Biomanufacturing Technician, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute

Description

The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Biomanufacturing 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 Associate Director of Biomanufacturing at the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute and is part of the Riddell Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy (Riddell Centre). 

The mission of the Riddell Centre is to reduce the burden of cancer and improve patient survival through the rapid development and implementation of safe and effective immunotherapies. The Biomanufacturing Program supports this mission by producing high-quality immune cell therapeutics and supportive reagents for preclinical research, product development, and clinical translation.

The Biomanufacturing Technician is responsible for supporting the development, optimization, and scale-up of processes for manufacturing cell and virus therapy products. This role ensures adherence to cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) or GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) standards. Additionally, the technician will work collaboratively across the cell manufacturing and Quality Control labs to ensure the timely delivery of cell therapies to patients. 

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

• Process Development and Optimization: Assist in designing and executing experiments to develop and optimize processes for the production of cell and virus therapy products. Ensure experiments are well-documented, reproducible, and meet project goals
• Scale-Up Activities: Participate in scaling up processes from laboratory to clinical manufacturing scales. Ensure scalability, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance throughout the transition
• Manufacturing Support: Conduct the manufacturing of cell and virus therapy products, strictly adhering to established protocols, timelines, and regulatory requirements. Ensure the highest standards of quality and efficiency
• Quality Control (QC): Perform QC release testing to verify product quality and compliance with program policies, procedures, and regulatory standards. Ensure timely and accurate reporting of results
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive, detailed, and accurate records of all experiments, processes, and QC activities. Ensure compliance with appropriate cGxP
• Compliance and Safety: Ensure all activities comply with appropriate cGxP and safety regulations. Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of safety practices and quality systems within the biomanufacturing program
• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, to support the successful development and production of cell and virus therapy products. Foster a collaborative environment to achieve common goals.
  General Lab Duties
• Work collaboratively with Lab Management on purchasing of laboratory supplies and with Lab Management to procure supplies and equipment efficiently ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Immunology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field. Advanced degrees are preferred
• Minimum of 1 year of work or training experience in a biomedical research lab
• Proficiency in aseptic techniques, cell culture, and basic molecular and cell biology methods is required. Technical expertise in T cell activity assays and flow cytometry is an asset. Experience with bioreactors and downstream cell and virus processing techniques is desirable. Experience with cell manufacturing methods is an asset
• Willingness to learn Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and Good Documentation Practices (GDP) regulations, including relevant Health Canada, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) regulations and guidelines. Any existing knowledge in these areas is an asset
• Strong organizational and time management skills with meticulous attention to detail in documentation and process execution
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Openness and willingness to learn new techniques and adapt to evolving methodologies

Application Deadline:  October 4, 2024

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 1.

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 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

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.