Research Lab Manager Full-time

Job Title

Renal Nanotechnology Laboratory Principal Investigator

Job Description

This position has an initial appointment of 1 year, with the possibility of renewal. The role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton. The Renal Nanotechnology Laboratory is newly established within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at University of Alberta coincident with the recruitment of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Fissell. The position reports to Dr. Fissell and has no direct reports itself. The successful applicant will both oversee the day-to-day operations of the Renal Nanotechnology Laboratory and conduct specific experiments, generally in cell culture and molecular biology.

Responsibilities

Day-to-day oversight of the laboratory:

• Maintain par levels of supplies
• Continuously maintain and update laboratory safety procedures and records (e.g. MSDS, hazardous waste disposal, infection control) in accordance with University of Alberta guidelines and regulations
• Schedule group meetings
• Develop onboarding procedures for students and new hires

Establish and maintain cell culture infrastructure

• Perform culture of mammalian cells
• Assess phenotypes of cultured cells
• HPLC method development and measurement

The Renal Nanotechnology Laboratory has relocated from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee to University of Alberta, Edmonton. The laboratory is in its 25th year of operation and is focused on developing technologies for treatment of kidney failure.

The laboratory has two broad areas on investigation at present:

• Improving quantitative fidelity between cultured renal tubule cells and their in-vivo counterparts
• Molecules that are excreted by the kidney and accumulate in kidney failure are known as uremic toxins. Despite progress in management of kidney failure by dialysis, patients with chronic kidney failure suffer a significant burden of illness and excess mortality. Not all uremic toxins are excreted by dialysis to the same extent. We are investigating strategies to improve removal of so-called protein-bound uremic toxins, a class of molecule that is removed poorly by conventional dialysis.

Qualifications

The responsive candidate shall hold a bachelor's degree in biology or a related field. Candidates with Master's degrees in Biology or a related field may be given priority if all other skills are equal.

The successful candidate must have mastered epithelial cell culture:

• Thawing stocks of cells
• Freezing stocks of cells
• Seeding cells onto a variety of scaffolds and substrates
• Monitoring cell growth and health
• Passaging cells

The successful candidate must have mastered the basic techniques of molecular biology:

• Isolating RNA and protein from cells
• PCR
• Western blotting
• ELISA
• RNASeq submission

The successful candidate must have mastered the basic procedures of immunohistochemistry:

• Fixing cells
• Primary and secondary antibody staining
• Preparation of controls
• Indirect immunofluorescent microscopy

The outstanding candidate will also have experience with:

• C18 RP-HPLC
• Size-exclusion chromatography
• Confocal microscopy
• Superresolution microscopy techniques

Application Instructions

Click “Apply Now” to submit your curriculum vitae, cover letter, and list of publications.

About the Team

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is one of the world's top academic health science centres. With 21 departments, multiple research institutes and centres, and a focus on excellence in education, research, and clinical care, the faculty trains outstanding medical and dental professionals and drives global health innovation in collaboration with partners across sectors.

About University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community. The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people – from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more. At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns. The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply. L'Université de l'Alberta s'engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.