Research Technologist II

This competition is restricted to current employees of the University of Alberta only. 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 a term length of one year plus a day 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 Chu Lab is focused on cellular immunotherapy as it applies predominantly to malignant hematology. This position is meant to help with translational research by bolstering clinical sample acquisition from both observational and clinical trial sources with subsequent cellular handling which can include cell separation, cell sorting, flow cytometry, cryopreservation process, or subsequent analyses. Additional analyses can include unique culture techniques, PCR and next generation sequencing. As part of the team, this position is also meant to support the other team members in assisting in their projects and may include carrying 1 or 2 projects by the successful applicant. Weekly lab meetings and reporting are expected with occasional presenting to a larger group for feedback and discussion.

Position Summary

In this lab, this position would require a successful applicant to handle viral transfection of cell line, healthy donor, and primary patient T-cells for the purpose of gene transduction, expansion and creation of cellular therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells. This position would require critical thinking, problem solving and advanced immunology knowledge for the purpose of gene transduction optimization, novel CAR T-cell construct plasmid development, and investigating non-viral transdcution methods. Both an understanding and prior experience with novel antibody-based therapeutics (such as bi-specific T-cell engagers [BITE]) are an asset. Inherent to this position includes the ability to perform tissue culture, cell culture, advanced flow cytometry, various microscopy imaging techniques, and PCR. Attention to detail and meticulous experimental skills, including record keeping and computer database maintenance, are essential.

Duties

• Use of level 2 biohazardous materials (lentiviruses and retroviruses)
• Plasmid (DNA) design and advanced knowledge of cellular therapy design, T-cell activation and T-cell exhaustion
• Archiving of patient samples including live cells, RNA and DNA while maintaining records of archived samples as part of a larger clinical database
• Coordination of patient samples with clinical colleagues and supervisor
• Comfort with extracting relevant clinical data from electronic medical record system
• Culture of human cells (experience in modern cell culture design is required)
• Cell sorting and multicolor flow cytometry including statistical analysis
• Single cell isolation, DNA and RNA analyses including Northern and Southern blots, and PCR
• Daily independent planning of experiments to complete research objectives
• Perform projects with research collaborators on and off campus
• Prepare and maintain laboratory quality assurance and standard operating procedures by developing standard protocols and implementing new techniques and methods
• Recording and compiling results, analysis and organization of date, and preparation of data for publication, including some writing and drafting
• Troubleshooting of technical procedures and experimental evaluation of methodology
• Supervision of summer and year-long students – including training students in techniques, project management, PubMed search of literature including critical appraisal, and oversight of trainee abstract/poster/publication preparation
• Recording, monitoring and ordering lab supplies
• Maintenance of lab environment including general lab organization, equipment cleaning, chemical inventory, preparation of reagents and solutions, routine laboratory duties
• Ensure safety standards as defined by WHMIS are met, recorded and maintained in the laboratory by all personnel including cataloguing of biohazard materials, appropriate storage and disposal of biohazards and chemical waste, and ensure personal protective equipment use by all in the lab

Minimum Qualifications

• A doctorate in a science degree is required
• 5 years laboratory experience
• Understanding of viruses (lentivirus and retrovirus), immunology, cancer biology, DNA analyses (primer design and PCR), RNA analyses (reverse transcription, single cell RNA sequencing)
• Prior immunology experience including antibody production, manipulation and activity assessment
• Prior T-cell experience including genetic manipulation, culture and handling
• Advanced skills in multiparametric flow cytometry and cell sorting
• Experience in database contribution, data entry and maintenance
• Experience in sterile technique and handling fresh human cells
• Ability to search literature and find relevant reports
• Experience with keeping confidential records
• Some experience in preparing patient samples and maintaining cell lines
• Good interpersonal interactions with co-workers and clinical colleagues; experience in supervision
• Biohazard training/certification

Preferred Qualifications

• A post-doctoral fellowship in either cellular therapy or hematologic malignancies is preferred
• Experience in a laboratory environment and expertise in genetic analysis is important

-        A doctorate in a science degree is required

-        5 years laboratory experience

-        Understanding of viruses (lentivirus and retrovirus), immunology, cancer biology, DNA analyses (primer design and PCR), RNA analyses (reverse transcription, single cell RNA sequencing)

-        Prior immunology experience including antibody production, maniuplation and activity assessment

-        Prior T-cell experience including genetic manipulation, culture and handling

-        Advanced skills in multiparametric flow cytometry and cell sorting

-        Experience in database contribution, data entry and maintenance

-        Experience in sterile technique and handling fresh human cells

-        Ability to search literature and find relevant reports

-        Experience with keeping confidential records

-        Some experience in preparing patient samples and maintaining cell lines

-        Good interpersonal interactions with co-workers and clinical colleagues; experience in supervision

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.