Research Laboratory Technician

Unit/Project Description:

The Biointerfaces Institute at McMaster is an 8,000 sq.ft, shared-user facility that supports the research initiatives of academic and industrial partners. Reporting to Prof. David Latulippe, the co-director of the BioInterfaces Institute, the research laboratory technician will support the day-to-day operation of the Institute’s biomanufacturing facility including maintaining and calibrating the specialized infrastructure.

Job Summary:

Responsible for providing research support to faculty members in their research and teaching laboratory activities. This support includes performing laboratory experiments that are established and relatively standardized and conducting literature searches for use in publications such as journal articles or papers. Performs a range of assignments under close supervision.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Write methods section for peer reviewed articles.
• Write protocols for instruments in the lab.
• Perform various in-vitro and in-vivo procedures in a specialized area of science that are established and relatively standardized.
• Liaise with other laboratories, external departments, and agencies to coordinate resources and schedules to meet research objectives.
• Recognize and investigate apparent reasons for obvious deviations in results obtained.
• Write a variety of documents such as technical and procedural sections for research reports and standard operating procedures.
• Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
• Log samples and related pertinent information.
• Gather and compile experimental results and assist in the preparation of data for reports and publications.
• Use software to conduct routine statistical analyses.
• Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
• Provide updates at research group meetings.
• Responsible for keeping laboratory facilities, equipment, and area in clean, safe working order.
• Assemble and adjust tests and laboratory equipment for experiments and procedures.
• Operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments.
• Ensure adequate supplies are available for experiments.
• Schedule laboratory equipment for use.
• Demonstrate and train others on experimental techniques and the operation of laboratory equipment.
• Prepare chemical reagents and biomedical media according to formulae and assume responsibility for accuracy in the preparation and standardization of solutions.
• Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
• Monitor supplies and order inventories.
• Responsible for the proper storage of materials and the appropriate disposal of waste.
• Adhere to standardized procedures and protocols when dispensing chemicals and base media.
• Input, maintain, and verify information in a variety of databases and spreadsheets.

Requirements:

• 3 year Community College diploma in a relevant field of study.
• Requires 2 years of relevant experience.

Additional requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to plan and perform cell culture experiments in small-scale bioreactors (e.g. AMBR 250) and pilot-scale bioreactors.
• Previous experience in analytical and cell culture techniques (e.g. trypan blue exclusion assay).
• Previous experience in creating equipment service plans and coordinating equipment service visits.
• Previous experience in developing training programs for authorized use of equipment.
• Excellent time management skills and strong organization skills to work independently and effectively on multiple duties.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and similar programs.

Additional Information:

What you’ll do:

• Create a safe and secure working environment according to McMaster’s safety and biosafety programs.
• Daily monitoring and detailed recording of bioreactors when they are in use.
• Analyze and evaluate results and provide advice regarding the direction of future experiments.
• Monitor and stock the inventory of materials and supplies needed for the biomanufacturing facility.
• Coordinate resources and schedules with other facilities within the Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative.
• Act as an ambassador for internal (e.g. advisory boards) and external visitors (e.g. outreach programs).
• Provide technical support for the production of research papers and presentations. This will be a 2-year limited term appointment, with the possibility of an extension subject to available funding.