Lab Technician (2-Year Term)

Date Posted: 05/23/2024
Req ID: 37442
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Department: Institute of Biomedical Engineering
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00055918

Description:

About us:

The Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) is a multidisciplinary research community where investigators across engineering, medicine and dentistry collaborate to develop innovative solutions that address global challenges in human health. Located in the heart of Canada’s largest health-care research network, our faculty offers quality education to students who receive training in biomedical and clinical engineering. These highly experienced faculty have been involved in launching more than 20 start-up companies and driving three major biomedical engineering commercialization ventures.

Your opportunity:

The Sefton lab is a biomaterials lab with a focus on the “bio” – the interactions with the host environment, typically in-vivo in mice. We are focused on a material, MAA-PEG, that causes blood vessels and nerves to grow through modulation of the inflammatory response. We are using this material to deliver insulin producing beta cells subcutaneously to benefit, eventually, those living with diabetes. We are also engaged in studies with a view to understanding why this material results in vessels and nerves.

The primary focus of this position is to assist in the beta cell delivery project. Some studies to understand the mechanism of action of the material may also be involved. You will be involved in isolating islets from mice, assessing their function, transplanting them into recipient mice and monitoring the impact on blood sugar and other parameters including inflammatory responses. You will also be exploring improvements to the material and assessing the impact of those improvements. You will be reporting to Professor Sefton and working with a postdoctoral fellow and a research associate in the lab.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Constructing proof of concept experiments to test different elements of the process.
• Collecting experimental data, verifying results and passing on findings.
• Preparing draft statistical reports and summaries from data collected.
• Applying established standards when providing animal care.
• Providing detailed explanations and demonstrating procedures to students and/or employees on lab techniques, experimental procedures and protocols.
• Ordering supplies with approval.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in life sciences or a related field or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of research experience in an academic laboratory.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience working with research animals.
• Experience with standard cell biology techniques: culturing, viability analysis, passaging.
• Relevant experience in preparing draft statistical reports and summarizing statistical data.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) with strong organizational and time-management skills, including task prioritization and record keeping.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment; demonstrated initiative, judgment and problem-solving skills; manual dexterity and attention to detail; good laboratory practices.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and the promotions of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.

Assets (Nonessential):

• A Masters degree in life sciences or a related field.
• Two (2) or more years of experience conducting in-vivo and in-vitro experiments to test different features of a bioactive material.
• Experience with flow cytometry and FACS.
• Experience with standard molecular biology techniques: PCR, cloning, gel electrophoresis, western blot.
• Experience with lab purchasing, liaising with vendors, maintaining equipment, tracking and maintaining inventory, and promoting safety compliance.
• Biohazard (level 2) safety training.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Meticulous
• Organized
• Proactive
• Problem solver
• Responsible
• Self-directed

Closing Date: 05/31/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Grant - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 09 -- $65,407 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $83,646. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Engineering / Technical

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.