Regular/Temporary

Temporary

Job Title

RESEARCH ASSISTANT (I)

Job ID

71465

Location

HSC- Central Campus

Open Date

08/19/2025

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

08/25/2025

Employee Group

Unifor Unit 1, Staff

Favorite Job

Department

Biochemistry

Salary Grade/Band

Grade 7

Salary Range

$25.70 - $39.89 (hourly)

Contract Duration

12.2 Months

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

Monday - Friday - 8:30 AM to 4:30PM,
100% on-site position

Education Level

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study

Career Level

Requires minimum of 2 year relevant experience

Job Description

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

Ranked as one of the world’s top 70 universities, McMaster University is known for teaching and research excellence. In our teaching, research, and scholarship, we are committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence. We value integrity, quality, inclusiveness, and teamwork in everything we do. We inspire critical thinking, personal growth, and a passion for lifelong learning. We serve the social, cultural, and economic needs of our community and our society.

The Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), within the Faculty of Health Sciences integrates education, research, and community partnership in the heart of what we do. Our faculty, staff and students are committed to excellence, and our goal is to aim high and tackle anything that comes our way.

We are recruiting for an experienced Research Laboratory Technician who will, in consultation with the Principal Investigator, lab researchers and collaborators, design and run bioinformatics experiments and perform statistical analysis of different microbiome data modalities and microbial genomics.

Job Summary:
The Research Assistant (I) is responsible for organizing and administering one or more research projects within required deadlines under the direction of a Principal Investigator or project leader.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Oversee the collection, entry, verification, management, analysis, and reporting of data.
• Use statistical software to analyze data and interpret results.
• Design and maintain databases, data collection forms, error checking methods and related programs for efficient collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Modify and reconfigure databases to ensure the optimal storage of data and minimize data entry complexities.
• Troubleshoot moderately complex computer problems.
• Write data management and operations documentation for the project.
• Liaise between the project centre and remote project sites and personnel.
• Conduct structured project participant interviews.
• Ensure that the relevant research methodology is applied and all research material is handled in accordance with established protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Participate in the development of promotional strategies and related materials to encourage participation and support for research projects.
• Develop presentations and present information and training sessions to project personnel and project participants.
• Keep project participants informed of project progress through regular reports and newsletters.
• Gather and compile information and data required for the preparation of scientific papers, abstracts, and graphs.
• Conduct literature searches.
• Oversee the extraction and compilation of data required for reports and disseminate data to research groups and collaborating partners.
• Implement and maintain the research project budget. Create financial projections and make adjustments to the research project budget throughout the fiscal year.
• Exercise appropriate budget controls, monitor, and reconcile accounts.
• Write a variety of letters and memos.
• Participate in research project meetings and propose recommendations for procedure modifications and development in the areas of data management, quality control, and assurance.
• Write, update, and archive data management and quality assurance conventions.
• Respond to inquiries received from project personnel regarding relevant project issues and procedures.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.
• Requires 2 years of relevant experience.

Assets:

• Completion of a MSc Degree would be considered an asset for this role
• Experience with building bioinformatic pipelines related to microbial genomics, metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics is an asset.
• Proficient in Python, linux, and R statistics programming environments is an asset.
• Proficient in performing analyses on high performance compute clusters
• Understanding of Health and Safety, Lab safety procedures is an asset
• Highly motivated with excellent time management skills
• Basic microbiology and understanding of microbiome data is considered an asset
• Demonstrated ability to learn new tools and train others is desired

Additional Information:

• Must have the ability to document work in progress and write a variety of documents including standard operating procedures and reports

• Excellent communication skills are required and incumbent must be comfortable explaining and presenting work to collaborators

• Experience analyzing and integrating large datasets of different modalities, preferably with statistical analysis

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.