Laboratory Technician Full-time NEW

Virology Lab Research Position

This competition is restricted to internal applicants of the University of Alberta. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position has a term length of 1 year plus 1 day.

Location – This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

This position involves research in a virology lab. The candidate will perform a wide range of technical duties and provide support for ongoing research projects, specifically by completing molecular assays, either independently or alongside current lab trainees. Their primary role will be propagating and purifying virus but the candidate will also require the molecular biology experience essential for creating new viral vectors and assisting with the experiments of other lab trainees. Western blotting, qPCR, flow cytometry, ELISAs, virus titering, molecular cloning, protein expression and immune assays will be utilized. This position requires proven expertise in cell culture and will require independent decision making and collaboration with lab trainees and the principal investigator.

Responsibilities

Propagating and Purifying Viruses

• Maintains cell cultures required for virus propagation
• Prepares solutions required for purifying virus
• Prepares viral stocks required for molecular and animal experiments

Molecular Research Experiments

• Prepares standard solutions for the laboratory
• Uses synthetic biology and traditional cloning, and many molecular techniques, to create new vectors
• Maintains a large number of cell lines
• Generates recombinant viruses using reverse genetics
• Assists with tumor processing and associated molecular assays
• Produces baculovirus encoded proteins and purifies proteins
• Produces bacterial encoded proteins and purifies proteins
• Works independently or assists other lab members with experiments (including, but not limited to, molecular cloning, virus production, immune assays, flow cytometry, Next-Gen sequencing, protein purification, co-immunoprecipitation assays, virus tittering and qPCR)

Maintaining Records and Administrative Duties

• Maintains current records of experiments
• Assists in the disposal of biohazardous waste
• Ensures compliance with EHS under the supervision of the principal investigator

Qualifications

• Diploma (BSc in Biological Sciences or related field preferred)
• Strong Experience in a research environment
• Strong Experience propagating and purifying mammalian viruses, including virus stock preparation, infection, viral tittering and gradient purification
• Strong experience with cloning
• Experience with bacteria propagation, protein production and purification
• Experience with baculovirus propagation, protein production and purification
• Experience with reverse engineering of mammalian viruses
• Experience with troubleshooting laboratory protocols and equipment
• Experience with the administration of policies and procedures
• Experience with biohazard, WHMIS safety and policy
• Experience mentoring students and teaching laboratory techniques
• Experience with scientific writing
• Computer proficiency with MS Suit applications, Photoshop, Origin and BioRender

Application Instructions

Click “Apply Now” to submit your resume and cover letter.