Research Assistant/Technician 4, United Therapeutics

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4

Job Title

Research Assistant/Technician 4, United Therapeutics

Department

Yachie Laboratory | School of Biomedical Engineering | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$4,558.75 - $5,354.67 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

October 11, 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

A few positions for the project may be located within a health-care facility, therefore, the successful candidates 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 School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, BC, Canada invites applications for Research Assistant/Technician 4 positions to work on a team-based project spanning pluripotent stem cells, lung differentiation, and genomics in the de Boer (https://deboer.bme.ubc.ca/), Shakiba (https://shakiba.bme.ubc.ca/), Yachie (https://yachie-lab.org/), Zandstra (https://www.stemcellbioengineering.ca/), and Lynn (https://www.lynnlab.com/) labs.

The project is in collaboration with United Therapeutics and seeks to enable the robust, large-scale production of lung cells from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The project involves the use of single-cell RNA-seq, DNA barcoding, reprogramming, and lung cell differentiation.

The Faculties of Medicine and Applied Science have partnered to create the SBME, a new flagship entity at UBC, and a top strategic priority for the University and both Faculties. The SBME is a nucleus for education and training, research, and innovation in biomedical engineering, creating new knowledge, new academic and training programs, and fostering translation and innovation. UBC SBME distinguishes itself by deep training in biology, and engineering science and design, enabling SBME researchers to address the most pressing biomedical challenges of the day. Our SBME faculty conduct research that advances our fundamental understanding of human biology, and yields technologies and therapies that advance our health and wellbeing.

Organizational Status

Individuals will report to one or more of Drs. Nika Shakiba, Dr. Carl de Boer, Dr. Nozomu Yachie, Dr. Francis Lynn, or Dr. Peter Zandstra, but will work collaboratively with teams across these labs regardless.

Work Performed

Successful candidates will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with the members of the laboratories involved in this project, integrating cutting-edge stem cell, bioinformatics and synthetic biology techniques.

• Derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells through reprogramming of PBMCs
• Assisting with grant applications, publications and with fulfilling regulatory requirements (animal ethics, biosafety etc.)
• Maintenance of lab environment and equipment
• Machine learning/AI
• Human pluripotent stem cell culture including maintenance, expansion, and characterization
• Helping to train and mentor lab personnel
• Performing experiments, analyzing results, and presenting findings
• Analyzing data and presenting the data in reports, publications, and presentations at local and international conferences
• Single-cell RNA-seq, perturb-seq, and/or other transcriptomic analysis
• Next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis
• Helping to enhance our collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment
• Contributing to cutting-edge knowledge in the scientific community
• Lung cell differentiation and culture
• Genetic engineering of mammalian cells

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Makes professional decisions and recommendations on all aspects of research work. Errors in performance of the above-related duties could have a significant impact on the effectiveness, reputation, collaboration, and financial status of the research project. Inappropriate judgment could result in fundamental flaws in the research results, in funding shortfalls for research grants or contracts, and loss of future research partnerships.

Supervision Received

Works under Drs. Shakiba, de Boer, Yachie, Lynn, and Zandstra’s minimum supervision; receives specific instructions only on unusual problems or matters which depart significantly from established policy and procedure.

Supervision Given

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

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

• 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

• Preferably, the candidate will have a MASc, MSc, or equivalent degree and experience. Candidates with strong background in either computational or experimental biology (or both) will be considered.
• Preference will be given to computational candidates who have skills in any of the following topics: bioinformatics, statistics, machine learning, deep learning, single cell omics, transcriptomics, and programming in R, Python, and Bash.
• Preference will be given to experimental candidates who have skills in any of the following areas: stem cell culture, lentiviral delivery, lung cell differentiation and culture, iPSC derivation, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, single-cell RNA-seq.
• The successful candidate will be a passionate, self-driven, independent thinker with excellent organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills, and a strong work ethic.

How To Apply

The position is full-time for one year with the possibility of extension subject to work performance. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Candidates should provide a CV, names and contact information of 3 references, and a cover letter describing past achievements and future research interests. Note that there are several similar positions available and candidates should apply to any that interest them. Please submit your applications directly via Workday from this link.

For any inquiries regarding this position, please contact Dr. Nika Shakiba ([email protected]), Dr. Nozomu Yachie ([email protected]), and Dr. Carl de Boer ([email protected]).

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.