Research Lab Technician

**Schedule**
Monday-Friday, 37.5 hours per week

**Education Level**
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.

**Career Level**
Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

**JD #**

JD00648

**Pay Grade**

9

**Title:
**Research Laboratory Technician (V)

**Unit/Project Description**:

- For Department use only._

The MIRC Histology Core Facility (or John Mayberry Histology Facility) is a fully equipped and operational high quality histology core facility with the capacity to process, embed and section both formalin-fixed and cryopreserved tissues. Staining by chemical, antibody (single and multiplex immunohistochemistry) and RNA probe technology with automated instruments is available. The facility provides service to researchers at McMaster University and to external customers, all on a fee-for service basis, is located on the fifth floor of the MCDL building on McMaster's main campus, and is part of the Department of Medicine.

**Job Summary:
**Purpose and Key Functions:
- Design, adapt, and perform specialized in-vitro and in-vivo procedures.
- Organize and conduct specialized research experiments.
- Modify and adapt test procedures and equipment to meet specialized requirements.
- Use statistical software to conduct moderate and complex statistical analyses and calculations.
- Write sections of scientific papers, funding proposals, and abstracts.
- Perform various in-vitro and in-vivo procedures that are moderately complex and specialized.
- Provide recommendations for procedure modifications and development of the research protocol methodologies.
- Adapt and modify established methods, assays, techniques, and equipment for various laboratory and test procedures.
- Liaise with other laboratories, external departments, and agencies to coordinate resources and schedules to meet research objectives.
- Develop presentations and present information at meetings, seminars, and conferences.
- Recognize and investigate apparent reasons for obvious deviations in results obtained.
- Write a variety of documents such as technical and procedural sections for research reports and standard operating procedures.
- Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
- Log samples and related pertinent information.
- Gather and compile experimental results and assist in the preparation of data for reports and publications.
- Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
- Provide updates at research group meetings.
- Responsible for keeping laboratory facilities, equipment, and area in clean, safe working order.
- Assemble and adjust tests and laboratory equipment for experiments and procedures.
- Operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments.
- Ensue adequate supplies are available for experiments.
- Schedule laboratory equipment for use.
- Demonstrate and train others on experimental techniques and the operation of laboratory equipment.
- Prepare chemical reagents and biomedical media according to formulae and assume responsibility for accuracy in the preparation and standardization of solutions.
- Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
- Monitor supplies and order inventories.
- Responsible for the proper storage of materials and the appropriate disposal of waste.
- Adhere to standardized procedures and protocols when dispensing chemicals and base media.
- Input, maintain, and verify information in a variety of databases and spreadsheets.
- Conduct literature searches and write literature reviews.

**Supervision:
**Provide lead hand supervision and is responsible for the quality and quantity of work of others.

**Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.
- Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

**Assets**:

- For Department use only._
- Completed training in the basics of histological methods and microscope work.
- Two or more years experience in all aspects of a histology lab.
- Prior experience and expertise in Immunohistochemistry techniques: human and animal tissue sections.
- CMLTO registration an asset but not required.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.

**Additional Information:
- Hours are normally Monday-Friday but day work hours are flexible.
- A practical exam may be part of interview process.
- A start date of April or May is planned.
- Placement within the McMaster pay scale can be negotiated depending on experience.

**How To Apply**

**Employment Equity Statement**

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of