Research Technician I

University Health Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive offers

HOOPP pension

Transit access

Flexible work environment

Development opportunities

Corporate discounts

Job summary

University Health Network in Toronto is seeking a Research Technician I to join the Histopathology Core at the STTARR Innovation Centre. You will manage multiple projects, perform paraffin microtome sectioning, and interact with customers while delivering written and oral summaries of work.

The ideal candidate has a BSc in Life Science, understands histology-lab procedures, and can work in a fast-paced team environment.

Qualifications

• Must have a BSc or equivalent in Life Science;
• Must have basic knowledge of animal anatomy;
• Basic knowledge of histology-pathology laboratory testing, techniques, methods and procedures;
• Basic knowledge and experience in FFPE microtome sectioning.
• Must have basic data entry skills;
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and keep up with rapidly changing daily routines;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team;
• Demonstrated conflict resolution, critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, prioritize workload, and complete assigned work within the requested timelines;
• Must possess exceptional communication skills (verbal, written and presentation) and be comfortable engaging and exchanging information with other members of the Histopathology Core and its constituency of users.
• Demonstrated knowledge of standard software (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).
• Demonstrated good attendance record;
• Ability to work independently and accurately under strict timelines
• Ability to work effectively as a team member

Responsibilities

• Main focus is to perform paraffin microtome sectioning on the incoming samples
• Sample receiving duties: communicate with users to understand work requests, accessioning, initial sample preparation
• Grossing/observations, embedding, H&E staining, special staining, and assisting the team
• Additional responsibilities may arise; training will be provided
• Maintain GLP recordkeeping, inventory, SOP compliance, safety procedures, and database/file maintenance
• Communicating project status to users/clients

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Independent work

Time management

Presentation skills

Data entry

Education

BSc or equivalent in Life Science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Description

UHN is Canada’s No. 1 hospital and the world’s No. 1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members. UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN is Canada’s No. 1 hospital and the world’s No. 1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members. UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto. UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and its only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality. www.uhn.ca

Job Description

Union: Non-Union

Number of Vacancies: 1

Replacement or New: Replacement

Site: STTARR, Allan Slaight Medical Innovation Labs (ASMIL)

Department: Research - STTARR

Reports to: Manager

Hours: 37.5 hr/week

Salary: $27.56 - $34.44 per hour

Status: Permanent Full-Time

Closing Date: August 31, 2026

Position Summary

The Research Technician I will be part of the histology team and join the Histopathology Core at the STTARR Innovation Centre. The ideal candidate must demonstrate the ability to manage multiple projects at once, must be able to work quickly and accurately and pay strict attention to detail. They must be adaptable and capable of working and leading in a team environment. In addition, they must be able to professionally and confidently interact with customers and users, as well as prepare and deliver written and oral summaries of work. They will be highly motivated and able to deliver to defined timelines, in collaboration with colleagues from the imaging, and image analysis groups.

Duties

• Main focus is to perform paraffin microtome sectioning on the incoming samples
• Sample receiving duties includes, but is not limited to, communicating with users to understand work request, accessioning, initial sample preparation (e.g. fixation status, generating labels, etc),
• Standard grossing and observations, Tissue grossing, embedding, routine Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining, special staining, and assisting the existing team with basic lab bench work.
• Additional responsibilities within the histopathology core’s scope of services might occasionally arise, appropriate training will be provided as needed.
• Good Laboratory practices (GLPs) in recordkeeping and to maintain an accurate samples inventory. Compliance with regulations, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and laboratory safety procedures, and maintenance of databases/files are required
• Communicating and updating with the user/client about the status of their project request

Qualifications

• Must have a BSc or equivalent in Life Science;
• Must have basic knowledge of animal anatomy;
• Basic knowledge of histology-pathology laboratory testing, techniques, methods and procedures;
• Basic knowledge and experience in FFPE microtome sectioning.
• Must have basic data entry skills;
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and keep up with rapidly changing daily routines;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team;
• Demonstrated conflict resolution, critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, prioritize workload, and complete assigned work within the requested timelines;
• Must possess exceptional communication skills (verbal, written and presentation) and be comfortable engaging and exchanging information with other members of the Histopathology Core and its constituency of users.
• Demonstrated knowledge of standard software (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).
• Demonstrated good attendance record;
• Ability to work independently and accurately under strict timelines
• Ability to work effectively as a team member

Additional Information

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly. At University Health Network (UHN), artificial intelligence technologies may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of candidates for this position.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.