de Boer Lab - Research Assistant/Technician 4

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

Posting End Date

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

Job End Date

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 School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a partnership between the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine, established in 2017. The School is a nucleus for education and training, research, and innovation in biomedical engineering, creating new knowledge, new academic and training programs, and fostering translation and innovation. Its vision is to transform health and healthcare for all, achieved through innovative research and education at the convergence of engineering, medicine and biology. Through collaborative, innovative, and interdisciplinary approaches and building on UBC’s academic and research excellence, the School of Biomedical Engineering aspires to be a global leader in biomedical engineering research, education and translation. The SBME has two locations on Vancouver’s campus, the Gordon B Shrum building and the Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). For more information about the School of Biomedical Engineering, please visit https://www.bme.ubc.ca/.

A Research Assistant/Technician position for developing molecular tools and techniques in high-throughput enzyme characterization is available in the de Boer lab (https://deboer.bme.ubc.ca/). Our lab’s goal is to build our understanding of the relationship between gene sequence and function, enabling us to predict how mutations affect function and to design new genes. The primary goals of this position are to develop and apply approaches for pooled gene synthesis and screening. This includes developing approaches to create libraries of DNA sequences, assembled from individual gene parts using an approach called DropSynth, and to test the function of the assembled genes with pooled parallel assays of enzymatic activities on hydrogel beads. The Research Assistant/Technician will perform highly skilled tasks such as the optimization and scaling up of DNA synthesis reactions, functionalized microbead fabrication, and other cellular and molecular biology techniques as required. Additionally, the research assistant/technician will assist lab members with their experiments when needed. An ideal candidate would enjoy learning new skills, work well both independently and as part of a team, be well-organized, have good attention to detail, be happy to contribute to multiple projects, and know when to ask for help/input.

Organizational Status

The Research Assistant/Technician will report to a senior PhD student, and the lab’s Principal Investigator, and others as the lab evolves.

Work Performed

Gene synthesis and screening

• Designs and performs complex experiments involving DNA synthesis and testing the activities of diverse enzymes.
• Plans, organizes, and troubleshoots projects and participates in complex research activities including:
• Creating functionalized beads, including with DNA and other moieties, using microfluidics
• Performing QC of DNA via running gels, sequencing, tapestation, qPCR, bioanalyzer, etc
• Manipulation of DNA via PCR, purification, enzymatic digest, ligation, cloning, etc.
• Bacterial transformation, manipulation
• Miniprep of plasmid DNA
• Purification of proteins by affinity chromatography and QC via SDS-PAGE
• In vitro transcription/translation
• Flow cytometry/fluorescence-activated sorting
• Optimization of buffer conditions/incubation times/etc
• Runs computational tools to design proteins and DNA sequences for synthesis and to analyze sequencing data (read alignment, mutation analysis, barcode counting).
• Conducts complex data analysis with minimal supervision.
• Writes reports, presents research results at laboratory meetings and assists with the writing of publications and grant applications.
• Follows established protocols for maintenance of laboratory notebook records.
• Assists in training new members.
• Acts as a resource to students and staff in laboratory protocols and equipment usage.

Lab maintenance

• Maintains inventory of all lab reagents/supplies (receive/store all lab supplies, ensure adequate stocks, and maintain inventory records on electronic lab system), in coordination with lab manager.
• Prepares stocks for common cell culture reagents and chemical solutions.
• Ensures all lab consumables are stocked and equipment is in working condition.
• Performs other routine laboratory maintenance (incubators, water baths, freezers and fridges, glass washing and autoclaving, and general cleaning).
• Assists lab manager in working with vendors and repair technicians to coordinate routine maintenance and emergency repairs of key lab equipment.
• Assists lab manager in training new lab members to ensure general instruments are used properly.
• Keeps up-to-date on correct safety procedures for Level 2 Biohazard conditions (e.g. proper disposal of biohazardous and chemical wastes).
• Assists lab manager in ensuring that the lab safety rules and regulations are posted and adhered to by all students and lab members, and revised as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Requires high degree of attention to detail. Error in execution or documentation may result in compromised experimental reproducibility or inaccurate results. This can delay project timelines, impact validity of research outcomes, and add substantially to costs. Poor judgment in prioritizing tasks or following protocols may result in inefficient use of resources and require repeating experiments. Must exercise judgment in carrying out tasks, asking for feedback as required, and relaying unusual problems to the appropriate individual (e.g. Lab Manager, Principal Investigator).

Supervision Received

The Research Assistant/Technician will report directly to Principal Investigator, with day to day instructions from a senior PhD student and the lab manager.

Supervision Given

The Research Assistant/Technician may provide guidance to other members of the lab regarding laboratory safety regulations, laboratory protocols, and proper equipment usage.

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

• Background in molecular biology, biochemistry, or bioengineering strongly preferred.
• The successful candidate will be a passionate, self-driven, independent thinker with excellent organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills, and a strong work ethic.
• Working knowledge of laboratory equipment operations (e.g. pH meters, biological safety cabinets, centrifuges, incubators, microscopes, spectrophotometer, flow cytometer, autoclave, fume hoods) and procedures (e.g. handling compressed gas cylinders and liquid nitrogen cryostorage).
• Experience with the development of SOPs and familiarity with quality management principles, including reagent traceability, documentation practices, and quality control of cells.
• Experience maintaining electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), laboratory inventory systems, and digital records management systems.
• Proficiency in standard computer software packages (e.g. Microsoft Office) for lab documentation, data entry and analysis.
• Proficiency in computational analyses, including running tools on the command line, python programming, R, and basic statistical analyses.
• Strong multi-tasking/time management skills.
• Excellent organization and communication skills.
• High level of hand eye coordination and dexterity and ability to lift supply boxes that weigh up to 20 pounds.