T4 - Hackett Lab

Staff - Non Union
Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants
Job Profile
Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4
Job Title
T4 - Hackett Lab
Department
Hackett Laboratory | UBC James Hogg Research Centre | Faculty of Medicine
Compensation Range
$4,558.75 - $5,354.67 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date
May 12, 2023
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.
Job End Date
May 31, 2024
Job Summary
The candidate will be responsible overseeing the specialized Human Lung Cell Repository and Cell Phenotyping Core and running of the day to day duties related to the Hackett lab at the UBC Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI). This includes managing lab purchases and inventory, performing specialized in vitro experiments using human lung primary cells and cell lines and utilizing various cellular and molecular techniques such as (western blot, ELISA, PCR, Immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry, etc), presenting data at weekly lab meetings, orienting new lab members to current laboratory techniques and safety guidelines. The candidate will work with other lab members and collaborators.
Organizational Status
Reports directly to Principal Investigator. Interactions and liasons with research technicians and trainees. Located at the UBC Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI). The applicant will have access to bench space whereby they can conduct the necessary analysis. Lighting is sufficient in all areas. All work will be done indoors. Hazards include: working with human tissue samples, cytotoxic agents (cytokines, apoptosis inducing agents) and the handling of carcinogens (eg. 2-Mercaptoethanol). A lab coat and goggles will be worn when necessary. Full access to safety hoods is provided.
Work Performed
Managerial:

• Managing supplies and equipment of the cell culture room and ensuring that all users are properly trained and following good aseptic techniques.
• Developing and updating lab manuals and SOPs, and assisting with biosafety and ethics renewal applications using UBC’s RISE system.
• Keeping the lab webpage up to date using UBC’s content management system (WordPress).
• Orienting new lab members to the current safety protocols inside the lab and at HLI, and report accidents / incidents on UBC’s CAIRS system.
• Shipping and receiving samples with working knowledge of all safety issues around the use, disposal and shipment of human tissues and samples on dry ice.
• Maintaining Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) according to UBC’s UILO guidelines.
• Facilitating lab workflow by managing lab purchases, inventories, and P-card reconciliation.
• Documenting lab safety inspections, ethics and bio-safety approval certificates, and lab members’ safety training certificates.
• Operating and maintaining specialized tissue culture equipment (Electrical cell impedance sensing and Flex cell, tissue bioreactor) and supplies and scheduling repair.
• Managing chemical hazards waste disposal using UBC’s chemical waste inventory system.

Technical:
Providing comprehensive technical support on specialized tissue culture equipment to all lab members and collaborators, and working on collaborative and individual projects that involves:

• Processing human lung cell and tissue samples for downstream molecular analysis:
• Processing human tissue and cell samples
• Modifying protocols as needed
• Preparing cells for flow cytometry
• Analyzing results
• Optimizing and executing of quantitative real time PCR
• Organizing blood and sputum samples
• Having experience with image analysis software (eg. imageJ, imageScope and ZEN)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Measuring protein expression in human tissue and tissue culture samples:
• Performing Western
• Setting up in vitro tissue culture experiments:
• Primer design and optimization
• Preparing tissues and cells for image analysis by:
• Isolating and quantifying RNA and DNA
• Performing ELISAs
• Preparing cells for flow cytometry
• Preparing slides for confocal microscopy
• Developing protocols when needed
• DNA/ RNA extraction from cells
• Working knowledge with Aperio eSlide Manager
• Preparing cells stocks and maintain inventory
• Analyzing gene expression in human tissue and tissue culture samples:
• Contributing to manuscript technical data writing and images and figures preparation for publication
• Confocal and multiphoton microscopy
• Designing, optimizing conditions, and troubleshooting specialized tissue culture experiments using Electrical cell impedance sensing and Flex cell, tissue bioreactor.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Work requires judgment and initiative. Inability to perform tasks will impact negatively on individual projects and the research group as a whole. Errors could seriously jeopardize the reputation of the Hackett lab, thus affecting the likelihood of obtaining support to perform the research on an ongoing basis.
Supervision Received
Receives instructions only on matters that depart significantly from standard procedures and policy. The candidate is expected to work independently once the general guidance is given.
Supervision Given
Supervision will be given as needed to summer students, coop students, undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Training will be given to students and staff to utilize e the portion of the Hackett lab and multi-user facilities within the HLI.
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.
Preferred Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute. Minimum of 4 years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of laboratory safety and techniques. Diligence, meticulousness and exceptional organizational skills are a must. Ability to work on a team is essential. Knowledgeable with computer and databases. The applicant will be able to work independently and communicate effectively with all levels of faculty, staff and trainees. This includes both oral and written communication.
Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy and discretion. Ability to work with sensitive information and data in a discrete and professional manner