Laboratory Technician Part-time

Job Opportunity at the University of Alberta

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

These positions have a term length of 1 year plus 1 day, with the possibility of extension. This posting may be used to fill multiple positions. Location – This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

The mission of PIVOT in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, is to discover, develop, and assess vaccines for better protection against emerging pathogens.

The Prairie Immune and Vaccine Optimization and Testing (PIVOT) Core at the University of Alberta seeks experienced and motivated technicians to fill positions in one of the two skills categories:

• Molecular Biology technicians: with molecular biology experience essential for creating vaccine vectors, rescuing virus-based vaccines and propagation and purification of the vectors. This position would require proven expertise in cell culture and molecular biology (cloning, gene and protein expression).
• Immunology technician positions, with experience conducting pre-clinical studies focused on immune responses to new vaccine candidates. The candidate would conduct animal-based experiments, including ordering, maintenance and record keeping either independently or alongside other researchers. High throughput immunological assays such as ELISA, Elispot, flow cytometry, and microscopy will be utilized. This position requires expertise and experience in immunology and optimizing and conducting immunology-related assays.

Collaboration with lab trainees, animal care staff, the principal investigator and veterinarians will be needed. These positions will have a starting duration of 1 year and 1 day with the possibility of extension.

Responsibilities include:

• Molecular Biology technician position duties: Use strong time management and organization skills, pay close attention to details for meticulously executed experiments based on SOPs to achieve efficient accuracy and reproducibility, create virus vaccine vectors, use cell lines and molecular protocols to propagate and purify vaccine vectors, titer viruses and viral vectors, assist with additional molecular virology-based research experiments, prepare standard solutions for the laboratory, orders needed laboratory consumables, handle biohazard waste and cleaning of laboratory glassware and other instruments, assists other lab members with experiments (including, but not limited to, molecular cloning, virus production, immune assays, flow cytometry, virus titering and qPCR).
• Immunology technician position duties: Optimize and conduct many assays for assessing specific immunological readouts, such as ELISA and Elispot, flow cytometry and others. Molecular Biology, standard mice husbandry, which may include receiving animals, make independent decisions regarding the health and care of animal colonies based on advice from animal care staff, veterinarians and principal investigator, conduct animal experiments independently or assists other lab members following discussion and instruction by lab members and principal investigator, conduct a variety of experimental procedures on animals including, but not limited to, injections, euthanasia, tissue sampling and processing, assists in the training of new students with animal experiments Immunological assays, prepares standard solutions for the laboratory.
• Both position duties: Maintains meticulous current records of experiments, assists in maintaining and completing animal protocols and associated paperwork, ensures compliance with EHS under the supervision of the principal investigator.

Qualifications include:

• B.Sc in life sciences (immunology, biochemistry, microbiology, etc), or NAIT diploma in Laboratory Research & Biotechnology program
• For molecular biology positions, demonstrated experience with molecular biology research
• For immunology positions, demonstrated experience with immunology-based research
• For immunology positions, 2 years experience in small animal model based research is essential
• Animal Handling certificate is preferred
• Experience in research environment
• Strong experience with troubleshooting laboratory protocols and equipment
• Experience with the administration of policies and procedures
• Experience with biohazard, radiation, WHMIS safety and policy
• Computer proficiency with MS Office and other platforms

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated meticulous lab technique during experimentation and record keeping
• Demonstrated ability to take instructions from supervisor and maintain regular updates to supervisor
• Demonstrated ability to follow SOPs
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot experiments
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while managing competing priorities
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of creating equitable, diverse, and inclusive practices
• Demonstrated time management skills to plan efficient experiments and other lab duties
• Strong organization skills

Application Instructions: Click “Apply Now” to submit your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, address if you are applying for the immunology/animal position and/or the virus vectored vaccine development position, and specifically address your real-research experience (beyond curricular or theoretical) with the methodology described in the qualifications and description sections. Indicate when the experience was a lab course or work experience in a research setting.