Description

Undergrad Learning Services within the Faculty of Science is currently seeking a Full-time Temporary Relief Bioscience Technician for approximately 24 months.

The ULS Bioscience Technician plays a key role in supporting teaching and learning within the undergraduate laboratories of the Department of Biological Sciences. This position is primarily responsible for the preparation, setup, and maintenance of lab activities and equipment used in undergraduate courses across multiple disciplines. The Technician collaborates closely with faculty and other teaching staff to ensure smooth and effective delivery of lab-based instruction, trains students in the proper and safe use of scientific equipment and provides technical guidance to support student learning. While also assisting with graduate-level courses as needed, the focus of this role is to enhance the undergraduate laboratory experience through timely, accurate, and pedagogically aligned technical support.
This position reports to the Manager, Undergraduate Learning Services. During peak periods, the position will require to work a modified work schedule to support late-running lab sessions (e.g., 11 AM to 7 PM).

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

• Participate, when required, in the training of graduate teaching assistants.
• Recommend changes to methods, procedures and practices as appropriate to improve student experience.
• Work collaboratively and assist other technicians in Faculty of Science using same equipment and supporting common courses.
• Mentor junior technicians and student assistants.
• Remain current in software and application requirements and share with instructors as appropriate.
• Ensure positive relationships with students, staff and faculty within Science and other units are developed and maintained.

Course Support:

• Laboratory support may include a variety of undergraduate courses in a wide range of biological science fields.
• In consultation with the course instructor, assist graduate teaching assistants, prepare lab materials, and perform lab demonstrations.
• Assist course and laboratory coordinators in planning and designing new experiments.
• Demonstrate laboratory techniques to teaching assistants and assist teaching team in enriching laboratory experience of undergraduate students in the faculty.

Technical:

• Regulate expenditure within budgets of the designated laboratory courses.
• Responsible for inventory and ordering of general lab supplies, specialized chemicals and equipment as well as animal, plants, bacteria, phage and fungi for student lab exercises as required for the labs they support.
• Prepare solutions, media, reagents or buffers as well as maintain required model specimens or samples for undergraduate teaching labs within timelines for weekly student labs.
• Plan, organize and bring together available materials needed for every experiment.
• Assemble and disassemble weekly laboratory setup.
• Dispense laboratory materials for students.
• Setup, run, dismantle, clean, and organize equipment for lab experiments.
• Maintain equipment and apparatus in good condition for safe operation and ready use.
• Ensures that the teaching laboratories are a clean and safe environment for teaching assistants and students.
• Equipment testing and calibration may be required.
• Ensure safety regulations are followed in laboratories.
• Process chemical waste disposal and maintain laboratory information in Chematix.
• Maintain and update all the required records.

Other:

• Identify professional development needs and skill priorities; continues own personal development, learning and training; keeps current with post-secondary developments.
• Adhere to all university policy and regulatory requirements, including FOIP legislation.
• Liaise with other units as appropriate. Participate in cross-training to assist in other areas when needed and to meet Undergraduate Learning Services priorities.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Science (or related field) required.
• Minimum 5 years of directly related experience.
• Thorough understanding of analytical and instrumental methods and techniques used in Biological Sciences core courses.
• Knowledge in the use and maintenance of a wide range of laboratory equipment including, spectrophotometers, PCR machines, pippetteman, gel transilluminators, plate pourers, pH meters, balances, microscopes, centrifuges and other general lab equipment is an asset.
• Experience preparing chemical solutions, using aseptic techniques, culturing bacteria and fungi, and with model organisms used in genetics is an asset. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills required.
• Proven organizational skills, multitasking and high attention to detail required.
• Ability to think critically and creatively under pressure while exercising good judgement and discretion required.
• Demonstrated ability to be resourceful, creative, innovative, and flexible required.
• The ability to work independently to tight timelines, maintain confidentiality and deal effectively with overlapping and changing deadlines is required.
• Advanced Computer skills including MS Office Suite (including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel), especially Excel scientific plotting, required.
• Previous experience working with Peoplesoft and D2L is an asset.
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures is an asset.
• Ability to build relationships to accomplish goals with a diverse group within and outside of the Faculty of Science essential. Must be willing to get First Aid certification.

Application Deadline: August 14, 2025

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 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.