Spatial Biology Project Specialist

Competition 2222

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

This position has a term length of 36 months and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location - This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

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 Advanced Cell Exploration Core

The Advanced Cell Exploration (ACE) Core is a Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry core research facility that provides services and infrastructure access to over 50 research group annually across the University of Alberta. ACE primarily provides services for nucleic acid analyses and single cell profiling, with a current focus on next generation sequencing (NGS), single cell sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics. ACE enables faculty members and researchers to access expertise and innovative technology pipelines that individual laboratories cannot otherwise support. 

Position Summary

Reporting to the Core Coordinator, this position primarily leads and executes research projects using spatial biology techniques and infrastructure in the Advanced Cell Exploration Core (ACE). Specifically, this position provides expert advice for spatial biology project execution and planning, organizes project timelines and services with research groups to ensure objectives are met, conducts experimental protocols on provided samples, and provides data transfer and analysis support.

This position will also contribute to the daily operations of the ACE Core and provide staffing coverage for other core services including single-cell sequencing, nucleic acid capture, RNA-seq, operation of liquid handling robots and support for high content screens.

Duties 

Executing Spatial Biology Projects (80%):

• Responsible for leading spatial biology project onboarding including directly liaising with researchers (principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, etc.) to plan experimental workflows; coordinating meetings between research groups and technology vendors; providing expert advice to researchers on sample preparation and reagents; and coordinating project scheduling to align with sample/reagent readiness and other ongoing projects.
• Develops and validates protocols for spatial biology samples based on project needs. Conducts hands-on services using spatial biology techniques on provided samples. Submitted samples may be precious and not easily replaceable requiring a high degree of technical accuracy. Troubleshoots and adjusts protocols as needed during sample verification and project workflows.
• Coordinates equipment scheduling, operates, and performs routine maintenance on spatial biology infrastructure (e.g. Vizgen MERSCOPE). Coordinates data delivery and transfer to research groups following acquisition. Troubleshoots infrastructure operation and data transfer issues and escalates them to the Core Coordinator as required.
• Performs software upgrades on instrument computers as required.
• Maintains accurate project records (e.g. core staff time, reagents used, equipment time) and tracks reagent inventory for spatial biology projects. Assists the Core Coordinator in preparing invoices for spatial biology projects in Stratocore-PPMS.
• Provides analysis support to spatial biology projects as required.

ACE Core Services and Operational Duties (20%):

• Supports preparation and quality assessment of samples submitted by users. Executes hands-on experimental protocols for ACE core services including single-cell sequencing library preparation and several common molecular biology techniques including PCR, real-time PCR, and cDNA preparation, and DNA size selection.
• Provides project design, tracking and technical assistance to the Core Coordinator and other ACE Core staff as required for other (non-spatial biology) core projects.
• Provides training and technical assistance to users accessing other core infrastructure autonomously.
• Assists with the development of new applications for service.
• Contributes to the development and maintenance and ACE Core SOPs and hazard assessments.
• Maintains and contributes to reagent inventory tracking. Orders necessary reagents and consumables as required.
• Performs required instrument maintenance including calibration of micropipettors, and routine laboratory cleaning tasks.
• Other duties as assigned by the Core Coordinator.

Minimum Qualifications

• BSc Degree in Biomedical or Biological Sciences (e.g. Molecular Genetics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, etc.) required; MSc preferred; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of related experience in a laboratory research environment required.
• 1-2 years of related experience planning and executing team-based research projects required.
• Proficient computer skills including knowledge of Google Suite, Peoplesoft and other UofA applications (Supplynet) required.
• Ability to multitask and successfully meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy required.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to communicate complex information verbally and in writing required.
• Excellent critical and strategic thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills required.

Preferred Qualifications 

• 1-2 years of experience with tissue sample preparation techniques (e.g., sectioning) or imaging preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience with RNA based techniques (e.g. RTqPCR, fragment analysis) preferred.
• Understanding of various spatial and single cell technologies is an asset.
• Experience in Good Lab Practices (GLP) and traceability is an asset.
• Experience in advanced genomic data analysis, imaging data analysis, or coding preferred.