Laboratory Technician

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4

Job Title

Laboratory Technician

Department

Manges Laboratory | Centre for Disease Control | Faculty of Medicine

Compensation Range

$5,220.98 - $6,124.46 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

November 10, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

November 17, 2026

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary

The Manges Lab (http://mangeslab.med.ubc.ca/) is seeking an enthusiastic and hard-working Research Technician 4 to assist with research relating to respiratory viral diagnostics and other projects using next-generation sequencing technologies.  The respiratory virus project focuses on optimizing and performance testing a next-generation sequencing based diagnostic assay for the detection and characterization of respiratory viruses in clinical samples. The goal of this project is to optimize the assay to achieve comparable test performance to current diagnostic standards. These results will be used to submit an application for regulatory approval of the assay. The position will predominantly involve laboratory and administrative work relating to this study in addition to essential administrative and lab management tasks.

Division of Tasks:

• 70 % laboratory work
• 20 % administrative support
• 10 % other

Suitable candidates will fulfill the qualification and skills requirements listed below.

Organizational Status

The primary location for the Research Technician 4 position will be at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. The position is administered by the UBC CDC, in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of British Columbia's Vancouver Campus. The Research Technician will report to the Principal Investigator (PI) within the research laboratory at the BCCDC.

As the academic arm of BCCDC, the UBC Centre for Disease Control conducts and coordinates research, education, knowledge translation and policy development in support of provincial, national and international programs for public health control and prevention. Programs span many areas of infectious and chronic disease, as well as environmental hazards. 

Work Performed

LABORATORY TASKS

• Designs, modifies, optimizes, troubleshoots, and performs laboratory assays that include: DNA extraction, library preparation of RNA or DNA for next-generation sequencing, PCR and qPCR, use of liquid handling robots, handling and processing of biohazardous substances, including infectious respiratory and other specimens, performing next-generation sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing platform and other sequencing platforms.
• Performs timely and accurate recording of data and data analysis for projects to generate laboratory results; maintains detailed records of all laboratory work
• Operates, monitors and maintains specialized equipment requiring training (e.g., freezers, PCR machines, liquid handling robot, etc.).

• Sources, orders, prepares and safely manages laboratory reagents, equipment and other materials.

• Develops, writes and maintains laboratory protocols and safety records and procedures; makes recommendations for workflow improvements.
• Maintains a clean and safe working environment, manages laboratory waste, and carefully follows Biosafety/Chemical and other safety requirements.
• Supervises, schedules and trains graduate students and staff.
• Provides recommendations with respect to hiring and input into student or staff performance.
• Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS

• Helps to manage and oversee the daily operations of the laboratory, including fiscally responsible recommendations for the purchase of reagents and equipment, inventory management, expense forecasting and maintenance of financial reports, including payment and accurate recording of invoices, payments and orders.

• Assists with the completion of administrative tasks relating to accounting, human resources, research ethics, regulatory approval applications and other duties.
• Assists with development, revisions and renewals of study protocols that adhere to Research Ethics Board regulations for studies of human subjects, and revise and update Biosafety protocols
• Assists with the administration and training of new students and group members; and ensures lab members have necessary lab safety training.
• Maintains prompt, regular and open communication with the PI, other group members and with collaborators; and provides project progress reports weekly to both laboratory members and collaborators.
• Assists with the development of project budgets for grant proposals and collaborative work by obtaining quotes and providing cost estimates.
• Coordinate meetings, visitors to the laboratory, safety and lab training sessions
• Develop, update and maintain laboratory and study websites
• Other administrative tasks as required.

OTHER TASKS

• Contribute to publications resulting from the work.
• Assist in data analysis and regulatory approval applications.
• Attend workshops and seek learning opportunities to acquire new laboratory and administrative skills as required.
• Provide laboratory and administrative support to other lab members as required.
• Work toward creating a positive work environment in a research group with a number of Masters students, and PhD students.
• Seek guidance when confronted with challenges or questions.
• Take initiative whenever possible.
• Other tasks as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Research Technician 4 will be responsible to the PI of the laboratory for the duties listed above. The work conducted forms part of several large, collaborative research projects, including with industry representatives. Errors or lack of detail in performing these functions can lead to inaccurate research results, loss of research funds and may lead to lab censorship by the University, the British Columbia Centre for Disease Prevention, laboratory funding agencies, governmental agencies and research collaborators. Intentional scientific or research misconduct or other misdeed will result in discipline up to and including termination.

This position will be responsible for access, collection, use and disclosure of personal information in accordance with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSBC 1996) and other UBC privacy and security policies. This position requires employees to work under strict confidentiality requirements; internal procedures and policies to protect personal information must be followed and adherence to these requirements will be regularly reviewed by the employer.

Supervision Received
The Research Technician will be supervised by the Principal Investigator of laboratory. The incumbent will work with and be in regular communication with the PI of the laboratory and members of the research group, including graduate students and research staff. The Research Technician exercises a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility, and initiative in determining work procedures and methods, and coordinating the work of the laboratory. The incumbent will also be in contact and communication with investigators and students of collaborating groups. The incumbent will maintain regular contact with accounting, human resources, and biosafety representatives at UBC and the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control.

Supervision Given
The Research Technician may train and supervise undergraduate research students, and may have input into staff selection and performance evaluation

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• B.Sc in relevant field (e.g., microbiology, immunology, molecular biology) - preferred
• M.Sc in relevant field - preferred but not required
• Laboratory experience. Minimum 4 years ‘wet lab’ experience in relevant research field required.
• Excellent knowledge of molecular biology and microbiology techniques;
• Experience performing DNA extractions, PCR, qPCR and other techniques;
• Experience inputting, storing and managing data using Microsoft Excel or similar;
• Basic bioinformatic and UNIX command line knowledge preferred;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills;
• Basic statistical analysis skills;
• Keen interest in microbiology and infectious disease diagnostics;
• Ability to strictly and consistently follow a SOP;
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner;
• Enthusiastic and hard-working; and
• Ability to communicate effectively; verbally and in writing.