Position Overview

The Department of Physiology & Pharmacology in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Technician. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

This position reports to the Principal Investigator.

The Research Technician's primary purpose is to be responsible for the technical operation and maintenance of the organoid cell culture platform (Human Organoid Innovation Hub; HOIH) of the Snyder Institute, under the supervision of the platform Director. This will include generation of organoids and maintenance of cell cultures.  The technician will work closely with and receive direction from the HOIH facility manager on day-to-day operations of the platform.  They will work on a variety of research projects requiring mouse or human primary intestinal epithelial cells.  The technician will learn and implement new technologies as they develop.  The technician may support other research projects by providing knowledge, skills, and on-the-job training to others.

Position Description

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

• Works with and takes direction from the HOIH director and facility manager
• Generate and maintain cultures of primary cells from mouse tissue and human biopsies to be used in various research projects
• Maintain cultures of engineered cells for the preparation of conditioned media for organoid culture
• Follow standard operating procedures for the preparation, use and storage of 2D and 3D cultures of primary epithelial cells (organoids) from mouse intestine and human intestinal biopsies
• Order supplies required for the organoid platform and maintain platform inventory
• Assist in experiments involving these primary cell cultures
• Attend and participate in regular lab meetings
• Seek to improve techniques and procedures to generate and maintain primary cell cultures
• Interact with faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows and other staff in a professional and collegial manner
• Responsible for repairs of equipment, ensuring safety compliance
• Oversees reliable and safe operation of all laboratory equipment for various users, including stocking of all necessary materials and supplies
• Keeps laboratory and work area clean and safe; ensures compliance with safety regulations
• Establishes and maintains effective, productive relationships with staff, peers, immediate supervisor and senior management, and with the campus community and external partners
• Manages own time effectively and ensures immediate reports-to manager is kept informed of activities and progress of work
• Demonstrates strong communication, team and customer service skills, and an ability to exercise judgment within established guidelines
• Extensive understanding, continued learning and development of safety codes, standards, and systems related to work in a biomedical research laboratory where chemical hazards and biohazards may exist
• Obtains and maintains human ethics certification based on the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2)

Qualifications / Requirements:

• BSc or MSc in the biological or life sciences
• Minimum 2 years research experience in a wet lab environment
• Experience involving mouse models and mammalian cell culture techniques is essential
• Knowledge of theory and practical application of technical procedures and techniques related to cell culture
• Experience with managing research finances and accounts
• Willingness to work with mice and with human tissue samples
• Experience with routine microscopy
• Ability to provide technical support for other team members through advice on technical lab issues
• Must be open to learning and development, and be willing to accept new challenges and assignments
• Understanding of safety codes and standards related to specialization
• Ability to operate and maintain technical equipment related to cell culture
• Demonstrated communication, organization, problem solving, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of and compliance with human and animal ethics regulations, including experience with the handling, storage and shipping of human tissues
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), GraphPad, Adobe Illustrator, internet usage
• Knowledge of University core business systems is desirable

Application Deadline:  February 7, 2023

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.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase I.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information visit Careers in the Cumming School of Medicine.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, 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 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

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