de Boer Labs - Research Assistant/Technician 3

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian research university is seeking a Research Assistant/Technician 3 in Vancouver for the de Boer Labs. The role involves conducting complex experiments related to genome regulation, performing data analysis, and training students. Ideal candidates will have experience in mammalian cell culture and related molecular techniques. This position supports significant academic research and offers a salary range of $4,567.04 - $5,385.67 CAD monthly.

Qualifications

• Completion of a relevant technical program or university degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex experiments involving mammalian cell culture.
• Assist senior staff in planning and troubleshooting projects.
• Conduct complex data analysis with minimal supervision.
• Write reports and assist with publications and grant applications.
• Provide training to undergraduate students and new technicians.
• Ensure implementation and enforcement of laboratory safety rules.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

DNA/RNA isolation/extraction

Data analysis

Equity, diversity, and inclusion

Education

Technical program or relevant university degree

Tools

Next generation sequencing

PCR

Flow cytometry

Job description

Overview

Staff - Non Union. Job Category: Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants. Job Profile: Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3. Job Title: de Boer Labs - Research Assistant/Technician 3. Department: de Boer Laboratory | School of Biomedical Engineering | Faculty of Medicine. Compensation Range: $4,567.04 - $5,385.67 CAD Monthly. Posting End Date: October 2, 2025. Job End Date: June 30, 2026. How to Apply: Applications should be submitted through the UBC portal.

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

For inquiries regarding this position, contact Dr. Carl de Boer at [e-mail].

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from groups marginalized under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

UBC is committed to attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce to support excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students.

Job Summary

The UBC Faculties of Medicine and Applied Science have partnered to create the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME). The School is a nucleus for education and training, research, and innovation in biomedical engineering, creating new knowledge, programs, and translating research. It aims to transform health care outcomes through integrative solutions across engineering, medicine, and biology, and aspires to be a global leader in biomedical engineering research, education and translation. The SBME has two locations on Vancouver’s campus: the Gordon B Shrum building and the Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). More information: https://www.bme.ubc.ca/

A temporary full-time Research Assistant/Technician 3 position is available within the de Boer Lab located at the UBC Vancouver campus in the Gordon B Shrum building. Possibility of extension depends on research funds and performance. The lab’s goal is to understand genome regulation to predict gene regulation from DNA sequence and how mutations affect regulation and disease. The work focuses on creating datasets to learn how to go from DNA sequence to gene regulation.

The primary goals are to create mammalian cell libraries containing different synthetic regulatory DNA sequences, including developing induced pluripotent stem cell lines and measuring regulatory activity. The incumbent will perform highly skilled tasks such as optimizing and scaling up mammalian cell transfections and other cellular and molecular biology techniques as required.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Principal Investigator and is supervised by senior researchers in the lab.

Responsibilities

• Performs complex experiments involving mammalian cell culture, independently or with lab members, including human pluripotent stem cell maintenance, expansion, and characterization.
• Assists senior staff in planning, organizing, and troubleshooting projects and participating in complex research activities, including: genetic engineering of mammalian cells (optimizing and scaling up transfection), next generation sequencing, handling high molecular weight DNA, and standard molecular and cell biology techniques (PCR, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, microscopy, cloning, isolation/extraction and characterization of DNA/RNA, gel electrophoresis).
• Conducts complex data analysis with minimal supervision.
• Writes reports, presents research results at lab meetings, and assists with writing publications and grant applications.
• Provides training to undergraduate students, new and lower-level technicians in the use of equipment, techniques and procedures.
• Coordinates, monitors and ensures implementation and enforcement of laboratory safety rules and procedures.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Makes professional decisions and recommendations on all aspects of research work. Errors could impact the effectiveness, reputation, collaboration, and financial status of the research project, and inappropriate judgment could affect research results and funding.

Supervision

Supervision Received: Works under general supervision of senior researchers, with guidance from the Principal Investigator. Receives specific instructions on unusual problems.

Supervision Given: May oversee and direct the work of one or two employees at lower classifications, responsible for accuracy, production, and control of the work unit.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum of three years 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 equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates with a background in molecular biology or a related field are preferred.
• Candidate will be a passionate, self-driven, independent thinker with excellent organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills, and a strong work ethic.
• Preference will be given to candidates with skills in mammalian cell culture, particularly stem cell culture.
• Other preferred skills include: NGS sequencing, molecular cloning, handling high molecular weight DNA, flow cytometry, and genome editing.