Regular/Temporary

Temporary

Job Title

Laboratory Technician III (Plant Micro Biology) - Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Science

Job ID

71649

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

09/04/2025

Job Type

Continuing

Close Date

09/10/2025

Employee Group

Unifor Unit 1, Staff

Favorite Job

Department

Biology

Salary Grade/Band

Grade 7

Salary Range

$25.70 - $39.89 (hourly)

Hours per Week

37.5

Posting Details

Schedule

Hours of work are 7.5 hours per day, 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday to Friday, including a 60-minute unpaid meal period. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Education Level

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.

Career Level

Requires 2 years of relevant experience.

Job Description #

JD1503

Anticipated Fill Date

Mid September

Job Description

Unit/Project Description:
A Laboratory Technician (RLT) (III) is required in the Department of Biology to carry out various activities that support the lab portion of undergraduate teaching. The Technician will be responsible for designing/redesigning lab exercises, in consultation with a team including Instructors and Instructional Assistants. A detailed understanding of the scientific background underpinning the course material is essential. All assigned lab courses must be fully prepped and ready on schedule for the labs. The labs involve basic Microbiology (culturing, storing bacteria, preparing different growth media, conducting phenotypic assays) and Molecular Biology techniques (restriction enzyme digestion, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis for DNA/proteins and SDS PAGE electrophoresis and preparing competent cells and cloning). As they are involved in the maintenance of the biodiversity collection in the Biology Greenhouse, knowledge of plant biology is essential for this position. The incumbent must prepare the materials, growth media, chemical solutions and equipment for each lab and transport them to the final lab location. Growing bacterial cultures and plants in different conditions, using analytical equipment (such as a spectrophotometer), preparing sterile solutions, growing and titering bacteriophage lysates, is required. The incumbent will also be required to set up illumination for bright field and phase contrast using light microscopes. Other responsibilities include maintaining a lab supply inventory to meet the demands of a dynamic lab course schedule. Lab equipment must be maintained, repaired if possible, and calibrated as needed. In-lab trouble-shooting, solution refreshing and lab turn-over will all be necessary. The RLT (III) will also be responsible for the proper waste disposal for the labs in accordance with the Environmental Health and Safety regulations.

Compensation & Benefits:
As a Unionized position, this role at McMaster offers robust, market-driven compensation, benefits, retirement savings plans/pensions, paid time-off, performance and service recognition, tuition assistance for employees, tuition bursary for dependents, and many other professional development and growth opportunities. To learn more about the total rewards available to the successful candidate, please access McMaster’s Total Rewards Overview for Unifor employees (https://hr.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2019/11/Unifor-Local-5555-Unit-1-Total-Rewards-Overview-Nov-2019-final-1.pdf) with a summary of the compensation, benefits, retirement income, paid time-off, and learning and development opportunities offered at McMaster. To further explore the extensive total rewards program, detailed information can be accessed through the links throughout the overview document.

Job Summary:
Under the direction of the immediate supervisor, design new laboratory exercises and procedures and oversee the day-to-day operations of a facility, laboratory or multiple laboratories. Organizes, distributes and verifies the work of others and participates in their training.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Design new laboratory exercises and procedures.
• Conduct literature searches and write literature review summaries.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of a facility, laboratory or multiple laboratories.
• Coordinate the execution of experiments, projects and services.
• Establish priorities and ensure adherence to schedules.
• Provides technical guidance and assistance concerning work methods, the use of equipment and techniques, and the analysis of results.
• Review, test, evaluate, and modify equipment and methodology.
• Recognize and investigate apparent reasons for obvious deviations in results obtained.
• Write a variety of documents such as standard operating procedures.
• Conduct initial lab set-up in accordance with lab schedules and requirements.
• Perform pilot experiments and prepare lab demonstration materials.
• Demonstrate and train others on experimental techniques and the operation of laboratory equipment.
• Modify and adapt, labs as directed.
• Conduct moderately complex analyses of data.
• Perform trouble-shooting during the lab period to correct issues including, but not limited to, equipment failure and contamination.
• Update and maintain detailed records of lab preparations and procedures.
• Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
• Calibrate and maintain scientific equipment and instruments in accordance with prescribed requirements.
• Perform minor equipment repairs and arrange for major repairs through supervisor or outside contractor.
• Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
• Responsible for keeping laboratory facilities, equipment, and area in clean, safe working order.
• Assemble and adjust tests and laboratory equipment for experiments and procedures.
• Operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments.
• Schedule laboratory equipment for use.
• Prepare a variety of chemicals, solutions, sterile media, staining reagents and other materials required for the lab.
• Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
• Update, maintain, and verify inventory control of chemicals, media, and supplies.
• Monitor supplies and order inventories.
• Responsible for the proper storage of materials and the appropriate disposal of waste.
• Adhere to standardized procedures and protocols when dispensing chemicals and base media.
• Input, maintain, and verify information in a variety of databases and spreadsheets.

Requirements:

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

Additional Information:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well as organizational and time management skills are required. A working knowledge of spreadsheets (i.e. Excel) and word processing programs (i.e. MS Word) is necessary. Biology graduates will be preferred. Expertise in microbiology and molecular biology is required. This position requires working knowledge of molecular techniques such as restriction enzyme digestion, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis for DNA/proteins and SDS PAGE electrophoresis, preparing competent cells and cloning, culturing, storing bacteria, preparing different growth media, and conducting phenotypic assays. Advanced plant biology knowledge and skills are required. This position is expected to be involved in developing lab exercises, so a background in experimental design is required.

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.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

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.