Research Assistant/Technician 3 at University of British Columbia — NeverHard

Staff - Non Union Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants Job Profile Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3 Job Title Research Assistant/Technician 3 Department Research | Blakney | Michael Smith Laboratories | Faculty of Science Compensation Range $4,567.04 - $5,385.67 CAD Monthly Posting End Date May 23, 2026 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date May 31, 2027 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 Research Technician will assist with daily operations, experiments and maintenance of a research laboratory. Emphasis for this position is to assist the research group with daily activities including molecular, cellular and animal experiments as part of active research projects. The individual will be joining a dedicated and highly motivated team of bioengineers, molecular biologists and immunologists. The work and environment are interdisciplinary, with the research focused on development of clinically translational RNA vaccines and therapies. Organizational Status The Research Technician will assist the Principal Investigator and lab members with experiments and day-to-day lab activities. The individual will interact closely with members of the research group including graduate and undergraduate students; UBC and department staff and administrators; and collaborators. The lab technician position is fundamental to the ongoing success of the lab. Work Performed - Plans and performs cloning of new plasmids and synthesizes RNA - Formulates RNA into nanoparticles - Characterizes formulations using standardized protocols - Conducts standard molecular and cell biology experiments on mammalian cells - Coordinates and supports tissue culture of skin explants - Sets up and performs in vivo vaccine studies and imaging of protein expression - Assists with development of novel techniques and methodologies to achieve research goals - Assists lab members in troubleshooting experiments - Assists with analyses and compiles data in report preparation, presents results, and participates in the preparation of scientific manuscripts - Assists with maintenance of equipment in the laboratory - Ships hazardous and non-hazardous reagents in accordance with TDG regulations - Identifies and proposes strategies and procedures to ensure the safe operation of research laboratories. Ensures compliance with safety regulations in the lab - Maintains a clean and fully functional lab environment - Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification. Consequence of Error/Judgement Exercises judgement, responsibility, and initiative related to the functioning of the lab. Incorrect decisions could jeopardize research progress, collaborations, finances and employee safety, and adversely impact future project objectives and personnel. Poor judgment would result in loss of experimental data and delay in conducting research. The Research Technician will be responsible for errors in their work, for reporting problems and mistakes in a timely way, and for correcting those errors. Supervision Received Reports directly to the Principal Investigator to ensure priorities are addressed. Works under general supervision, receives detailed instructions on the assignment of new duties and thereafter only on new or unusual problems. Supervision Given The Research Technician will work as part of a team. They may oversee training, accuracy and production of more junior personnel and graduate students. Minimum Qualifications Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. - 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 Relevant undergraduate degree, and preferably a MASc or MSc in the field of bioengineering, immunology, molecular biology or related fields in the life sciences. Demonstrated experience working in laboratory setting is required, and lab experience would be beneficial. Computer experience with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook), data analysis and figure preparation in GraphPad Prism and figure design in BioRender is an asset. Skills - Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail - Ability to work with the Principal Investigator and research lab members to plan and implement experiments and to analyze data - Demonstrate initiative in determining work priorities and meet deadlines - Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, analytical, experimental, multi-tasking, and organizational skills are required - Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to changing needs - Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships