Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Laboratory Assistant

Job Title

Laboratory Assistant (Bromme Lab)

Department

Research | Faculty of Dentistry

Compensation Range

$3,440.00 - $3,647.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

August 25, 2024

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

Job End Date

Feb 28, 2025

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
This is a full-time salaried position for 6 months with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability. The position is required to provide support to a biochemistry/molecular biology laboratory. The lab is composed of undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral research fellows, a research associate, and the principal investigator. The lab assistant will contribute to ongoing research projects focusing on the characterization of human protease mutants.

Organizational Status
The lab assistant will report directly to the PI or the research associate.

Work Performed

• Assists in daily laboratory maintenance, cleaning, sterilization, and inventory.
• Replenishes stock solutions of chemicals.
• Carries out experiments to clone, express, and characterize mutant proteins in a yeast expression system.
• Assists with ordering research materials.
• Participates in lab meetings and provides regular updates on experiments conducted.
• Disposes of hazardous and biomedical waste.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The lab assistant helps with day-to-day research activities and will be required to follow standard operating procedures. Consequences of inappropriate actions could lead to damage of expensive equipment, lengthy delays in the research programs, and the loss of valuable and irreplaceable research samples and data. Improper handling of hazardous chemicals and biological materials could cause bodily harm. If errors occur, the lab tech would acknowledge these as a lab book entry and repeat the experiment as required.

Supervision Received
Receives detailed instructions on the assignment of new duties from the PI or research associate. Routine work is carried out under general supervision after completion of training. Troubleshooting and unusual occurrences are referred to the supervisor.

Supervision Given
None.

Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Education/Work Experience

High school graduation or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Undergraduate BSc degree in laboratory science preferred.

Skills

Technical expertise in site-directed mutagenesis required.

Experience in protein expression using the Pichia system is required.

Background foundational knowledge in protein purification and protease characterization beneficial.

Ability to operate a light and confocal microscope.

Fine motor skills required for accurate tissue processing and staining procedures.

Ability to handle fresh and archival specimens and biohazardous materials.

Ability to keep excellent records of the experiments.

Ability to follow policies, procedures, and instructions.

Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.

Effective organizational and multi-tasking skills.

Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with a diversity of people.

Computer skills required including Microsoft Office as well as image processing and analysis software.

Completion of chemical and biosafety courses at UBC.

Ability to work both independently and within a collaborative team environment.