Research Assistant / Technician 5
About The Position
A highly motivated Research Assistant (RA) is needed to support the development of an established research laboratory. The purpose of this research is to investigate how early-life adversity, such as stress, repeated procedural pain, and treatments (e.g. sucrose), affects the developing brain of very preterm infants. We are using a mouse model that closely captures critical aspects of what preterm infants are like and what they may experience in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The lab’s studies examine the interactions between the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems during procedural pain and other stressors. We use a variety of behavioural, neuroimaging, molecular, and immunological techniques to study: the effects of early-life stressors on neuroanatomy and neuroimmune function, as well as behavioural outcomes throughout development and adulthood; the role of microglia, inflammatory markers (e.g. cytokines), and various growth factors (e.g. insulin-like growth factors); brain-protective or damaging effects of various treatments against pain. Our research combines state-of-the-art molecular techniques (immunochemistry, qPCR, immunoassay, flow cytometry, etc.) and behavioural testing, allowing us to relate biological changes to brain and behavioural outcomes, which can be translated to clinical practice. The work conducted involves the analysis of neonatal mouse brain tissue, which presents unique methodological challenges that are not addressed by standard protocols. The RA in this position develops, optimizes and redesigns novel and highly specialized adaptations of existing techniques, designs new experimental approaches in a unique and challenging model, and establishes the methods that have the potential to inform broader research practices. The Research Assistant/Technician will be based in the Ranger Laboratory at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR).
Requirements
- University degree in relevant discipline or completion of a technical program and a minimum five years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 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
Nice To Haves
- University graduate degree (i.e. MSc, PhD) in relevant discipline (i.e. neuroscience) preferred.
- 10 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
- Experience working with a neonatal mouse model is considered an asset.
- Knowledge and experience with scientific research, research budget management, task prioritization, project management, as well as a thorough knowledge of UBC/BCCHR/CMMT systems, policies and procedures are assets.
- Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve.
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
- Ability to identify, obtain, and effectively manage organizational resources (e.g., people, materials, assets, budgets).
- Ability to gather, record and organize information.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Ability to work effectively under time pressure to meet deadlines, balance work priorities and resolve problems promptly.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; exercise extensive judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion to meet project needs.
Responsibilities
- Implementing and leading various research projects/animal experiments; provides support in planning and developing the short and long-term research projects’ goals and objectives.
- Oversees the daily lab operations and collaborates with others, internally and externally, in the development of new techniques and conducting joint experiments.
- Supervises research projects of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting scientists that relate to the area of technical expertise, advising on the design of experiments, the development and revision of research protocols and guiding the interpretation and analysis of research.
- Makes development proposals for follow-up experimentation as a result of performing and interpreting the results of complex technical procedures.
- Provides complex analysis of samples as part of a facility that provides an external service, using state-of-the-art instruments with many cutting-edge technologies (e.g. flow cytometry), requiring the development of novel dissociation protocols and marker validation strategies to ensure viable and representative cell populations.
- Performs quantification techniques such as immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunoassays, immunoassays, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), etc. The qualified technician will need to develop highly sensitive and low-input protocols tailored to neonatal brain samples, often involving iterative optimization and validation beyond established methods.
- Develops and tests a novel therapeutic intervention in neonatal mice, which has not previously been implemented in this model. Designs new experimental workflows, validation pipelines, and analytical approaches. Leads the development and refining of protocols that extend beyond current lab standards and may be adopted more broadly within the field.
- Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots problems with standard equipment; organizes laboratory and stock, maintains inventory and distributes supplies; develops and implements procedures to improve research methodologies in the lab.
- Ensures the experiments meet the set out plan, approved protocols, and budget.
- Manages the mouse colonies, orders animals, and monitors pregnancies/births.
- Performs/supervises specialized tasks such as: animal surgery, post-operative care, medication administration, and end-of-life perfusions.
- Collects, organizes, and analyzes data using various software such as Excel, R, SPSS and GraphPad.
- Keeps abreast of techniques in the field of expertise.
- Reviews internal papers and/or new protocols and provides comments in the area of expertise.
- May attend scientific meetings and present posters and papers.
- Perform other related duties as required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
