Cho Lab Research Assistant

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

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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 position supports research activities in the Cho Laboratory at ICORD with a focus on imaging and rodent models of spinal cord injury (atraumatic and traumatic). Depending on the experiment evening overnight and weekend shifts will be required from time to time.

Organizational Status

ICORD is a world leading health research centre focused on spinal cord injury. From the lab-based cellular level of understanding injury to rehabilitation and recovery our researchers are dedicated to the development and translation of more effective strategies to promote prevention functional recovery and improved quality of life after spinal cord injury. Located at Vancouver General Hospital in the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre ICORD is supported by UBC Faculties of Medicine and Science and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. .

The Cho Lab at ICORD is led by Dr. Newton Cho. The goal of the lab is the develop viable translatable neuromodulatory therapies of the brain and spinal cord to improve hand and gait function after spinal cord injury. By leveraging whole brain clearing light-sheet imaging and atlas registration in rodents in addition to circuit dissection with techniques such as optogenetics the Cho Lab aims to identify novel targets and circuits for modulation to improve function.

The Research Assistant reports directly to Dr. Cho and liaises with ICORD administrative staff for assistance with equipment orders and facilities-related issues. The Research Assistant may represent the Cho Lab on the ICORD Safety Committee and provides training on equipment use and lab safety protocols for other lab members when appropriate.

Work Performed

Scientific duties:

• Conducts rodent habituation and care procedures and assists in the collection of neural tissues for experimental analysis

• Performs rodent surgeries including spinal cord injury viral injections optic fiber implantation

• Performs animal behaviour training and testing activities such as catwalk/Vicon motion capture food pellet reaching overground locomotion

• Performs histological procedures including cryostat-sectioning and immunolabelling

• Performs whole brain/spinal cord clearing and immunolabelling

• Performs microscopy using a slide scanner and confocal microscope including image capture and archiving

• Performs light-sheet imaging and image storage

• Analyzes and interprets experiment results and research data; assembles and summarizes data; performs statistical analysis of collected data

• Writes reports and presents research results at laboratory meetings

• Writes and updates lab manuals and standard operating procedures

Research support:

• Procures laboratory supplies consumables and equipment; follows up on outstanding orders investigates and resolves errors

• Organizes laboratory and stock maintains inventory replenishing/ordering supplies as required

• Prepares and/or maintains media buffers reagents solutions cultures and related material for routine laboratory use

• Reconciles credit card expenses and pays PO invoices in Workday

• Maintains internal purchase and inventory files

• Participates in weekly lab meetings; records and shares meeting minutes

• Assists with orientation for and training of new hires

• Performs other duties from time to time as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Works within well-defined guidelines and procedures but exercises judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion; new or unusual problems are referred to during the performance of research duties could reduce the quality of research conducted in the lab and jeopardize the labs ability to secure future funding by competing for research judgment could also result in deterioration of animal health including mortality and could lead to the revocation of ethics certification for the lab.

Supervision Received
Reports to the PI of the laboratory. Works under general supervision in carrying out familiar phases of duties and responsibilities; receives instructions during orientation and on subsequent new assignments or changes in procedures.

Supervision Given
Although the Research Assistant does not actually supervise any other staff on a regular basis they will act as a resource for lab members and may supervise volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- 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

BSc or an advanced graduate degree in Neuroscience or Biotechnology is preferred. Experience working in a wet lab with exposure to both surgical procedures in rodents animal handling and training in tasks and histology is highly desired. Experience in tissue slicing and confocal imaging preferred. Knowledge of image analysis and quantification is preferred. Excellent communication skills are required. Attention to detail to work effectively both independently and in a team environment is required. Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills are necessary for this position. Must be available to work evening weekend and overnight shifts from time to time as required.