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IBEHS LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (III)

Job ID38234-1301
CompanyMcMaster University
LocationHamilton
ProvinceON
Date Posted2021-05-12
Job TypeFull-time
Job CategoryEducation
Description

Job Summary

Under the direction of the immediate supervisor, design new laboratory exercises and procedures and oversee the day-to-day operations of a facility, laboratory or multiple laboratories. Organizes, distributes and verifies the work of others and participates in their training.

Unit/Project Description:

This position will manage and coordinate activities related to undergraduate design projects and wet laboratories for multiple courses within the Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) program. This position will be responsible for ensuring that safety procedures are considered and implemented into all the teaching activities in the wet labs; providing a safe working environment for students and staff, as well as taking corrective actions to prevent potentially hazardous situations; training of Teaching Assistants to use all equipment safely; testing of existing labs and design activities to ensure they are optimized prior to undergrad students' arrival; designing and preparing biomedical-related experiential learning activities; supporting undergraduate wet labs and design projects throughout the academic term; designing and maintaining online learning environments and databases.  The successful candidate will participate in design, selection and purchase (i.e. purchase orders) of new laboratory and experiential learning equipment whether hardware or software (e.g. gel electrophoresis, pipettes, spectrophotometer), and will acquire and maintain expertise in all new software or hardware used (including performing maintenance/repairs as needed). This position will also identify needs for prototyping, analysis, and testing of design projects and experiments (e.g. transformation, restriction, ligation), and will determine inventory/storage needs, expected usage/distribution and re-stocking/maintenance requirements over time.  The successful incumbent will provide direction and support to TAs assigned to the wet lab and must ensure that safety and operating protocols are adhered to at all times.  The position will also prepare documentation as needed for the Internal Quality Assurance Program (IQAP) Reviews and Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) visits; and ensure labs meet the health & safety standards necessary.  Other duties to be assigned as needed by the Program. 

Purpose and Key Functions

  • Design new laboratory exercises and procedures.
  • Conduct literature searches and write literature review summaries.
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of a facility, laboratory or multiple laboratories.
  • Coordinate the execution of experiments, projects and services.
  • Establish priorities and ensure adherence to schedules.
  • Provides technical guidance and assistance concerning work methods, the use of equipment and techniques, and the analysis of results.
  • Review, test, evaluate, and modify equipment and methodology.
  • Recognize and investigate apparent reasons for obvious deviations in results obtained.
  • Write a variety of documents such as standard operating procedures.
  • Conduct initial lab set-up in accordance with lab schedules and requirements.
  • Perform pilot experiments and prepare lab demonstration materials.
  • Demonstrate and train others on experimental techniques and the operation of laboratory equipment.
  • Modify and adapt, labs as directed.
  • Conduct moderately complex analyses of data.
  • Perform trouble-shooting during the lab period to correct issues including, but not limited to, equipment failure and contamination.
  • Update and maintain detailed records of lab preparations and procedures.
  • Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
  • Calibrate and maintain scientific equipment and instruments in accordance with prescribed requirements.
  • Perform minor equipment repairs and arrange for major repairs through supervisor or outside contractor.
  • Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
  • 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.
  • Schedule laboratory equipment for use.
  • Prepare a variety of chemicals, solutions, sterile media, staining reagents and other materials required for the lab.
  • Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
  • Update, maintain, and verify inventory control of chemicals, media, and supplies.
  • 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

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study. Preference for a degree in Engineering, Molecular Biology or Biochemistry.
  • Requires 2 years of relevant experience. Preference for Laboratory Technician experience in a wet lab. 

Assets

The successful candidate will:

  • Have experience with techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology such as PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis.
  • Have strong communication and organization skills, applied skills (including, but not limited to, chemical engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology and materials engineering) that are demonstrated to be transferrable for bio-related applications, knowledge of basic computer software such as Word, Excel, etc.
  • Possess a good understanding of: pipetting, cloning techniques, bacterial culture, plasmid preparation, gel electrophoresis, transformation
  • Have experience and/or demonstrated interest with MATLAB/Simbiology, Benchling, in silico modeling

This position requires an individual capable of handling a diverse workload in a busy environment, the ability to meet multiple and simultaneous deadlines and perform equally well individually and as part of a team. The successful applicant will be expected to take initiative to improve processes and develop new processes to adapt to changing conditions.  The ideal candidate is friendly, energetic, tactful, confident, resourceful, is a highly organized and motivated individual with proven communication skills, with the ability to act independently as well as in a team environment, the ability to work well under pressure, and the ability to deal with multiple concurrent deadlines in a demanding work environment.



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