Research Technician - Key Clinical & Cell-based Sample Processing

This position has a term length of 1 year plus 1 day, with the possibility of extension.

Location - This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

This position will be under direct supervision of Dr. Heather Armstrong at the University of Alberta. The position supports key clinical and cell-based sample processing, preparation of laboratory solutions, assisting with routine laboratory immunochemical and anaerobic microbe assays, advanced clinical specimen culture methods, and routine cell culture using established procedures, maintaining laboratory inventory, and performing other lab related duties as assigned (equipment maintenance, cleaning, training techniques to students and staff, presentations, and preparing manuscripts). 

The primary focus of this technician will be to assist with human and animal stool processing, RNA/DNA extractions for 16S and shotgun metagenomics, anaerobic microbiota cultures, cell culture experiments, and biochemical experiments (e.g., microscopy, flow cytometry, histopathology, ELISAs) investigating diet-microbiome-host interactions in the setting of IBD.

• EXPERIMENTAL - 70% - Performs routine lab assays with human and animal tissues, human and animal stool, anaerobic microbes, or cell lines with a particular focus on stool and tissues genomic extractions and library preparations for sequencing, sample preparations for multi-omics, and independently maintaining and culturing anaerobic microbes. Advanced experience with anaerobic cultures, sequencing preparation, biochemical assays (e.g., microscopy, flow cytometry, histopathology, ELISAs) and bioinformatics is an asset.

• MAINTENANCE - 10% - Operates/maintains lab equipment including anaerobic chambers, centrifuges, incubators, Qubit, histopathology equipment and microscopes.

• COMMUNICATION - 5% - Reads literature, data analysis, make graphs, PowerPoint presentations of results for lab meetings. It is a requirement to submit weekly progress reports on work being completed and to communicate clearly with other team members and industry technical support groups.

• CLEANING - 10% - Helps with organization, functioning of lab including basic lab cleanup and help with inventory, autoclaving, ordering of lab consumables/equipment.

• TRAINING - 5% - Assists supervisor with teaching scientific techniques to trainees.

• Minimum education BSc in Medicine, Physiology, Microbiology, or a related study area, including minimum 2-year independent experience with laboratory analysis techniques required 
• Experience with independently running and operating an anaerobic chamber and culturing live anaerobic microbes. 
• Experience with RNA/DNA extractions and library preparation for sequencing. 
• Experience with clinical sampling, histopathology, tissue sample processing, immunohistochemistry and/or immunofluorescence. 
• Experience with cell culture, and biochemical endpoint analysis including ELISA, flow cytometry, and qPCR. 
• Experience with statistical programs such as Graphpad Prism and computing programs such as Endnote, Word/WordPerfect, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Ability to independently adapt techniques, to plan and carry out experiments and procedures under general direction and to keep within budget and schedule guidelines. 
• Initiative and ability to master new and difficult techniques through further education or training. 
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team and receive constructive feedback. 
• Ability to train staff and students in complex techniques used in the workplace. 
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal. Prior involvement in writing manuscripts related to immunology and gastroenterology is an asset. 
• Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans 
• Course on Research Ethics (TCPS 2: CORE) training 

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume, cover letter, and list of publications.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.