Histopathology Lab Technician and Instrument Specialist

Date Posted: 01/23/2024
Req ID: 35720
Faculty/Division: Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Department: Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00056059

Description:

About us:

Home to over 40 departments and institutes, the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine lies at the heart of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network and is a global leader in ground-breaking research and education, spanning clinical medicine, basic science and the rehabilitation sciences sectors.

Your opportunity:

The Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease is leading ground breaking research to understand neurodegenerative diseases at the molecular level. Our challenge is to change the course of these diseases – to prevent, eliminate, and ultimately repair the damage they cause. There is currently no cure, but there is hope and there is progress. Together, our scientists have an unparalleled track record of success, and we are confident that a day when far fewer people will suffer from devastating brain diseases is within our grasp.

As Histopathology Laboratory Technician and Instrument Specialist, you will support the Kovacs lab, focusing on research of human neurodegenerative disease. You will have the opportunity to use various techniques such as double immunolabelling, immunohistochemical and histochemical and RNA tissue detection, and Western blot. Additionally, you will be responsible for the handling of the current-state-of-the-art equipment including the Super resolution microscope, the automated quantitative pathology imaging system, the Halo software, and the spatial transcriptomics instrument.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Modifying experimental processes and performing experiments to support the research of neurogenerative diseases, including preparing histological sections and preparing grids for the cryogenic electron microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy
• Performing Histological processing of tissue, sectioning, staining and immunohistochemistry using automated immunostainer equipment.
• Collecting experimental data, verifying results and passing on findings.
• Providing detailed explanations and demonstrating procedures to students/employees on lab techniques, experimental procedures and protocols.
• Troubleshooting issues with lab equipment; coordinating routine maintenance of lab equipment.
• Overseeing day-to-day operational needs for equipment.
• Serving as a technical resource on the development of new laboratory protocols; developing manuals on best practices for lab operations.
• Training students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, collaborators, and other lab users on the safe operation of all lab equipment, ensuring compliance with all safety protocols.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum three years of relevant lab experience in a life sciences research setting, including modifying experimental processes and performing histopathology and immunohistochemistry technique processing of tissue, sectioning, and staining tissue and cell culture.
• Demonstrated experience with tissue processing, sectioning, immunohistochemical and histochemical techniques and RNA tissue detection methods.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting experimental results, trouble-shooting experiments, and managing conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in handling the Nikon N-STORM super resolution microscopy and various scientific analysis software.
• Skilled operational knowledge and maintenance of educational and advanced microscope systems.
• Demonstrated co-supervision of research projects and mentoring and training of undergraduate and graduate students.
• Experience with liaising with vendors, maintaining equipment, tracking and maintaining inventory and promoting safety compliance.
• Experience with basic safe handling of laboratory equipment and chemicals at Biohazard level 2.
• Advanced proficiency with MS Office Suite, and both Windows and Macintosh operating systems.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, ability to exercise initiative and deal effectively with other lab members including experience demonstrating general laboratory procedures to others.
• Strong team-oriented mindset. Ability to work closely with the PI's to ensure that the workflow and scientific direction of the labs align with strategic vision.
• Excellent organizational skills.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Cooperative
• Motivated self-learner
• Multi-tasker
• Problem solver
• Responsible

Closing Date: 01/31/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Grant - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 11 -- $73,748 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $94,310. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Engineering / Technical
Recruiter: Sharon Hung

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.