Quality Control Technician

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of one year plus a day, with a possibility of extension and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page .

Location: This is an in-person role and work primarily located at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department/Faculty Summary

The mission of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology is to provide an enriched environment for research, education and training in the field of infection and immunity that links molecular mechanisms to disease, treatment and prevention.

Position Summary

The Li Ka Shing Applied Virology (LKSAV) Group is a collaborative research environment designed to translate and commercialize basic research discoveries. There are ±30 staff from varied disciplines (virologists, chemists, immunologists, computational scientists and GMP manufacturers, etc.) working in the Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Group with more than 12 active projects under development for future clinical testing.

In addition, the group actively collaborates with about 12 Principal Investigators from the department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology as well as other University of Alberta departments. It also has active collaborations with several Principal Investigators at other Canadian & international organizations.

This position will be part of one of the LKSAV group’s most exciting projects: the development of a vaccine against Hepatitis C. A team of twenty people (research technologists and research associates) currently working on this project. This position will report to the Quality Control Lead Specialist and will work in collaboration with the other project members. In collaboration with the Quality Control Lead Specialist, the incumbent will be responsible for conducting quality control tests during the manufacturing process for the Hep C vaccine.

Duties

• Conducts the following Quality Control Tests (65%):
• Microbiology – Bioburden, Endotoxin, and Mycoplasma testing
• Protein Analysis – SDS-PAGE, Coomassie Staining, Western Blot, HPLC
• Immunogencity – ELISA, In vivo Immunogencity Studies, immunopreciptiations, viral neutralization assays
• Virus titration and infectivity assays
• PCR, Cloning and DNA gels
• Analysis of DNA and protein sequencing studies
• Other tests, as needed
• Develops quality control procedures (20%)
• Supports process and product development by identifying quality control techniques and conducting quality control tests to facilitate process validation and successful upscale to commercial production
• Analytical assay development and validation
• Drafting of Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs)
• Receives materials and manages inventory (5%)
• Supports GMP manufacturing, as needed (10%)
• Raw Material Identity Testing
• In-Process Testing
• Finished Goods Release Testing

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum B.Sc in Biology, Biochemistry, or similar scientific discipline. M.Sc would be preferable.
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) experience, over 3 years’ experience in quality control and working in a regulated environment is required.
• Extensive experience in HPLC, ELISA, SDS-PAGE, PCR, microbiology and cloning is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with in vivo immunogenicity studies would be an asset
• Experience with method development and stability studies are highly desired
• Ability to work independently and with a team of multidisciplinary high-performance professionals
• Demonstrated attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Experience working in GMP environment, including cleanrooms, would be an asset
• High ethical standards
• Knowledge of workplace Health and Safety standards and proper handling and disposal of biologically hazardous materials
• Proven strong organizational skills
• Commitment to working at unconventional hours and weekends to ensure tight deadlines are met.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.