Research Assistant Technician

The University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Canada is seeking a Research Assistant Technician to assist in an immunology research lab. The role involves supporting various research projects, overseeing experiments, and maintaining mouse models. Candidates should have relevant technical training and experience with laboratory techniques such as flow cytometry and molecular biology. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills are essential. This position offers a full-time contract with competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Completion of a relevant technical program or degree required.
• Minimum of three years related experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Assist with experiments and analyses in an immunology lab.
• Design and execute molecular cloning experiments.
• Maintain mouse colonies and assist with in vivo studies.

Skills

Multi-colour flow cytometry

Flow cytometry analysis

Cell culture

Molecular biology

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Relevant technical program or university degree

Tools

FlowJo

Graphpad Prism

Immunohistochemistry equipment

Confocal microscopes

Job description

Research Assistant Technician page is loaded

Research Assistant Technician

Apply locations UBC Off-Campus Hospital Sites time type Full time posted on Posted 6 Days Ago job requisition id JR21726 Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Research Assistant Technician

Department

Levings Research Lab | Department of Surgery | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$4,567.04 - $5,385.67 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

August 6, 2025

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

Job End Date

August 31, 2026

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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

This position will be responsible for a number of duties to assist in the overall functioning of an immunology research laboratory and provide support in research projects related to developing regulatory T cell therapies for application in autoimmunity. The research will involve a variety of common techniques including, but not limited to, cellular immunology, flow cytometry, ELISA, general molecular biology, cell and gene engineering, biochemistry, and cellular immunology. The incumbent will also be involved in the oversight of multiple in vivo mouse models of disease. The Research Assistant Technician will maintain important mouse colonies, assist with various experimental procedures, such as endpoint tissue collection and their subsequent analyses. The lab technician will also be responsible for training new staff and students, teaching them new skills and procedures to maintain a safe lab environment.

Organizational Status

The UBC Faculty of Medicine Department of Surgery educates students at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels, and pursues research to make innovative advancements in knowledge and practice to improve health. The Department consists of more than 400 physicians, surgeons, scientists and educators and over 70 administrative, research and technical staff in nine divisions distributed across British Columbia. Specialty training programs are offered in Cardiac Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Otolaryngology, Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Thoracic Surgery and Vascular Surgery. The Department is also home to the Branch for Global Surgical Care (BSC).

The Research Assistant Technician reports directly to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Megan Levings, however, the incumbent may take direction from senior members of the laboratory. The TRA 3 will interact closely with members of the supervisor’s laboratory as well as those in other laboratories at BC Child & Family Research Institute (BCCHRI) on the BC Children's Hospital campus.

Work Performed

• Assist with the planning, execution and analysis of experiments performed in the lab.

• Design, execute, and analyze a variety of functional immune cell based assays. Experiments and assays performed include cell culture, flow cytometry analysis, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting

• Design and execute molecular cloning and gene expression experiments. Techniques include PCR, restriction enzyme digests, gel electrophoresis, ligation, bacterial transformation, plasmid isolation, and sequencing preparation

• Perform complex experiments to engineer and modify immune cells to be conductive for cell therapy. Techniques include retroviral and lentiviral transduction.

• Receive and process human and mouse tissue for experimental use. Samples will include blood and organs, such as spleen or other lymphoid tissues

• Design and perform visual analyses of isolated tissues using immunohistochemistry. Techniques include sample preparation and sectioning, immunostaining, and proficiency in operating fluorescence and confocal microscopes.

• Assist with analyses of various in vivo models:

  • Evaluate the efficacy of engineered mouse immune cell products in transplant and/or diabetic mouse models.

  • Evaluate the efficacy of human immune cell products in humanized mouse models

• Maintain various mouse colonies. Technician will be responsible for monitoring the health and behaviour of animals, maintaining accurate records of animal health and care, receiving/transferring animals from other facilities, breeding, and weaning.

• Perform procedures on mice for in vivo studies, including assisting in surgeries, long-term monitoring of experimental cohorts, collection of mouse tissues, and blood sampling

• Analyze and present complex data to other lab members and the Principal Investigator.

• Develop and optimize protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for developing functional research assays to continually improve lab research

• Work with trainees and other laboratory staff and troubleshoot procedures if needed

• Assist with training of new students and staff

• Assist with laboratory maintenance duties, including the general organization and upkeep of the laboratory, and ensure safety and ethical research standards are maintained and followed.

• Maintain records of work performed and report to the Principal Investigator.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Working Conditions

The work will be performed primarily on the 4th floor in an open-concept research laboratory at the BCCHRI Translational Research Building. Chemical fume hoods, tissue culture facilities, freezers, fridges, bench top equipment, core facilities and safety items (eyewash, shower, fire extinguishers, spill and first aid kits) are located in the lab or within the BCCHRI.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position works independently, exercising discretionary judgment and tact. The incumbent is expected to work under limited supervision and exercise judgment and initiative in duties and responsibilities.

The incumbent needs to pay attention to details, be aware of pitfalls and willing to repeat tasks if necessary. Many of the procedures will require following protocols already in place; however, there will be the occasion for protocol development and there is room for innovative thinking to improve upon existing protocols and to provide input into the direction of research projects.

Errors in judgment may result in insufficient progress of research projects, thereby adversely affecting funding for studies. Inappropriate handling of interactions and communications can create embarrassment for the Lab and Division in dealings with faculty, students, University, affiliated hospitals, patients, business affiliates, and the public.

Supervision Received

The Principal Investigator, Dr. Megan Levings provides overall supervision of this role.

Supervision Given

None.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and at least three years’ related experience are required, 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 enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Experience with multi-colour flow cytometry, creating antibody staining panels, experience of working with various flow cytometers will be an asset.

• Knowledge and proficient in using analysis programs to evaluate and present flow cytometry data, such as FlowJo and Graphpad Prism

• Experience in handling and maintaining cell lines.

• Experience in immune cell culture, particularly with conventional and regulatory T cells

• Knowledge of molecular biology, plasmid preparation, electroporation, primer design, performing qPCR.

• Proficient in preparing samples for immunohistochemistry – sample preservation, sectioning, antibody panel design and staining

• Trained and skilled in usage of fluorescence and confocal microscopes. Ability to analyze visual data will be an additional asset

• Experience in modifying, performing and trouble-shooting complex experiments using a variety of in vivo or in vitro systems.

• Experience working with viruses in a level 2+ facility requiring enhanced safety procedures

• Trained and certified in animal handling. Comfortable with basic mouse health monitoring. Advanced certification or knowledge in high level techniques (ex. blood collection) is valued

• Effective interpersonal and organizational skills are required.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team environment is required.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule and additional hours occasionally on weekends, evenings and early mornings, as required.

Similar Jobs (2)

Translational Cardiovascular Research Technician

locations UBC Off-Campus Hospital Sites time type Full time posted on Posted 5 Days Ago

SCI Biobank Technician

locations UBC Off-Campus Hospital Sites time type Full time posted on Posted 13 Days Ago

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated 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, and/or Indigenous person.

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

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at [e-mail] .