Research Asst/Tech 4 Jobs

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4

Job Title

Research Asst/Tech 4

Department

Administrative Management | School of Biomedical Engineering | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$5,068.91 - $5,946.08 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

August 8, 2023

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

Job End Date

Aug 8, 2024

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) is a partnership between the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine, established in 2017. Currently the School has 36 core and joint faculty located on campus and at healthcare research institutes, 400+ undergraduate and undergraduate students, 20+ administrative staff and several research core service facilities. In addition, SBME will move in 2024/2025 into a new building on campus, which will act as a hub for biomedical engineering activities at UBC and beyond. The School 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, aspiring to be a global leader in the field. Its vision is to transform health care outcomes through unconstrained exploration of the best possible integrative solutions across engineering, medicine, and biology.

This position will support 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year biomedical engineering design course tasks and support academic labs and the design makerspace in Biomedical Engineering at UBC. The incumbent is expected to perform a variety of complex tasks, including tasks of a technical nature, in a dynamic work environment. The candidate must have the aptitude to maintain quality work at the highest level in a dynamic environment, prioritize safety, and work well both independently and with others.

Organizational Status

This position reports to the Director of Strategic Planning and Operations of the SBME, with a dotted line to Robyn Newell, Assistant Professor of Teaching, and works closely with the Teaching Laboratory Manager.

Work Performed

• Advises and makes recommendations to the Teaching Lab Manager regarding student access protocols to the makerspace and labs.
• Supervises co-op or Work Learn undergraduate students for projects in the makerspace
• Troubleshoots complex equipment and systems problems.
• Other duties as required
• Researches options and creates documentation and operating procedures used for existing and newly acquired tools/equipment such as maintenance and usage for current and/or new 3D printers, documentation of how to operate mechanical power tools (such as the benchtop milling machine, band saws, drill press, etc.), sets up and documents usage/safety procedures for newly acquired complex pieces of scientific equipment.
• Oversees and trains undergraduate students in the makerspace to ensure safety protocols are followed
• Develops safety protocols and plans for the makerspace, cell and chemistry lab facilities and maintains appropriate lab inventory.
• Design consultation for students in undergraduate courses
• Instructs students on proper and safe use of equipment such as 3d printers, power tools (such as bandsaw, drill press, angle grinder, mitre saw, etc), electrical tools (such as soldering, power supplies, wave generators, etc.), CNC machines (such as a benchtop mill), and any future purchases of equipment.
• Interfaces with UBC Building Operations, UBC Facilities and Planning, and UBC Safety and Risk Services to organize installations and to ensure safe and proper operation of equipment and protocols.
• Trains course Teaching Assistants in the makerspace
• Oversees the daily operations of the makerspace and its equipment/tools as a teaching space for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year engineering undergraduate design courses.
• Operates and maintains and trains students and Teaching Assistants on highly specialized equipment requiring extensive training, such as laser jet and water jet cutters.
• Providing purchase and inventory recommendations for the design makerspace and labs.
• Works in close co-operation with course instructors and lab manager in the design makerspace, dry labs, chemistry labs and the cellular labs. Specifically, they plan for additions of new equipment, research options for this new equipment and determines the applicability of new technology and systems, source and secure equipment and supplies, install equipment, as well as maintain and repair current equipment.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Exercises a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility, and initiative in determining work procedures and methods. Decisions made in this position are crucial to the operation of the laboratory. Any errors made and failure to follow procedures and direction could create disruptions to course planning and/or safety concerns and will result in the delay of production of course or academic laboratory services.

Supervision Received

The incumbent works under minimum supervision, receiving specific instructions only on unusual problems or on matters which depart significantly from established policy and procedure. The position works closely with the SBME Teaching Lab Manager.

Supervision Given

This position may supervise other employees upon occasion, such as work-learn or co-op students.

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

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to track many small tasks and make steady progress.
• Excellent knowledge of the fundamentals of engineering design is strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with workshops, mechanical tools, and 3D printing is strongly preferred.
• Experience in a design makerspace strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is an asset.
• Ability to design and implement new systems/programs to optimize efficiency and workflows.
• Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, discretion, and diplomacy.
• Experience in an academic laboratory setting is an asset.
• Experience with cellular experimentation is an asset.