Laboratory Research Technician

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

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This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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 Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH) is home to several integrated research programs including research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and related disorders (ALSRD). Research is aimed at better understanding the cellular mechanisms and brain circuit changes underlying these disorders as well as clinical trials to test novel therapies.

The Laboratory Research Technician will support the operations of the Pioro Lab in UBC Department of Medicine (Division of Neurology). This role will support the organizing coordinating implementing and performing various functions and duties related to basic-science and/or translational research projects related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related disorders. The lab specializes in preclinical neurodegenerative disorder research with a heavy focus on disease modeling using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs).

The primary roles for this position are to a) manage finances logistics and personnel in the lab; b) oversee training of students and staff in the lab; c) perform highly specialized experiments using state-of-the art techniques for modeling of neurodegenerative disorders using hiPSCs.

By translating bench discoveries into promising novel therapies we aim to identify biomarkers critical for understanding ALSRD disease causation progression and response to experimental therapies.

The technician must be independent with respect to: a) hiPSC maintenance; b) differentiation of hiPSCs to neuronal tissue including neurons astrocytes & microglia; c) CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing on hiPSCs. The position requires deep knowledge of hiPSC culture media supplements and specific plating conditions required for maintaining highly complex cultures long-term. The technician is expected to keep fully up-to-date on hiPSC methodology and be capable of training all laboratory personnel including the PI if necessary in existing and new methods.

This position is situated in the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH) UBC Vancouver campus. The Centre is comprised of a community of more than 100 investigators with multi- and cross-disciplinary expertise who span many faculties departments and locations both across UBC and at other academic institutions. A state-of-the-art facility within the beautiful UBC Point Grey campus the Centre boasts more than 155000 square feet of space in laboratory and clinical research areas within the main DMCBH building and in the UBC Hospitals Koerner Pavilion. The Pioro Lab is located on 5/F of the DMCBH with ready access to microscopy and standard molecular biology equipment as well as cell culture and biobank facilities.

Organizational Status
The Pioro Lab is an integral component of the ALS and Related Disorders (ALSRD) research program at UBC a key part of ALS BC PROJECT HOPE. The technician reports directly to the Laboratory Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Erik Pioro. Research direction and supervision will be provided by PI. The technician will share responsibility with the PI and senior postdoc in overseeing all student research activity in the lab including safety training technical laboratory training and ongoing research activities. Research in the Pioro Lab complements Neuroimaging and Clinical research efforts that also take place at the DMCBH contributing to the innovative and cutting-edge research on ALS and related disorders that is the mandate of the ALSRD research program.

Work Performed

• Manage and oversee daily operations of the Pioro Lab including purchasing inventory general finances housekeeping & organizing shipping & receiving equipment procurement & maintenance.
• Develops and implements standard operating procedures for lab safety.
• Process experimental animal and post-mortem human tissue for staining and microscopy.
• Assist with processing and/or analysis of human and experimental animal biosamples for investigator-led clinical research studies according to study protocol and in compliance with applicable SOPs and ethical/privacy/regulatory requirements as applicable.
• Develops and implements standard and/or novel sample processing and analysis techniques including writing novel SOPs as directed.
• Develops and implements operating procedures for standard human induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (hiPSC) methodologies used by all staff including writing novel SOPs as directed.
• Designs and implements complex experiments in creating unique genetically altered hiPSC and hiPSC-derived cell cultures for broad research activities related to ALS and related disorders including writing novel protocols as directed.
• Develop systematic approach for managing cell lines and reagents in the laboratory.
• Responsible for the training of students and junior staff including technical research training.
• Provide hands-on complex practical training for all staff for research involving hiPSCs including creating cell lines maintaining cells differentiating lines and performing gene editing.
• Design prepare set up and perform lab experiments. Perform experimental data collection and data entry according to standard protocols and procedures and accepted best practices.
• Assist in experiments alongside students postdoctoral fellows and/or other staff as time allows.
• Operate basic and specialized scientific / research equipment to support ALSRD projects; troubleshoot instrument problems arising; identifies and resolves minor technical problems interfacing with vendors as needed.
• May be asked to analyze and interpret experimental results.
• Create organize and maintain detailed quality documentation of research activities.

• May be asked to assist with obtaining research permits as necessary.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in line with the qualifications and requirements of the role.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The work performed follows established current protocols and techniques as well as facilitate development and implementation of new techniques and procedures as appropriate to the research. The candidate will work within established guidelines and they will be expected to exercise judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion. New or unusual problems are referred to senior postdoctoral fellow or PI. Errors in sample preparation processing or management may result in significant harm to the overall project as sample collection is difficult to repeat. Errors in the initial creation of the iPSCs and derived cell lines would be costly and may lead to significant downstream delays which would jeopardize work in the lab. Improper or incomplete training of students or lab staff may be detrimental to (i.e. may jeopardize) personnel safety; safety measures compliance; project results; project timelines cell lines creation or utility; sample processing or utility; research progress; and lab reputation.

Supervision Received
Initial onboarding and/or technical training (if needed) will be provided by the senior postdoctoral fellow(s) and/or the Laboratory PI Dr. Erik Pioro. Thereafter the position will be minimally supervised as the Technician will be expected to assume independence for agreed-upon projects and duties.

Supervision Given
The Laboratory Technician will train and orientate new undergraduate / graduate students and/or research assistants as well as supervise them in their experiments or other lab duties. This supervision primarily involves adherence to safety protocols and technical assistance when needed.

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 ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in managing lab finances use of UBC Workday purchasing and inventory.
• Demonstrated experience with cell cultures and working with iPSCs.
• Familiarity with molecular biochemical immunological cell culture and assay techniques
• Demonstrated leadership in laboratory safety including biosafety procedures as well as a history of training laboratory staff.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflicts with ones own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion.
• Sound judgment and discretion in maintaining confidentiality & privacy of research samples records and any proprietary information.
• Exceptional analytical problem solving and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to independently organize workload & work with minimal supervision both independently and within a team environment.
• Ability to maintain high standards in quality of work accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to receive and act on constructive feedback.
• Strong scientific writing skills as well as Strong computer literacy including familiarity with word processing spreadsheets and Internet resource use.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse staff study team members patients and families.
• Working knowledge of statistical methods an asset.
• Availability for some after-hours and weekend work may be required.