Research Assistant /Technician 1

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

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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
The technician will conduct advanced imaging and analysis of gut tissues, with a focus on host-microbiota interactions in health and disease and conducting animal experiments. They will be trained in histological preparation, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), lectin staining, and high-resolution confocal microscopy to visualize the spatial organization of the microbiota and host features such as mucus layers and epithelial integrity. The role includes quantitative analysis of microbial biogeography and host-microbe interfaces using custom image analysis pipelines, and integration of imaging data with physiological and immunological readouts from murine models. This work will contribute to projects investigating mucosal barrier disruption, microbiota resilience, and environmental perturbations such as osmotic stress, with relevance to inflammatory bowel disease and microbiota-based therapeutics.

In addition, the technician will contribute to projects investigating the ecology, cultivation, and genetic tractability of beneficial gut commensals, including Muribaculaceae and Bacteroides species. Responsibilities will include supporting cultivation optimization, strain isolation and characterization, microbial community analyses, and development of microbiota-based technologies. The position will also involve analysis of microbiome sequencing datasets, microbial metabolism, and environmental perturbations affecting microbiota resilience, including osmotic stress and nutrient availability. This work will contribute to the development of next-generation microbiome interventions, engineered microbial systems, and microbiota-based monitoring platforms.

Organizational Status
The individual will report directly to the Principal Investigator (Dr. Tropini) weekly. Some work with a senior graduate student or post-doctoral fellow. Will initially work under close supervision but is expected to work with minimal supervision once proficiency in the duties assigned has been established. 

Work Performed

• Perform histological processing of murine gut tissues, including fixation, embedding, sectioning, and staining.
• Perform bioinformatics analysis of microbiome and imaging data.
• Conduct advanced imaging experiments using fluorescence microscopy and high-resolution confocal microscopy to visualize host–microbiota spatial relationships.
• Apply specialized techniques such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), lectin staining, and immunofluorescence to assess microbial localization, mucus structure, and epithelial integrity.
• Perform quantitative image analysis using established and custom image analysis pipelines to evaluate microbial biogeography and host–microbe interfaces.
• Integrate imaging data with physiological, microbiological, and immunological readouts from murine models.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, organize datasets, and contribute to data interpretation and presentation for meetings, reports, and publications.
• Assist with general laboratory organization, reagent preparation, and equipment maintenance as required.
• Support onboarding of new lab members by introducing laboratory safety practices and standard operating procedures, and provide limited guidance to students or volunteers when needed.
• Culture and maintain anaerobic gut bacterial isolates, including Muribaculaceae, Bacteroides, and other commensal microorganisms.
• Assist in optimization of microbial growth conditions, strain preservation, lyophilization, and large-scale cultivation workflows.
• Perform molecular biology and microbial genetics techniques, including DNA extraction, PCR, cloning, strain verification, and characterization of engineered microbial strains.
• Analyze microbiome datasets, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics data.
• Support development and testing of microbial biosensors and synthetic biology tools for monitoring gut environmental conditions.
• Contribute to experiments investigating microbiota resilience, microbial colonization dynamics, and host–microbiota interactions under environmental perturbations.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Work will be checked by the Principal Investigator and discussed in weekly meetings, and as needed. Errors or inappropriate decisions will primarily impact research progress (milestones), and measures such as frequent meetings with the faculty member to avoid such occurrences will be taken. If an error occurred, valuable reagents, research time, and money could be lost. BSL2 and chemical hazards requires proper adherence to safe practices or may risk infection or harm to self and/or other lab members. 

Supervision Received
Initially, detailed instructions (i.e., established protocols and/or direct contact with the Principal Investigator, Postdoc, or Senior Graduate students) will be provided for all experiments and tasks. General supervision will then be given, with direct supervision for new experiments or where problems arise. Once familiar with the techniques, there will be minimal daily supervision unless needed or requested. 

Supervision Given
Introduction of new research group members to lab safety and general operating procedures. No ongoing supervision of research group members is expected, but may provide some instruction to volunteers, undergraduate or graduate students. 

Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation and a minimum one year of related experience 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

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute. B.Sc. in Microbiology or Biology preferred, with at least 3 years of experience, or M.Sc. in Microbiology (or related field). Minimum of 3 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with pathogenic bacteria Risk Group 2 and gnotobiotic mouse models is essential. Current UBC certification with Biosafety and Chemical Safety required.
• Experience with PCR, RT PCR, molecular biology, tissue culture, protein gels, DNA gels and general microbiology techniques is required.
• Experience with FACS, confocal microscopy and other fluorescent detection methods is an asset.
• Experience with anaerobic microbiology, bacterial cultivation, microbiome sequencing analyses, microbial genomics, bioinformatics, or synthetic biology is highly desirable.
• Experience with image analysis software, R/Python-based data analysis, metagenomics, transcriptomics, or microbial strain engineering would be considered an asset.
• Must be able to follow and carry out instructions from Principal Investigator.
• Must be able to carry out responsibilities independently.
• Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Interest and enthusiasm for scientific research.
• Excellent record keeping and documentation skills.