Research Assistant/Tech 4 - Huntsman

The University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 62,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia seeks a Senior Research Technologist for the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative. This role involves leading animal research protocols, mentoring staff, and contributing to pioneering cancer research. Ideal candidates are collaborative, motivated, and committed to improving patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of related experience or equivalent education.
• Experience with complex surgical procedures on laboratory animals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee animal research protocols ensuring compliance.
• Conduct advanced animal research experiments and mentor junior staff.
• Manage procurement and maintenance of research animals and supplies.

Skills

Communication

Problem Solving

Team Collaboration

Education

University Degree in Relevant Discipline

Graduate Degree (Preferred)

Tools

Surgical Procedures

Animal Research Techniques

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4

Job Title

Research Assistant/Tech 4 - Huntsman

Department

Huntsman Laboratory MEDG | Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$5,220.98 - $6,124.46 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

May 21, 2025

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

Job End Date

Jun 1, 2026

This is a maternity leave replacement with an anticipated start date of June 2, 2025 and end date of June 1, 2026.

In your application please include (1) a cover letter, and (2) a CV or resume.

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

BC’s Gynecologic Cancer Initiative is a dynamic interdisciplinary team dedicated to pioneering research that transforms how we prevent, diagnose, treat and improve survivorship care for people with gynecological cancer. We’re looking for a Senior Research Technologist to drive forward our mission through the development and utilization of advanced animal models. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to cutting-edge research aimed at deepening our understanding of gynecologic cancers and innovating new treatments. As a pivotal team leader, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of cancer care. We’re looking for a highly motivated and self-directed individual who thrives as part of a collaborative, fast-paced environment with diverse priorities. If you take pride in making meaningful contributions to scientific advancements and are passionate about improving outcomes for cancer patients, we encourage you to apply.

Organizational Status

The Senior Research Technologist will report directly to Principal Investigators, Dr. David Huntsman and Dr. Yemin Wang. You will serve as the primary liaison for animal care facilities at the Jack Bell Research Centre and BC Cancer Research Institute, fostering collaboration with interdisciplinary teams across UBC, VCHRI, and BC Cancer to achieve strategic research objectives.

Work Performed

• Develop and oversee comprehensive animal research protocols and study records across projects, ensuring strict adherence to institutional guidelines and regulatory compliance
• Lead the preparation and amendment of animal protocols and annual renewals, providing summaries of animal usage to UBC quarterly and Canadian Council of Animal Care (CCAC) yearly.
• Ensure adherence to federal and university guidelines and policies on animal welfare, monitoring health, behavior and welfare of laboratory animals in accordance with CCAC standards.
• Chair and organize regular animal user meetings, overseeing logistics and documentation to foster collaboration and compliance.
• Maintain compliance of animal holding and procedure rooms with CCAC and the UBC Animal Care Committee standards.
• Design and conduct advanced animal research experiments including development of patient-derived xenograft models and genetically-modified mouse models, drug dosing and efficacy studies, and colony management (breeding, weaning and genotyping)
• Provide expert guidance, supervision, and training to junior staff and new team members in animal research techniques and welfare protocols.
• Mentor and train undergraduate and graduate students in molecular and cellular biology techniques, ensuring adherence to best practices in experimental procedures.
• Perform and oversee necropsies, blood sampling and complex surgical procedures for animal work.
• Maintain and expand technical expertise in relevant areas of animal research and cancer biology.
• Plan and execute the procurement and maintenance of animals, supplies and equipment critical for research activities. This includes negotiating contracts, assessing vendor performance, and ensuring cost-effectiveness while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Implement procurement strategies to optimize resource allocation.
• Lead the ordering process for general laboratory supplies and equipment, emphasizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Implement inventory management systems and streamline procurement processes to support uninterrupted research operations.
• Develop and oversee protocols for equipment maintenance, calibration, and repairs, ensuring equipment reliability and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Develop and manage the cancer cell line and primary tumor bank, overseeing the collection, storage, and distribution of samples to support ongoing research. Implement protocols for sample tracking, quality control, and data integrity to maintain the highest standards of research ethics and compliance.
• Implement and monitor quality control measures such as mycoplasma and short tandem repeat (STR) testing for cell lines, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements and best practices. Establish a robust documentation system for testing results and compliance records, facilitating audits and inspections with confidence.
  
  

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The incumbent is entrusted with significant judgment and responsibility in coordinating workflow and evaluating experimental results. While guidance is available from the Animal Research Centre (ARC) management team at BC Cancer Research Centre and Drs. David Huntsman/Yemin Wang, decisions must align with established protocols and best practices. Errors in judgment may lead to inaccurate data interpretation and could jeopardize research outcomes and funding. Continuous diligence and adherence to research standards are crucial to maintaining the integrity and success of our research initiatives.

Supervision Received

The Senior Research Technologist will leverage their experience in animal work to autonomously execute assigned tasks. Principal investigators will provide troubleshooting assistance as needed, ensuring seamless progress. Regular attendance at scheduled weekly lab meetings with the principal investigator is required, fostering collaboration and alignment with research objectives.

Supervision Given

The Senior Research Technologist will supervise and provide expert guidance and training to junior staff and new team members.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

• 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

• Demonstrated experience and proficiency in conducting complex surgical procedures on laboratory animals and managing transgenic animal colonies
• Willingness and availability to work on-call as essential personnel for animal-related duties, ensuring continuity of research protocols.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities, essential for conveying research findings, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and preparing regulatory documentation.
• Proven capability to analyze complex problems, identify crucial information, propose effective solutions, contributing to the success of research projects.
• Understanding of research project lifecycle. Familiarity with the entire research project lifecycle, from initial proposal development through to publication, ensuring adherence to best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a diverse, multidisciplinary team environment, fostering a culture of innovation and shared success.