Research Technician

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Research Technician to support experiments in immunology and virology. The role involves laboratory management, training students, and performing complex biological techniques. Ideal candidates will have strong organizational skills and relevant experience in a laboratory setting.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience with BSL2 pathogens and human cell culture.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques like CRISPR and genotyping is a benefit.

Responsibilities

• Oversee laboratory safety supplies and procedures.
• Maintain digital inventories for chemicals and biological materials.
• Perform experimental procedures involving various techniques.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Attention to Detail

Written Communication

Teamwork

Sterile Technique

Cell Culture

Education

Bachelor of Science in Immunology

Certified Laboratory Technician

Tools

PCR

Flow Cytometry

ELISA

Western Blot

Job description

Research Technician

Primary Purpose: To provide technical support and conduct experiments in cellular and molecular immunology and virology and basic laboratory management (ordering, maintain inventories, maintain equipment).

Nature of Work: The position reports the principal investigator, D. Burshtyn. The work will be located in Health Sciences and under the direction of the PI. The individual will need to work independently and as a member of a team. The work will involve a mix of routine and non-routine work spanning a wide range of cellular and molecular biology techniques and involve working with Biosafety Level 2 materials.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:
• Oversee laboratory safety supplies and procedures such as waste disposal.
• Support PI to maintain a safe laboratory environment including hands-on training of graduate and undergraduate students in laboratory techniques and keeping biosafety registries and biosafety plan up to date.
• Maintain digital inventories for chemicals and biological materials and safety sheets as required for compliance
• Order supplies for the research group
• Maintain general stocks for standard laboratory procedures (e.g. culture media prep).
• Perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment and liaise with outside technical supports as needed
• Maintain a large variety of cell lines and primary cell cultures
• Perform experimental procedures involving techniques such as transfection, viral transduction, flow cytometry, affinity purification of proteins, western blot, site-directed mutagenesis, genotyping.
• Amply and purify viral stocks.
• Assist with data analysis, figure and manuscript preparation.
• Participate in laboratory meetings

Education: A Bachelor of Science in a relevant discipline such as immunology, microbiology, biochemistry or cell biology or certified laboratory technician combined with relevant experience.

Licenses: Must possess or be willing to obtain certificates for: WHMIS, General Laboratory Safety, Biosafety, and Transport Dangerous Goods.

Experience: 3-5 years of experience working with BSL2 pathogens and human cell culture preferably human lymphocytes and experience with flow cytometry is required. Experience with molecular biology techniques such as CRISPR, ELISAs, PCR design or genotyping is a benefit. Demonstrated ability to trouble-shoot technical issues is an asset.

Skills: The position requires: strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to work independently; ability to work well in a team; good written communication skills for recording results and writing SOPs and protocols; strong communication skills to work as part of team; ability to train others. Ability to research and learn new techniques where skills are not already mastered training. A broad range of technical skills will be required: sterile technique and cell culture; basic molecular biology skills (agarose gels, PCR, mutagenesis, subcloning); basic protein biochemistry skills (protein purification, SDS-PAGE, western blot; ELISA).

Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to [e-mail]

Department:Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology
Status: Term 12 months with the possibility of extension
Employment Group: Research Positions - Non-union
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $31.39 - 43.96 per hour. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable):
Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 7
Posted Date: 5/15/2025
Closing Date: 6/15/2025
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location:On Campus

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by thedeybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.