Research Technician I - Histopathology, STARR Innovation Centre

Universityhealthnetwork; Toronto; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP pension

Transit access

Flexible work environment

Development opportunities

Corporate discounts

Job summary

University Health Network in Toronto seeks a Research Technician I to support the Histopathology Core at the STTARR Innovation Centre. The role involves receiving, processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, and documenting tissue specimens for histology and imaging workflows, contributing to translational research projects.

You will work closely with researchers and core facility users, performing paraffin and frozen sectioning, tissue grossing, and routine and special staining while ensuring

Qualifications

• BSc in Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Health Sciences, or related field.
• Experience with FFPE tissue processing and paraffin microtome sectioning.
• Experience with cryostat freezing tissue sectioning is preferred.
• Experience handling pre-clinical animal tissues, especially mouse tissues.
• Knowledge of histology and pathology techniques, methods, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine paraffin microtome sectioning of FFPE tissue samples.
• Perform cryosectioning/frozen tissue sectioning as required.
• Receive, accession, and prepare incoming tissue specimens with labeling and documentation.
• Perform tissue grossing, embedding, H&E staining, and special staining procedures.
• Handle and process pre-clinical animal tissue specimens, including mouse tissues.
• Maintain accurate lab records, sample inventories, and project documentation per GLP.
• Communicate with investigators regarding project requirements and timelines.
• Support additional histopathology core activities as needed, with training provided.

Education

BSc in Life Sciences

Tools

Microsoft Office

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 hours per week

Salary: $54,951 - $68,699 per annum

Status: Permanent Full-Time

Closing Date: November 19, 2026

Position Summary

The Research Technician I is a key member of the Histopathology Core within the STTARR Innovation Centre, supporting a broad range of pre-clinical and translational research projects. The position is responsible for receiving, processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, and documenting tissue specimens to support high-quality histological analysis and imaging workflows.

Working closely with researchers, core facility users, and members of the histology, imaging, and image analysis teams, the Research Technician performs paraffin and frozen tissue sectioning, tissue grossing, embedding, routine and specialized staining procedures, and specimen accessioning.

The role also supports the processing of pre-clinical animal tissues, including mouse specimens, while ensuring adherence to laboratory quality standards, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and established standard operating procedures.

The Research Technician contributes to the efficient operation of the Histopathology Core by maintaining accurate sample records, coordinating project workflows, monitoring specimen inventories, and providing timely updates to researchers regarding project status and deliverables. Through the delivery of high-quality histology services, this position supports scientific discovery and advances across a diverse portfolio of research initiatives.

Duties

• Perform routine paraffin microtome sectioning of FFPE tissue samples.
• Perform cryosectioning/frozen tissue sectioning as required.
• Receive, accession, and prepare incoming tissue specimens, including verification of fixation status, sample labeling, and documentation.
• Perform tissue grossing, embedding, routine Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining, and special staining procedures.
• Handle and process pre-clinical animal tissue specimens, including mouse tissues and organs.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, sample inventories, and project documentation in accordance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Communicate with investigators and core facility users regarding project requirements, sample status, and timelines.
• Support additional histopathology core activities as required, with training provided where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety requirements, SOPs, and quality standards.

Requirements

• BSc in Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Health Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Must have basic knowledge of animal anatomy; hands-on experience in a histology laboratory, pathology laboratory, core facility, or comparable wet lab environment strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience with FFPE tissue processing and paraffin microtome sectioning.
• Experience performing frozen tissue sectioning using a cryostat is strongly preferred.
• Experience handling and processing pre-clinical animal tissues, particularly mouse tissues, is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of basic mouse anatomy and tissue identification.
• Knowledge of histology and pathology laboratory techniques, methods, and procedures.
• Experience with tissue embedding, H&E staining, and special staining techniques is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate laboratory records and sample inventories.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally with researchers and laboratory users.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and basic data entry.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated good attendance record.

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.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accorda