Staff - Non Union Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3 Job Title Research Assistant / Technician 3 Department Viau Laboratory | Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences | Faculty of Medicine Compensation Range $4,567.04 - $5,385.67 CAD Monthly Posting End Date June 5, 2025 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date Aug 31, 2026 At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. Job Summary Located within the Life Sciences Centre and the Centre for Disease Modelling at UBC, the Viau laboratory employs a transgenic rodent model designed to study sex differences in immune, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to stress (E.g., Toews et al., Endocrinology 2022 and 2023). Viau Lab seeks a full-time technician that will be responsible for tasks associated with running the lab including conducting experiments, responsible for tasks associated with maintaining animal breeding and husbandry, upholding biosafety and ethics protocols, ordering consumables and small equipment. Some financial aspects of the job include tracking purchases, reconciling credit card purchases, mentoring students and other technical duties required to support the running of a physiological laboratory. Organizational Status Receives direction works under the supervision of the Principle Investigator, Dr. Victor Viau. Assists senior level staff or trainees with the design of experiments and general laboratory procedures. Works collaboratively with lab staff including students/trainees and other personnel in the Life Sciences Center. Work Performed Basic wet-lab and molecular biology techniques, including Westerns, DNA/RNA isolation/harvesting, and RT-PCR, in addition to enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) procedures. Neuroanatomical techniques, including tissue slicing, hybridization- and immuno-histochemical detection methods. Animal breeding and husbandry, blood sampling and tissue harvesting, minor surgical procedures and postoperative care. Responsible for training and demonstrating general laboratory procedures. Assist in managing the laboratory, ordering supplies and minor equipment for ongoing research. Maintaining inventory and updating animal care protocols as required. Assist in reconciling lab expenses purchased on UBC credit card. Other technical duties as required. Consequence of Error/Judgement Follows procedures and protocols as outlined by supervisor. Unusual problems are referred to supervisor. Impact of incorrect decisions is minimal. Supervision Received Initial supervision will be high, but once familiar with the lab routine, daily tasks will be carried out without supervision. Supervision will occur when new experiments or procedures occur. Minimum Qualifications: Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. - Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own - Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion Preferred Qualifications Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or Graduation from a technical college or institute. University graduate (B.Sc. in cell/molecular biology/biochemistry preferred). 3 years relevant experience in molecular biology laboratory required. Minimum of 3 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with small animal (rodent) research is highly preferred. Ability to follow and carry out instructions, and to resolve technical problems. Effective communication and organizational skills. The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world. Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together? Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.
