Research Assistant /Technician 4

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile
Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4

Job Title
Research Assistant /Technician 4

Department
Carlsten Research Support Division of Respiratory Medicine | Department of Medicine | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range
$5,068.91 - $5,946.08 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date
April 6, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Jul 24, 2025

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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
The primary focus of this position is to provide technical support within oversee the laboratory activities related to the human exposure trials, subsequent experiments, and the regular maintenance of the laboratory. The research assistant will also be responsible for maintaining the necessary documentation and protocols for the accredited lab procedure precipitins test in accordance to the Diagnostic Accreditation Program (DAP). The DAP is responsible for accrediting all diagnostic facilities in BC with an external set of accreditation standards from UBC risk management required of laboratories that must be met in order to receive certification. The incumbent will be required to work with human subjects and must follow all ethical and standard research procedures.
Organizational Status

The Air Pollution Exposure Lab (APEL) under the direction of Dr. Chris Carlsten, is focused on understanding how air pollution exposures affect lung health and the development of policy, preventive, and therapeutic interventions to protect human health. We do this through controlled human exposures that show us how various air pollutants affect our lung health.  

This position is in the Air Pollution Exposure Lab (APEL) under the direction of Dr. Chris Carlsten. This position is hired within the University of British Columbia (UBC), Respiratory Medicine Division. This position is a full-time, on-site position, located at the UBC VGH Hospital site; a work from home option is NOT available for this position. The incumbent is expected to provide regular reports to the research manager on project, tasks, and goals progresses during one-on-one meetings. Frequent interaction and collaboration with research team members is required. 

Work Performed

• Responsible for management of the laboratory, including purchasing consumables equipment, and ensuring the proper maintenance of lab equipment (e.g., calibrations, troubleshoot, contact manufacturer reps, installation, etc.). May be required to negotiate with suppliers.

• Develops and writes novel protocols and safety procedures for the lab. Expected to review workflow and procedures, provide recommendations, and participating in improving methodologies as necessary. Includes writing the quality management system document per DAP requirements for best practices

• Plans and performs complex sample processing for clinical studies following standard operation procedures (SOP) using the flow cytometry machine. These samples may include, but are not limited to blood, urine, nasal lavage, bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, biopsies, and cell cultures. Specific knowledge of human specimens is required to ensure integrity of samples. 

• Conducts venipuncture for blood sample collection during clinical studies. This requires certification in venipuncture procedures used for human subjects. 

• Conducts regular precipitins testing (an accredited laboratory test) and complete necessary documentation as required per Diagnostic Accreditation Program (DAP) standards.  

• Writes the technical sections for research manuscripts and grants. 

• Oversees databases for project information and samples to ensure accuracy and location tracking. 

• Oversees the implementation and enforcement of laboratory safety rules and procedures; particularly in accordance with the requirements of the Diagnostic Accreditation Program (DAP) standards for the precipitins test. 

• Oversees and directs the work of incoming co-op student(s). Trains students and new trainees/visiting scientists in the lab on the use of specialized equipment, techniques, and SOPs, ensuring compliance with study protocol and DAP standards. 

• Adheres to and maintain necessary documentation required for the precipitins DAP test, including researching and responding to the inquiries of the DAP assessors in a timely manner. Actively participating in required meetings and on-site assessments from the DAP. 

• Provides ongoing updates to the research team during lab meetings regarding project progress, including milestones, challenges, and future plans.  

• Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification. 

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position is expected to exercise a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility, and initiative in maintaining documentation and adhering to required SOPs/guidelines. Accountability in completing delegated tasks and exercising initiative and judgment in establishing priorities is necessary. Failure to do so may result in significant loss in samples, which in turn could significantly delay or even shut down the study. Failure to follow DAP procedures could result in the revocation of the laboratory DAP certification and in turn substantially and negatively impact funding available to Carlsten Laboratory. Should funding be impacted to such an extent, this could incur financial and reputational damage to the lab, the Department, as well the Faculty of Medicine.  
Supervision Received
The incumbent will work independently on a day-to-day basis with overall direction from the principal investigator and research manager. Instructions will only be provided in the case of unusual problems that depart from standard procedures. The incumbent is expected to provide regular progress reports on projects, tasks, and goals during one-on-one meetings with the research manager. 
Supervision Given
May oversee the work of research students. The incumbent will be expected to share his/her expertise with other researchers working on the projects. This person is expected to be accountable for his/her own work and exercise initiative and judgment in establishing priorities and completing delegated tasks.
Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.
- 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 (science related) preferred.  

• Minimum 4 years related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Experience with flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, cell cultures, assays, preferred. 

• Experience with the Diagnostic Accreditation Program process is an asset. 

• Have effective oral and written communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and enthusiasm for scientific research. 

• Be well organized with the ability to prioritize work to meet deadlines, while maintaining attention to detail. 

• Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve. 

• Ability to work independently and within a team environment. 

• Ability to adapt and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment. 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings and evenings, as needed.