Research Assistant / Tech 3

Staff – Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried – Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Research Assistant / Tech 3

Department

Research | Hedtrich Lab | Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Compensation Range

$4,150.00 – $4,529.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

April 28, 2021

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Apr 30, 2022

*Please note this position is a part-time position at 0.75 FTE

Job Summary

Hedtrich Lab is focused on the establishment of Next Generation Therapies, Nanomedicine, Tissue Engineering & Tissue Regeneration. We are particularly interested in healthy and diseased states of human epithelia with a current focus on inflammatory and genetic diseases of the human skin and lung. The role will be to support the lab members and the Principal Investigator (PI) with daily laboratory tasks. Handling primary human cell and tissue culture and occasionally animal tissue will be a major part. This is a one-year grant based-renewable position.

Organizational Status

This position reports directly to the Principal Investigator. Daily interactions with postdocs, graduate students and undergraduate students require that the candidate must be able to work as part of a team as well as independently.

Work Performed

• Works independently and/or along with the PI, performing complex experiments involving three-dimensional tissue models, bioengineering, and organ-on-chip setups.

• Collects, records and present data to PI and in laboratory meetings

• Analyzes and interprets experimental data, determines its implications, makes informed thoughtful decisions and provides recommendations to the PI.

• Writes reports and presents experimental findings to the research group and PI.

• Searches databases for publications and other documents.

• Coordinates, monitors, and ensures the implementation and enforcement of laboratory safety rules and procedures.

• Responsible for the daily cell culture work including cell isolation, cell handling and tissue cultivation.

• Assists regularly with the collection of mucus and skin tissue from pigs.

• Assists the lab with daily laboratory and organizational operations

• Provides training to new students and lab members with regard to cell culture work and biomolecular methods

• Organizes laboratory and stock, maintains inventory and distributes supplies.

• Prepares and/or maintains media, buffer, reagents, solutions, cultures and related material for routine laboratory use.

• Sets up, operates and maintains lab equipment

• Performs other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Failure to report problems during cell handling or isolation could result in delay of project progress or, requiring experiments to be repeated. Meetings with PI and senior laboratory staff will be held on a weekly basis.

Supervision Received

After appropriate introduction, the candidate will work mainly independently but communicate with the senior lab staff and the PI as appropriate.

Supervision Given

The candidate will train new lab members in cell culture-based work, biomolecular methods, and usage of lab equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute.

Undergraduate degree in Biomedical or Medical Science or equivalent preferred. Minimum of 3 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous documented experience with primary human cell or tissue culture is a prerequisite. Being comfortable handling and collecting animal tissue is required. A histological skill set is considered an asset. Excellent knowledge of biomolecular methods (ELISA, Western blot etc.) and in tissue engineering including organ-on-chip setups. Ability to work in a collaborative team setting and also to work independently as needed.