Lab Animal Technician

Competition 1314

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta in the past 18 months will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of one year plus a day with the possibility of renewal and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page.

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton. This role is in-person.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology (MMI)

The Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology (MMI) was formed in 1995 by the merger of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the Department of Immunology. The merger recognized the natural link between infectious diseases (offence) and host immunity (defence) as two sides of the same coin, and it positioned our department to become a leader in the growing research field of pathogen-host relationships.

We are a research-intensive unit that pursues dynamic projects in the areas of bacteriology, immunology, and virology. Our research foci include host-pathogen interactions, virus infection and replication, immune responses to pathogens, bacterial pathogenesis, as well as autoimmunity and cancer immunology. Our research goals are to create and improve therapeutic agents, vaccines, and physiological interventions to improve health and diminish or prevent disease.

Our strong graduate student program prepares graduates for entry into exceptional careers over a wide spectrum of areas and diverse capacities.

Position 

This position involves research in an immunology lab. The candidate will perform a wide range of technical duties and provide support for ongoing research projects, specifically by maintaining animal colonies, maintaining animal records and completing animal experiments and associated molecular assays, either independently or alongside current lab trainees.

Their primary role will be managing and completing animal experiments, which will require independent decision-making and collaboration with lab trainees, animal care staff, the principal investigator and veterinarians.

Duties 

Animal Colony Maintenance and Experiments ~65%

• Standard mice husbandry, which may include receiving animals, setting up breeding cages, weaning and tagging
• Monitors of the size and diversity of animal colonies
• Makes independent decisions regarding the health and care of animal colonies based on advice from animal care staff, veterinarians and principal investigator
• Conducts animal experiments independently or assists other lab members following discussion and instruction by lab members and the principal investigator
• Conducts a variety of experimental procedures on animals including, but not limited to, injections, euthanasia, tissue sampling and processing
• Assists in the training of new students with animal experiments

Assistance in Research Experiments ~30%

• Prepares standard solutions for the laboratory
• Orders needed laboratory consumables, handles biohazard waste and cleaning of laboratory glassware and other instruments
• Works independently or assists other lab members with experiments (including, but not limited to, flow cytometry, virus titering and qPCR)

Maintaining Records ~5%

• Maintains current records of animal colonies
• Assists in maintaining and completing animal protocols and associated paperwork
• Ensures compliance with EHS under the supervision of the principal investigator

Qualifications

• 2 years experience in small animal model-based and cellular and molecular biology
• Animal Handling certificate
• Experience in a research environment
• Experience with handling and care of small animals
• Experience with troubleshooting laboratory protocols and equipment
• Experience with the administration of policies and procedures
• Experience with biohazard, radiation, WHMIS safety and policy
• Computer proficiency with MS Office and other platforms