Research Technician, Human Performance Lab (HPL) - Faculty of Kinesiology

Description

The Human Performance Lab (HPL)  in the Faculty of Kinesiology is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Research Technician.

The Faculty of Kinesiology is one of the leading faculties of its kind in the world. The mission of the Faculty is to deliver excellence in research, education, and community programs related to human movement, sport, recreation, health, and wellness. With over 30 full-time academic faculty members, more than 120 graduate students, and numerous adjunct appointees and international visitors, the Faculty supports a diverse range of research programs across multiple disciplines.

The Human Performance Lab (HPL) is one of the primary research facilities in the Faculty, equipped with high tech and custom-made equipment to explore human mobility and longevity. From anatomy to muscle mechanics, physiology to motor control, biochemistry to biomechanics, at both the micro and macro levels, all aspects of the human body are explored in an integrated and multidisciplinary approach.

This full-time position will primarily operate within the HPL. The position reports to the Lab Manager, HPL. The successful candidate will support research across the Faculty, including providing administrative support and operating core facilities and shared lab equipment. In addition, the successful candidate must be able to support research in the areas of musculoskeletal biomechanics, muscle properties and mechanisms of contraction. This position requires excellent time management skills, the ability to adapt to shifting priorities, and the ability to learn new technologies and techniques as needed. The position also requires some flexible work hours given the complexity of the work, the need to support research programs, and the need to cover emergency alerts on evenings and weekends that may occur due to, for example equipment failures.

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

• Support the Lab Manager, HPL with major equipment purchases, including vendor selection, installation, and end-user training
• Make recommendations regarding the development of policies, processes, and standard operating procedures of core equipment
• Keep up to date with current scientific literature and UCalgary policies and guidelines for lab safety, ethics, operations, funding, and any other policies that impact the operation of labs and the HPL in general
• Work with the Lab Manager, HPL to complete onboarding of new trainees and faculty members, with a focus on lab safety requirements and OHS compliance
• Provide laboratory instruction and technical supervision to users of core equipment and lab space
• Act as a primary point of contact for users who are paying to use research facilities and equipment, provide training and supervision, and report usage to Lab Manger, HPL for billing purposes
• Together with Lab Manager, HPL, complete annual inspections in core labs and ensure ongoing compliance with OHS requirements
• As appropriate, participate as a representative on committees (ex. ISIC Building Users Committee, SRIC)
• Use good judgement to identify and resolve day-to-day technical and operational issues
• General laboratory duties may include equipment organization, maintenance and cleaning, inventory, and quality assurance
• Ability to deal with multiple simultaneous deadlines throughout the year
• Respectfully interact with research study participants, co-workers, supervisors, vendors, and members of the University community

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A graduate degree (MSc/PhD) with 1-3 years' experience in a relevant field such as kinesiology, biology, biomechanics, mechano-biology, or physiology
• Advanced knowledge of research systems including:
  • Laser microscope techniques, including confocal and multiphoton excitation microscopy
  • Live cell (muscle) imaging using non-laser illumination and excitation approaches
  • Surgical skills for small-animal biomedical research
  • Knowledge and experience in Biosafety Level 2 management and compliance
  • Multi-scale muscle mechanics experiments
  • Knowledge and experience in biomedical signal collection, software control and processing are required
  • Ability to maintain and repair selected equipment systems of personal expertise
• Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas will be an asset: 
  • single muscle fibre and myofibril experimentation
  • pre-clinical models of musculoskeletal injury/disease, and/or 
  • confocal and multi-photon excitation microscopy.
• Problem solving abilities and experience in scientific planning and experiment execution
• Knowledge of the university and research/laboratory processes and policies, core university systems (Chematix, IRISS) and OHS requirements

Application Deadline:  October 09, 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 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 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.