Senior Research Technician

Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryNon Union Technicians and Research AssistantsJob ProfileNon Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 5Job TitleSenior Research TechnicianDepartmentBrubacher Laboratory | Department of Emergency Medicine | Faculty of MedicineCompensation Range$6, $6,966.27 CAD MonthlyPosting End DateJuly 29, 2024

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

Job End Date

Jul 31, 2025

This position is located within a health-care facility, therefore, the successful candidate will be required to provide verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by a provincial health mandate.

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 Senior Research Technician will run the Brubacher Toxicology Lab which is part of the Road Safety and Public Health research group at the Department of Emergency Medicine. The lab currently analyzes approximately 100 blood samples per week for a drug panel of 80+ recreational drugs and prescription medications. The primary roles of this position include acting as a resource for all lab analytical techniques, developing new analytic techniques, monitoring the quality of all analytical analyses, periodically updating the drug panel as indicated or on request of the PI, ensuring that the lab is properly equipped and that all equipment is properly maintained, and supervising and ensuring safety for all staff working in the lab. He/she will develop new analytic techniques (such as a methodology for dried blood spot analysis) as indicated and perform highly skilled technical tasks requiring extensive education, training and experience in the area of toxicology analysis detecting and quantifying cannabinoids, alcohol, recreational drugs and medications using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LCMSMS) and headspace gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (HS-GC-FID) instruments. The successful candidate is expected to keep abreast of new techniques and developments in the area of forensic toxicology. Exceptional organizational skills and a high degree of enthusiasm are required for this position.

This position is full-time, Monday to Friday. Availability for some after hours or weekend work may be required.

Organizational Status

The Road Safety and Public Health research group of the Department of Emergency Medicine is located at the Vancouver General Hospital site and is operationally supported by the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) and the University of British Columbia. The research community based at the VCHRI is comprised mostly of UBC faculty, staff, and students.

Work Performed

• Develops new specialized analytic techniques as required by the PI; it is anticipated that some of these techniques (such as procedures for dried blood spot analysis) will become discipline standards.
• Researches, designs and analyzes results of novel experiments designed to increase the efficiency or expand the scope of toxicology analysis.
• Interprets results of novel experiments and makes proposals for follow-up experiments as indicated.
• Designs and conducts or oversees complex toxicology analyses that may be provided as an external service for other research groups.
• May be required to act as consultant and provide technical advice regarding toxicology analysis for external research groups; it is anticipated that this work will lead to joint authorship on scientific papers.
• Collaborates with external labs in the development of new analytical techniques.
• May be called upon to supervise research projects of graduate students, post doctoral fellows and visiting scientists that relate to area of technical expertise (toxicology analysis), advising on the design of experiments, the development and revision of research protocols and providing guidance to the interpretation and analysis of research.
• Provides technical consultation, advice and instruction to faculty members, researchers, and graduate and post doctoral students in the appropriate use, selection and modification of specialized techniques in area of expertise (Toxicology analysis).
• Liaises with other technical experts and may be called upon to provide advice in field of expertise.
• Contributes to leading edge reports; drafting grant proposals under the supervision of PI.
• Reviews papers and/or new protocols and provides comment in area of expertise at the request of outside sources (as approved by the PI).
• Oversees technical functioning and quality assurance for the Brubacher Toxicology lab. This includes the following responsibilities:
  • Develops standardized lab procedures in support of new and existing research goals and objectives.
  • Develops and writes protocols and safety procedures.
  • Advises the PI on the evaluation, selection and implementation of new instrumentation and methodology, as required.
  • Develops operating procedures and makes recommendation on workflow improvements.
  • Prepares samples for analysis by GC tandem mass spectrometry (GCMSMS) and HS-GC with flame ionization instruments
  • Develops methods for analysis of new analytes as required.
  • Prepares and update standard operation procedures and protocols of various toxicology analytical methods. Documentation and validation of methods, writing of standard operating procedures.
  • Reports toxicology results of LCMSMS chromatographic findings of a drug panel of 80+ recreational and prescription drugs.
  • Provides technical guidance to other toxicology lab staff within the designated discipline or area of expertise using established.
  • Troubleshoots complex equipment and systems problems.
  • Oversees the progress of projects and participates in complex research activities.
  • Provides instruction and training for other toxicology lab staff in the use of specialized techniques and equipment.
  • Supervises, schedules and trains toxicology lab staff, makes recommendations with respect to hiring lab technicians and provides input into toxicology lab staff performance.
  • Quality control (QC) of all analytical methods to ensure consistency of data and documentation of the QCs.
  • Operates and maintains highly specialized equipment: provide basic maintenance of all instruments including column changes, cleaning ion sources and injectors/detectors. Arranges with vendors for specialized repairs.
  • Maintains and updates chemical inventories, supplies and sundries in accordance with "LEAN" practices.
  • Maintains appropriate chemical storage and disposal.
  • Determines appropriate analysis costs for each method.
  • Maintains and documents equipment use metrics through online software.
• May attend scientific meetings and present posters and papers.
• Keeps abreast of techniques and development in field of expertise, including awareness of new emerging substances.
• Researches and determines the applicability of new technology and systems related to research goals.
• Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of this position.

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Consequence of Error/Judgement

The research technician has wide latitude for exercising independent initiative and judgement in the performance of specialized duties and responsibilities. The Research Technician is expected to conduct research activities in an ethical manner. Study data must be reliably and accurately recorded. Strict confidentiality of all study participants must be adhered to.

Supervision Received

Works independently under administrative direction from the Principal Investigator.

Supervision Given

Has supervisory responsibilities for other lab technicians. Provides training and support to trainees and other lab staff. May be required to interview and advise the PI on hiring of other lab technicians.

Minimum Qualifications
University degree in relevant discipline or completion of a technical program and a minimum five 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

• Undergraduate degree in relevant discipline or completion of a technical program and a minimum five years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certified by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (or an Advanced Registered certificate)
• Computer knowledge is essential, MS Excel, Word
• Ability to learn independently, research new processes, develop and validate new assays.
• Extensive experience in using and developing assays for analytical equipment including GC mass spectrometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography is required for this position.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities. Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines. Ability to exercise sound judgement. Ability to exercise initiative, diplomacy, tact, and discretion. Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve. Ability to identify, obtain, and effectively manage organizational resources. Ability to work in a team environment and to work independently with minimal supervision.

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