Lab technician, Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
About the role
The Department of Biological Sciences within the Faculty of Science invites applications for a Lab technician. This Full-time Fixed Term Recurring Part-time position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
The overall focus of the research laboratory is on examining how a variety of exposures and experiences alter neurodevelopment and how this impacts risk vs. resilience to health conditions, including mental health problems, over the lifespan. The research involves a translational approach, including the use of pre-clinical animal models and studies involving clinical populations, and community partnerships.
The lab technician will participate in biological assays, development biosafety and ethics applications, database management, and related activities.
The position is located at the University of Calgary (main campus), with regular (1-3 times/week) travel to the Child Development Centre (Alberta Children's Hospital). Given the nature of the research, some flexibility in the lab technician's schedule will be required as research participants may occasionally be booked during the evenings or weekends.
This position reports to the Principal Investigator.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
- Completing biological assays (e.g., ELISA, PCR, and related analyses)
- Maintaining inventories of biological samples
- Training new undergraduate and graduate students
- Recruitment and enrolment of study participants, including community engagement
- Engaging professionally and respectfully with research participants (individuals with a neurodevelopmental disorder) and maintaining confidentiality
- Organizing and maintaining research records
- Coordinating and monitoring the return of biological samples
- Data entry using various research databases (e.g., Qualtrics, Redcap)
- Assist in tracking projects for reporting to the Principal Investigator
- Assisting with human and animal ethics applications and biosafety protocols
- Shipping of biologicals samples to collaborating research sites
- Conduct basic literature reviews
Qualifications / Requirements:
- BSc in life sciences or a related field
- Demonstrate excellent communication, organization, and problem solving skills
- Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office
- Strong wet lab skills and experiences
- Willingness to problem solve, foresee potential challenges
- Training and experience in phlebotomy (or willingness to undergo training) would be considered an asset (but not required)
- Experience using Qualtrics, Redcap, Canva, GraphPad, SPSS, R, and related software will be considered an asset
- Past experience shipping biological samples, and completion of the UCalgary transportation of dangerous goods course would be an asset
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Previous experience working with individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders will be considered an asset
- Must be open to learning and development, and be willing to accept new challenges
- Ability to deal with simultaneous priorities and competing timelines in an effective, efficient and professional manner
About University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a leading Canadian university located in the nation's most enterprising city. The university has a clear strategic direction to become one of Canada's top five research universities, where research and innovative teaching go hand in hand, and where we fully engage the communities we both serve and lead. This strategy is called Eyes High, inspired by the university's Gaelic motto, which translates as 'I will lift up my eyes.’
Lab technician, Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
About the role
The Department of Biological Sciences within the Faculty of Science invites applications for a Lab technician. This Full-time Fixed Term Recurring Part-time position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
The overall focus of the research laboratory is on examining how a variety of exposures and experiences alter neurodevelopment and how this impacts risk vs. resilience to health conditions, including mental health problems, over the lifespan. The research involves a translational approach, including the use of pre-clinical animal models and studies involving clinical populations, and community partnerships.
The lab technician will participate in biological assays, development biosafety and ethics applications, database management, and related activities.
The position is located at the University of Calgary (main campus), with regular (1-3 times/week) travel to the Child Development Centre (Alberta Children's Hospital). Given the nature of the research, some flexibility in the lab technician's schedule will be required as research participants may occasionally be booked during the evenings or weekends.
This position reports to the Principal Investigator.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
- Completing biological assays (e.g., ELISA, PCR, and related analyses)
- Maintaining inventories of biological samples
- Training new undergraduate and graduate students
- Recruitment and enrolment of study participants, including community engagement
- Engaging professionally and respectfully with research participants (individuals with a neurodevelopmental disorder) and maintaining confidentiality
- Organizing and maintaining research records
- Coordinating and monitoring the return of biological samples
- Data entry using various research databases (e.g., Qualtrics, Redcap)
- Assist in tracking projects for reporting to the Principal Investigator
- Assisting with human and animal ethics applications and biosafety protocols
- Shipping of biologicals samples to collaborating research sites
- Conduct basic literature reviews
Qualifications / Requirements:
- BSc in life sciences or a related field
- Demonstrate excellent communication, organization, and problem solving skills
- Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office
- Strong wet lab skills and experiences
- Willingness to problem solve, foresee potential challenges
- Training and experience in phlebotomy (or willingness to undergo training) would be considered an asset (but not required)
- Experience using Qualtrics, Redcap, Canva, GraphPad, SPSS, R, and related software will be considered an asset
- Past experience shipping biological samples, and completion of the UCalgary transportation of dangerous goods course would be an asset
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Previous experience working with individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders will be considered an asset
- Must be open to learning and development, and be willing to accept new challenges
- Ability to deal with simultaneous priorities and competing timelines in an effective, efficient and professional manner
About University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a leading Canadian university located in the nation's most enterprising city. The university has a clear strategic direction to become one of Canada's top five research universities, where research and innovative teaching go hand in hand, and where we fully engage the communities we both serve and lead. This strategy is called Eyes High, inspired by the university's Gaelic motto, which translates as 'I will lift up my eyes.’