Laboratory Technician, Microbiome Therapeutics

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Calgary’s Department of Critical Care Medicine invites applications for a Laboratory Technician. This full-time fixed-term role (about 1 year) supports a translational program focused on live biotherapeutic products derived from the human microbiome.

The technician will perform routine and high-complexity tasks, including anaerobic work, media prep, nucleic acid extraction, and routine bacteriological characterization, reporting to the CCMT Program Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology or related field.
• Hands-on bacteriology: aseptic technique, media prep, culture, isolation, enumeration.
• Molecular biology techniques: nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, electrophoresis.
• Experience with bacterial cloning and genetic manipulation is preferred.
• Experience with anaerobic culture techniques or anaerobic chamber operation is a plus.
• Exposure to gut microbiome research or live biotherapeutic product development is an asset.
• Familiarity with sequencing workflows (16S rRNA, WGS) is a plus.
• Good record-keeping and data management skills; team-oriented work style.

Responsibilities

• Culture, isolate, and maintain anaerobic/facultative bacteria from human stool materials.
• Perform molecular biology procedures: DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequencing prep.
• Carry out bacterial cloning and genetic manipulation as directed.
• Characterize isolates by phenotypic and genotypic methods.
• Support cell banking, inventory, and strain registration in registries.
• Maintain detailed records of protocols, data, and analyses.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Molecular biology

Bacteriology

PCR/qPCR

Data management

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology or related discipline

Master's degree or relevant laboratory experience

Tools

Anaerobic chamber

Cryopreservation

Genomic DNA/RNA extraction

Sequencing library preparation

Job description

Description

The Department of Critical Care Medicine in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Laboratory Technician. This Full-time Fixed Termposition is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

This position reports to the CCMT Program Manager and supports a translational research and development program focused on live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) derived from the human microbiome.

The technician will perform routine tasks of moderate to high complexity and contribute to coordinating laboratory operations. Examples include (but are not limited to) anaerobic culture and isolation of commensal bacteria, preparation of media, cryopreservation and biobanking of isolated, nucleic acid extraction and routine bacteriological characterization

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Culture, isolate, and maintain strictly anaerobic and facultative bacteria from human stool and derived materials, including work in an anaerobic chamber and preparation of reduced and selective media
• Perform molecular biology procedures including genomic DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, plasmid preparation, restriction digestion and ligation, transformation, and sequencing library preparation
• Carry out bacterial cloning and genetic manipulation (e.g. plasmid construction, conjugation or electroporation-based transformation, mutant construction and verification) as directed
• Characterize isolated by phenotypic and genotypic methods (e.g. growth kinetics, substrate utilization, antimicrobial susceptibility, 16S rRNA and whole-genome sequencing)
• Support cell banking activities, including cryopreservation, inventory management, and accurate registration of strains within the CCMT strain registry and sample tracking systems
• Maintain detailed records of experimental protocols, raw data, and analyses to support publications, regulatory submissions, and quality documentation
• Maintain and monitor laboratory equipment (anaerobic chamber, incubators, centrifuges, freezers, etc) including routine performance checks and service coordination
• Draft, maintain, and follow SOPs and monitor key laboratory practices, inventory, and consumable ordering
• Provide aid in the training and supervision of students and other members of the laboratory
• Adhere to all University of Calgary policies and regulatory requirements, and to biosafety standards including the handling of human-derived material and Containment Level
• Identify professional development needs and skill priorities

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology or a related discipline is required. A masters degree or equivalent laboratory experience is an asset
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in bacteriology, including aseptic technique, media preparation, culture, isolation and enumeration, is required
• Demonstrated experience in molecular biology techniques (e.g. nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, electrophoresis) is required
• Experience with bacterial cloning and genetic manipulation (plasmid construction, transformation, mutant generation and verification) is strongly preferred
• Experience with anaerobic culture techniques and/or experience in anaerobic chamber operation is an asset
• Experience with gut microbiome research, commensal or fecal-derived isolated, or live biotherapeutic product development is an asset
• Familiarity with sequencing workflows (16s rRNA amplicon and/or whole-genome sequencing library preparation) is an asset
• Exposure to GMP, GLP, or other quality-controlled environments, including SOP-driven documentation, is an asset
• Strong record-keeping and data management skills, with careful attention to detail
• Must be able to work effectively as part of a team and to manage independent tasks with limited supervision
• Intermediate to advanced skills in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of University or Industry research environments is an asset
• WHMIS and Biosafety training (or willingness to complete upon hire)

Application Deadline: October 22, 2026

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 1.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([e-mail]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.