaching assistants for the undergraduate labs.
Work Performed

• Prepares materials such as food samples, chemical solutions, microbiological media, and glassware required for teaching lab sessions.

• Assist with setting up and cleaning up for labs, including but not limited to, samples, supplies, reagents and equipment.

• Supports the use of complex equipment and techniques used in undergraduate teaching labs. This includes spectrophotometer, freeze-dryer, Kjeldahl, Leco, Goldfish extractor, Brookfield viscometer, TA.XT2 texture analyzer, aseptic technique, etc.

• Supports the proper disposal of chemical and microbiological materials at the teaching labs.

• Assists with periodic cleaning and general maintenance of supplies and equipment in working condition at the teaching lab.

• Assists with chemical inventory upkeep and safety data sheets updates in Quartzy.

• Helps with updating safety training materials and training records

• May provide additional support to faculty operational duties on an as needed basis.

• Performs other related tasks as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Works under the general supervision of the Faculty technician(s) in the areas of teaching laboratory operations, safety initiatives and faculty operations in the FNH and MacMillan Buildings. Incorrect lab set up would adversely affect teaching. Safety issues related to use of equipment and handling of materials must be adhered to avoid serious injuries. GLP (good laboratory practices) must be maintained since human food is produced in the pilot plant. Errors in judgment could result in a negative impact on the student learning experience, the programs and the faculty.
Supervision Received
Reports to the Education / Research Support Technician and receives
detailed instructions on the duties regularly.
Supervision Given
None.
Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two 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

• University degree in Food Science or related discipline (e.g., Biochemistry, Chemistry)

• Experience working in a research or teaching laboratory is an asset.

• Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Must be able to operate in a tight timeline and meet teaching needs

• Must be flexible and able to prioritize workload

• Must be attentive to details and be able to follow written protocols

• Ability to interact and communicate well with others.

• Ability to work independently and within a team environment

• Computer experience at an intermediate level - adept at learning new software/hardware.

Skills Required