Laboratory Technician

**Classification & Regular Hours**: Hours per Week: 37.5 Salary Grade: Level N **About Western**: Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. **About Us**: The Laboratory Teaching Technician support team is responsible for providing the Department of Biology with strong, efficient and innovative approaches to the laboratory course requirements of the unit. We provide support for a diverse group within the department, including Faculty, graduate and undergraduate students. We provide expertise in diverse laboratory teaching environments, with ever changing and competing demands. **Responsibilities**: The Laboratory Technician works in a team and provides technical support to undergraduate laboratory courses primarily in the area of organismal physiology and animal diversity in the Department of Biology, under the direction of the Manager, Undergraduate Labs Operation. In consultation with the instructors, and working from syllabus and templates, this position plans, prepares, and delivers labs, and maintains associated teaching laboratories, equipment, and apparatus. The role ensures the timely availability of materials and resources related to the laboratory, and orders supplies using pre-established guidelines. The Laboratory Technician operates and sets-up laboratory equipment, apparatuses and instrumentation for use in courses, and cleans up after each laboratory session. In addition, this role serves as a backup for required daily observation and care for teaching animals (mainly fish) in the department. **Qualifications**: **Education**: - 4 year University Bachelor’s Degree in Biology or Zoology with specialization in organismal physiology and animal diversity **Experience**: - 1 year of hands-on job experience working with fish and other animals, and experience in rearing and caring of aquatic animals including knowledge of their growth conditions, behavior, food preference, and habitat - Technical hands-on job experience working directly in a technical support role in an undergraduate biological science teaching laboratory would be an asset Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - Excellent ability to work independently or as part of a collaborative team - Demonstrated ability to prepare, setup, and deploy organismal physiology and animal diversity undergraduate teaching labs in large volumes following schedule and instructions - Demonstrated ability to perform large volume lab set up within a very tight schedule and in high-paced peak demand time during academic terms, while maintaining animal care - Familiarity with different types of respirometer for plants and animals to measure metabolic rates - Excellent working knowledge of handling fish (e.g. Cichlid, Bluegill), and invertebrate laboratory animals including crayfish, clam, sea stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers - Excellent working knowledge of rearing and caring of fish including knowledge of their growth conditions, habitat, breeding environment, etc. - Valid driver license to collect and return aquatic animals (e.g. crayfish) from and to rivers and streams - Familiarity with common laboratory safety practices, safe chemical handling, WHMIS, and MSDS - Ability to clean and maintain large fish tanks; Ability to bend, stoop, reach, climb step stool, lift and retrieve items weighing up to 20 kg using proper ergonomic procedures and related equipment - Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the laboratory’s events and activities (irregular hours in a time-shifted week such as late evening, weekend, and holidays to accommodate year-round animal care and lab course set up) - Ability to seek support in complex interpersonal conflicts or situations - Judgement, analytical, and strong problem-solving skills in order to identify point of error during animal care and laboratory preparation - Excellent multitasking skills and ability to meet multiple competing priorities and deadlines - Excellent organization, communication, time management, and interpersonal skills wit the ability to quickly adapt to new changes and situations - Verbal and written communication skills with an excellent command of the English language - Basic computer skills with Microsoft Office suite **Union Statement**: **Background Checks**: While transcripts are not required for the interview, they are mandatory prior to any offer of employment. **Western Values Diversity**: Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you req