Biology Lab Technician and Core Facility Coordinator

uwaterloo; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Waterloo is seeking a Laboratory Core Facility Technician within the Faculty of Science - Biology - Technicians to oversee daily operation and renewal of core facilities and instruments, and to support undergraduate lab components.

You will interact with faculty, staff and students, calibrate equipment, manage bookings, order materials, and help train users, while ensuring safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience with core facility operations and instrument maintenancepreferred.
• Ability to calibrate and troubleshoot laboratory equipment.
• Familiarity with safety procedures and WHMIS requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation and long-term planning of core facilities and instruments.
• Interact with users (faculty, staff, students) to assess needs and troubleshoot issues.
• Prepare materials for undergraduate labs and assist instructors with new experiments.

Skills

Instrument operation

Troubleshooting

Safety awareness

Teaching assistance

Documentation

Tools

Flow cytometer

Sequencers

Liquid handler

Lyophilizer

Microscopes

Autoclaves

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID: 2026-02722

Time Type: Full time

Employee Group: Staff

Job Category: Laboratory Support

Employment Type: Permanent

Department: Faculty of Science - Biology - Technicians

Hiring Range: $72,523.53 - $90,654.42

Posting Information

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is September 17, 2026 at 11:59PM.

Job Description

Primary Purpose

Under the direction of the Department of Biology core instrument committee, oversees and provides support for the day-to-day operation and longer term planning of upkeep/renewal of core facilities and instruments. Interacts with users (faculty, staff and students) to assess experimental needs and troubleshoot technical issues. The incumbent is also equally responsible for developing and ensuring the smooth and successful execution of assigned laboratory components for undergraduate courses, in consultation with the Instructor and/or Faculty member responsible for each course.

Key Accountabilities

Core Facility Support

• Maintain and safely operate equipment under the jurisdiction of the Department of Biology core instrument committee. Examples of instruments/equipment include flow cytometer, sequencers, liquid handler, lyophilizer, molecular imaging, microscopes, freezers, incubators, autoclaves, liquid nitrogen dispensing
• Ensure that all equipment is calibrated.
• Create and maintain a list of service and infrastructure requests by faculty members and users
• Provide recommendations on service contracts and the repair and renewal of core instruments and facilities. Acquire specifications and quotes from suppliers
• Train users on the safe and appropriate operation of instruments
• Oversee access to core facilities by assigning security codes to users
• May serve as the technician representative on the Department of Biology core instrument committee
• Monitor and troubleshoot the departmental freezer alarm system to ensure that all freezers linked into the system are operational. Act as the first point of contact when problems occur, and will also provide support and guidance when new users are identified
• Order and distribute scientific materials to researchers
• Update website content and monitor on-line booking portal

Course Work

• Prepare and provide requisite materials (e.g., media, reagents, cultures, specimens) for laboratory offerings (including student follow-ups as requested) for assigned courses, including laboratory equipment for the initial and any follow-up laboratory sessions for particular experiments
• Clean-up of the laboratory space with the appropriate handling and disposal techniques, including the disposal of hazardous materials at the end of each laboratory exercise
• Demonstrate proper and safe operation of equipment
• Assist instructors or faculty members with the development of new experiments for teaching and research
• In consultation with Instructors and/or faculty members, trouble-shoot and/or update existing experiments to improve pedagogy
• Recommend changes, revisions and corrections to student lab manuals
• Create and maintain information related to the course laboratory function and operation which may serve as a guide for subsequent offerings
• Service teaching equipment and maintain records
• Support Teaching Assistants during lab sessions to trouble-shoot technical issues as they arise and/or explain the principles behind experiments

Administrative Duties

• Process marks for undergraduate courses (tutorials, labs, midterms and finals) including: compiling lab and tutorial marks, coordinating grading (e.g., Markbox), providing statistical summary of student outcomes for each course, and calculating and submitting final grades to the Registrar
• Process TA evaluations for analysis at the end of each term
• Process chargebacks for Core Facility users each term
• Maintain chemical inventory & associated safety data sheets
• Source and order laboratory and preparation room maintenance supplies
• In consultation with instructors and faculty member(s) provide recommendations and costing to Associate Chair for equipment to improve pedagogy
• Establish and maintain liaison with sales representatives for technical and price update

Safety

• Maintain personal certifications as required by Safety Office
• Update posted safety procedures including WHMIS, hazardous waste disposal etc. so that they are current
• Maintain equipment certifications and the associated records
• Prepare and maintain current Standard Operating Procedures (