Research Technician I - Histopathology, STARR Innovation Centre

University Health Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive offer packages

HOOPP pension plan

Transit access to site

Flexible work environment

Development opportunities

Corporate discounts

Job summary

University Health Network’s Histopathology Core at the STARR Innovation Centre seeks a Research Technician I to support pre-clinical and translational projects. You will receive, process, embed, section, stain, and document tissue specimens to enable high-quality histology and imaging workflows.

You will perform paraffin and frozen tissue sectioning, tissue embedding, routine H&E staining, and special stains, while maintaining GLP-compliant records and collaborating with researchers and core

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in life sciences or related field.
• Hands-on histology lab experience preferred.
• Experience with FFPE tissue processing and paraffin microtomy is advantageous.
• Experience with cryosectioning using a cryostat is preferred.
• Experience handling pre-clinical animal tissues, especially mouse, is preferred.
• Knowledge of histology and pathology techniques.

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 proper labeling and documentation.
• Perform tissue grossing, embedding and H&E staining, and special stains as needed.
• Handle and process pre-clinical animal tissue specimens, including mouse tissues.
• Maintain accurate lab records and sample inventories per GLP standards.
• Coordinate project workflows and timelines with researchers and core facility users.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs and safety requirements.

Skills

Histology experience

Animal anatomy knowledge

Paraffin sectioning

Cryosectioning

Lab record keeping

GLP familiarity

Education

BSc in Life Sciences

Job description

Research Technician I - Histopathology, STARR Innovation Centre

• Full-time
• Department: Research
• Compensation: CAD 54,951 - CAD 68,699 - yearly

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #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 it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

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.

Qualifications

• 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 accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

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.