The Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Assistant. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator. The Research Assistant will be responsible for generating vector libraries for new optogenetic proteins and biosensors, screening candidate libraries using live cell imaging techniques and performing routine molecular and biochemical laboratory techniques to drive this research arm and support other lab members.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Laboratory Organization

• Receiving lab items
• Generating and maintaining lab inventories
• Cleaning and maintenance of equipment
• Conducting tests on new products or experimental processes
• Maintaining current databases of lab plasmids, viruses, cell lines, chemicals, antibodies, etc.

Laboratory Administration

• Maintenance of lab notes, documentation of procedures
• Maintain lab biosafety manual
• Ensure all lab members have requisite safety training
• Update lab protocols
• Keep up to date on safety protocol changes

Research

• Work closely with the PI
• Report results to PI
• Process and analyze experimental samples
• Assist lab members with experiments
• Create new DNA vectors encoding novel optogenetic proteins and biosensors
• Screen clone libraries using live cell fluorescence imaging techniques
• Train lab members including undergraduate and graduate students
• Assist in writing of abstracts and manuscripts

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Master's in Cell Biology and/or Molecular Biology or a related area required
• Minimum five years of experience preferred in
  • Molecular biology, including expression vector construction including AAV and lentivirus using site-directed mutagenesis, Gibson Assembly, cloning, and PCR; RNA isolation and reverse transcription, qPCR; bacterial transformation, DNA amplification and purification
  • Protein chemistry: Western blot, cell-surface biotinylation
  • Protein-protein interactions: BRET, FRET, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay
  • Imaging: epifluorescence, calcium imaging, confocal imaging, 2-photon
  • Tissue culture: maintenance and transfection of HEK 293T, Neuro2a, NG108, BV2 microglia, primary hippocampal neurons, dorsal root ganglia neurons
  • Processing primary tissue for protein analysis
• Familiarity with UCalgary processes and procedures
• Record keeping, database maintenance
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Basic to intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), SnapGene and NCBI bioinformatics tools
• Excellent communication, written and organizational skills
• Extensive knowledge of laboratory equipment providing services in upkeep and repair
• Ability to communicate with various levels of management and university groups, as well as external parties to the university

Application Deadline: This position will remain open until filled; however, applicants will be reviewed as they are received.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 1.