Senior Research Technician: Large-Animal Spinal Cord Surgery

UBC; Electoral Area A; On-site; CAD 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

UBC is seeking a Research Technician/Assistant 4 to perform senior surgical tasks in large animal models for spinal cord injury research. The role includes overnight and weekend animal care, anesthesia monitoring, and involvement in protocol development.

The incumbent will refine techniques, ensure CCAC guidelines compliance, and collaborate with ICORD teams across facilities. Strong independence and mentoring abilities are required.

Qualifications

• Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and minimum four years of related experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) designation and RLAT (or RLATR) CALAS certification are preferred; a DVM degree is an asset.
• Hands-on experience with complex surgical procedures, preferably in large animal models.
• In-depth knowledge of veterinary best practices, CCAC guidelines, and ethical considerations in animal research.
• Experience providing perioperative care, anesthesia monitoring, and postoperative monitoring is preferred.
• Experience in designing and refining complex surgical and experimental protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and exercise sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Performs specialized and complex surgical procedures in large animal models with intraoperative support and post-operative care according to approved protocols.
• Provides anesthetic monitoring during surgical procedures and collects tissues for histological processing.
• Assists in refining surgical techniques and animal care practices to improve welfare and outcomes.
• Leads acute and post-operative care, including anesthesia recovery monitoring and postoperative treatments.
• Performs advanced procedures such as IV catheter placement, monitoring equipment operation, and imaging oversight.
• Participates in collecting data, processing samples, and contributing to experiment design and data quality.

Skills

Surgical procedures

Anesthetic monitoring

Animal handling

Perioperative care

Fluoroscopic imaging

Data collection and analysis

Independent judgment

Ethics compliance

Training and mentorship

Education

University degree in a relevant discipline or technical program

Tools

Anesthetic machines

Fluoroscopic imaging

Imaging devices

IV catheter setup

Autoclaves

Job description

UBC is seeking a Research Technician/Assistant 4 to perform senior surgical tasks in large animal models for spinal cord injury research. The role includes overnight and weekend animal care, anesthesia monitoring, and involvement in protocol development.

The incumbent will refine techniques, ensure CCAC guidelines compliance, and collaborate with ICORD teams across facilities. Strong independence and mentoring abilities are required.