Research Assistant/Tech 2 (Vallance)

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2

Job Title

Research Assistant/Tech 2 (Vallance)

Department

Vallance Laboratory | Department of Paediatrics | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$3,777.25 - $4,501.17 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

September 2, 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 position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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 Gut4Health initiative aims to establish a unique microbiome profiling core at the BC Children's Hospital. The core supports clinicians and researchers to examine the gut microbiome composition and function, and to help predict, prevent and treat diseases such as asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. The goal of the core includes supporting local microbiome-based studies and aiding in the development of new and safe microbiome-based therapies. Funding for the Gut4Health initiative derives from the generous donations of the mining community through the Mining for Miracles Program.

We are looking for a motivated and talented individual to join our team as a Research Technician. The successful candidate will possess prior laboratory experience. It is expected that the successful candidate will acquire specific technical skills underlying modern microbiome research, and be sufficiently skilled to perform such work with minimal supervision. The successful candidate will work closely with an interdisciplinary team to tackle cutting-edge challenges in microbiome science.

Organizational Status

The Research Technician reports directly to the project manager for Gut4Health, and liaises with other members of Gut4Health and Dr. Bruce Vallance's research group, including co-investigators, researchers, research assistants, post-doctoral fellows, students and staff.

Work Performed

• Maintains a detailed lab notebook
• In support of a senior staff member, participates in planning and conducting experiments, troubleshooting issues, and collecting, recording, analyzing, and interpreting experimental results
• Organizes laboratory and stock, maintains inventory and distributes supplies
• Prepares and/or maintains media, buffer, reagents, solutions, cultures and related material for routine laboratory use
• Tests, operates and maintain common laboratory equipment with minimal supervision
• Receives and prepares samples for microbiome analysis
• Maintaining lab protocol documents, aiding in presentation preparation, and delivering results during team meetings.
• Provides training to undergraduate students, as well as new and lower level technicians in the use of equipment, techniques and procedures.
• Operates facility instrumentation include a digital PCR system, lyophilizer and an anaerobic chamber following established SOPs

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The successful applicant will exercise a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility, and initiative in determining work procedures and methods, and coordinating the work of the unit.

The Gut4Health Microbiome core is 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

The successful applicant will work under general supervision, but exercises judgement in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion, new or unusual problems re referred to supervisor. Reports directly to the Project Manager for Gut4Health.

Supervision Given

May oversee and direct the work of one or two employees at lower classifications in which case the successful applicant is responsible for the accuracy, production, and control of the work unit.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to exercise sound judgement, responsibility, and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong computer skills required, including the ability to effectively use Microsoft Office, GraphPad and Prism. As well, strong attention to detail, as well as strong organizational, and interpersonal skills are necessary.
• Previous experience working with stool extraction and microbiome research is preferred
• Prior experience working in a laboratory environment is mandatory.
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks, adapt to changing priorities, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or graduation from a technical college or institute preferred
• Ability to work both independently and within a collaborative team environment.