Technician III, Biology Laboratory Support

University of Ottawa•Ottawa, ON

2d•CA$59,038 - CA$74,574•Onsite

About The Position

This position requires that the incumbent be available to work on a flexible schedule to meet operation requirements. Reporting to the Manager, Laboratory Support, the incumbent is responsible for managing the dishwashing and sterilizing facilities for the Biology Department, supporting both research and teaching labs. Additionally, the technician assists in the maintenance and monitoring of the teaching and research greenhouses and provides support to technical staff in preparing teaching laboratories.

Requirements

B.Sc. in Biology or a college diploma in horticulture or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Minimum two (2) years of demonstrated experience in a similar role (experience with autoclaves and dishwashers is highly desirable).
Advanced Knowledge of sterilization techniques, biohazard disposal regulations, Health and Safety regulations, and proper waste disposal.
Ability to operate, maintain and troubleshoot the autoclave and dishwasher.
Understanding of the principles of sterilization, including time, temperature and pressure requirements for different materials.
Familiarity with methodologies and laboratory protocols.
Experience with software programs for monitoring greenhouse parameters is preferable.
Capacity to perform repetitive tasks with consistent accuracy.
Strong ability to work independently and within a team, coordinate activities, and meet deadlines.
Good interpersonal skills and excellent knowledge of spoken and written French and English.
Availability to work a flexible schedule to meet operational requirements

Nice To Haves

experience with autoclaves and dishwashers is highly desirable
Experience with software programs for monitoring greenhouse parameters is preferable

Responsibilities

Operates departmental sterilizers, and dishwashers, in CAREG and Biosciences.
Develop and maintain a detailed schedule for receiving and processing materials and equipment from research and teaching laboratories.
Evaluate incoming materials, group them by processing compatibility, and determine the appropriate sterilization and washing cycles.
Unload, inspect, and inventory sterilized items before redistributing them to respective research units and teaching labs.
Ensure biohazard waste is prepared and disposed of according to University guidelines.
Oversees daily maintenance of the equipment within the facilities.
Conduct routine inspections and perform weekly testing on sterilizers and weekly maintenance on dishwashers to ensure they are functioning efficiently.
Record all test results and maintenance activities.
Report any issues with equipment to the supervisor promptly and coordinate repairs or replacements as needed.
Assists the greenhouse manager with the maintenance of the research and teaching greenhouses.
In the absence of the manager, performs daily watering and weekly fertilization, treats plants with insecticide if necessary and provide the researchers and graduate students with the materials and help they need.
Helps with the removal of weeds, the yearly transplantation and trimming of plants.
Using the ARGUS computer system, monitors greenhouses parameters, responds to alarms and makes the necessary adjustments during the greenhouse manager’s absence.
Is on call on weekends and during the manager’s absence, using an internet connection to the software to monitor the greenhouses and must be available at all times to respond to emergencies on campus if needed and to communicate with University personnel if their intervention is needed.
Helps the technical staff with the preparation of material for the teaching labs, makes solutions, sets up equipment and experimental kits and takes them apart after a lab session.
Prepares material and experimental set ups for special events like University of Ottawa day, mini courses and students visiting the labs.
Assists with the maintenance of lab equipment.
Assists with the cleaning of lab space and the inventory of material at the end of each semester.