Junior Tech/Research Assistant

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title

Junior Tech/Research Assistant

Department

Jacobson Laboratory | Department of Paediatrics | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$3,777.25 - $4,501.17 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

August 22, 2023

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

Job End Date

Aug 31, 2024

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

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.

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

The Jacobson and Vallance research groups are world leaders in the field of inflammatory bowel disease, gut host-microbe interactions, the relationship to the epithelial barrier and the impact of therapeutics and diet on modulating this relationship. We are looking for a motivated and talented individual to join our teams as a Research Technician. The successful candidate will work on contributing to our cutting-edge translational research projects and pre-clinical models to examine and develop new therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Specifically, the successful candidate will work with our clinical research team to help facilitate the collection of biopsies from pediatric patients undergoing ileocolonoscopy and with our basic science team on pre-clincial models (eg MUC deficient mice).

WORK PERFORMED

The successful candidates duties will include:

Preparation of organoid culture media and organoids

• Assists in the preparation and growing of organoids (human biopsies and mouse).
• Prepares and/or maintains media, buffer, reagents, solutions, cultures and related material for routine laboratory use and for organoid culture”.

Perform standardized assays to evaluate organoid function following standardized protocols

• Assists with conducting or running experiments or research work by performing specific assigned tasks, such as, administering forms or questionnaires and recording and/or coding data or observations and identifying and conducting routine experiments using standardized techniques (helps perform routine standardized assays to evaluate organoid functions with guidance from senior lab members).

Sets up, tests, operates and maintains common laboratory and other equipment

• Helps write reports, maintain lab protocol documents
• Operates, maintains and troubleshoots problems with standard equipment.
• Helps analyze data generated from the experiments
• Maintain a detailed lab notebook.

Present research results at research team meetings

The successful candidate will work with senior staff and trainees in growing and analyzing organoids (at baseline) and in response to various interventions (including dietary components eg fibre, short chain fatty acids, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, potential therapies eg prostaglandin E receptor subtype 4 agonists) using modern intestinal organoid techniques, performed under supervision.

This job offers the unique opportunity to acquire techniques in microbiology, mucosal immunology, epithelial cell biology and therapeutics.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

The Research Technician reports directly to Dr. Jacobson and Dr Vallance and liaises with other members of Dr. Jacobson and Vallance's research group, including co-investigators, researchers, research assistants, post-doctoral fellows, students and staff.

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR

Exercises a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility, and initiative in determining work procedures and methods, and coordinating the work of the unit.

Dr. Jacobson and Vallance laboratories are situated within the Childhood and Disease Theme of the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute. Errors made could compromise the results of research projects, and therefore impact the credibility of the Unit, Centre, Institute and individual Investigator(s).

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under direct supervision in accordance with detailed oral or written instructions; routine duties are carried out under general supervision.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

Not applicable

Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduation and a minimum one year of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

Preferred Qualifications

• As well, strong attention to detail, as well as strong organizational, and interpersonal skills are necessary.
• Previous experience working with mammalian cell culture and microbes is an asset
• Prior experience working in a laboratory environment is preferred
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, multi-task, and meet deadlines.