Flow Cytometry Core Facility Technologist

Competition 2342

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.

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 Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) 

The Flow Cytometry Facility is a Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) core research facility providing services and infrastructure access to over 100 research groups (250+ users) annually across the University of Alberta and externally. The Facility currently houses ten diverse instruments to support advanced cell analysis and sorting, including state-of-the-art spectral analyzers, an imaging flow cytometer, and infrastructure for studying small particles. The Facility has been internationally recognized by the International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry for best practices in a shared-resource laboratory. The Flow Cytometry Facility enables faculty members and researchers to access expertise and innovative technology pipelines that individual laboratories cannot otherwise support.  

Position Summary

The Flow Core Technologist is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations of the flow core, ensuring that instruments are maintained in working order and have all necessary reagents available. The Flow Core Technologist will work with the Flow Core Facility Manager to ensure that biosafety regulations are up to date and being enforced, that machines are functioning optimally, and that all users are properly trained, both in flow cytometry theory as well as “hands-on”. The Flow Core Technologist will also provide assistance in the acquisition and analysis of data, as well as perform high-level flow cytometric acquisition and sorting of BSL1 and BSL2 samples, requiring a high level of technical expertise. This Technologist also provides support to the Advanced Cell Exploration Core, such as single-cell library preparation, as needed. 

Duties 

• Training & Education (10%): Provide hands-on training for facility analyzers and sorters; assist in undergraduate course labs; support users in experimental design and data analysis; stay updated on new technologies in consultation with the Core Manager.

• Instrument Maintenance & Quality Control (10%): Perform daily calibration and maintenance of units; monitor unit performance; ensure post-run cleaning procedures are followed; handle minor repairs; coordinate major repairs and maintenance visits; keep the Core Manager informed on instrument status.

• Reagent Preparation & Supply Management (5%): Prepare sheath fluid and cleaning solutions; ensure adequate supply of cleaning solutions; order supplies as needed; interface with sales representatives and technical support.

• Support Analysis of Biosafety Level 1 Samples (20%): Perform sorts of level 1 materials; assist users in acquiring samples; run samples upon request; train advanced users to perform their own sorts; coordinate instrument schedules.

• Cell Sorting & Analysis of Biosafety Level 2 Samples (30%): Perform sorts of level 2 materials; monitor safety regulations; assist users in acquiring samples; coordinate instrument schedules.

• Report Generation (5%): Generate post-sort reports; follow up with users post-sort; confirm instrument usage in the reservation and billing system; manage instrument log books.
  

• Biosafety Regulations (5%): Monitor user adherence to safety protocols; ensure facility cleanliness and timely waste disposal; suggest improvements to biosafety procedures; track completion of annual biosafety forms.
  

• Support Analysis of Samples Submitted to Advanced Cell Exploration Core (10%): Perform single-cell sequencing library preparation; conduct PCR, real-time PCR, and cDNA preparation; assess nucleic acid sample quality.

• Additional Duties (5%): Complete other tasks as assigned by the Flow Core Manager.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. in life sciences required. M.Sc. in life science preferred
• 2+ years of experience in advanced flow cytometry
• 2+ years of experience in sorting
• Certified training on cell sorters
• Demonstrable experience with flow cytometry analysis software
• Knowledge of flow cytometry theory and applications; adept at optimizing signal-to-noise and minimizing spectral overlap
• General understanding of cell biology
• Experience in standard molecular biology techniques (e.g. RNAi, PCR) and basic cloning methods
• Knowledge of safety and decontamination protocols
• Good communication skills
• Good time management skills
• Understanding of and ability to accurately manage records, including reconciling in billing systems
• Ability to professionally manage situations with clients who do not follow facility rules
• Ability to troubleshoot procedures
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the competing demands of users