Research Assistant

This competition is restricted to internal applicants of the University of Alberta. Please indicate your internal status using the "Advertisement" drop down menu when applying.

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

This position has an end date of August 31, 2023 and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page .

Location: Work primarily takes place 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 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences consists of over 40 ophthalmologists who work as physicians and surgeons and have teaching appointments with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

The Eye Institute of Alberta (EIA) is a Center of excellence for all levels of ophthalmic care and serves a population of over 3 million people around Edmonton and in the North. The hub of the EIA is the Royal Alexandra Hospital with additional sites at the Stollery Children's Hospital, Westview Health Center and the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital.

We have a vibrant teaching and learning environment with a strong commitment to undergraduate medical education, postgraduate medical education (residency and fellowship programs, including support for global health) and graduate student education.

Research takes place within a highly collaborative environment for both fundamental and translational research and builds on inter-departmental strengths in neurobiology, developmental biology, vascular biology, and molecular genetics of vision. Clinical research strengths include clinical trials, ocular genetics, electrophysiology and tele-ophthalmology.

Position Summary

This position will be engaged in a research project on a retinal degeneration with systemic features due to a pathogenic variant in a gene called PIKfyve.

Duties

• Conduct bench research on the functional analysis of cell models that will prove that the variant in PIKfyve results in a human disease.
• Assist with the editing of the research manuscript publishing the results of the research
• Assist in the submission of research reports to funders (University Hospital Foundation or UHF)
• Assist in the submission of grant applications to continue the research.

Minimum Qualifications

• MSc with a scientific research focus in vision science
• Minimum 1 - 2 years experience in ophthalmology research
• Knowledge of cell culture, cell imaging (immunofluorescence and electron microscopy) western blotting and PCR techniques is required
• Advanced computer skills and the ability to use Prism, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and database platforms
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact and work in a wet bench environment
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to review, edit, and compose reports.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple and diverse tasks, under minimal supervision
• Ability to work independently, take initiative and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to deal with a complex work environment with competing priorities.
• Experience presenting to large and small groups.
• Knowledge of UofA’s grant and research policies and procedures.

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.