Animal Veterinary Research Technician

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Animal Veterinary Research Technician

Department

Research | Horwitz | Department of Microbiology | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$4,757.00 - $5,187.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

June 9, 2025

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

Job End Date

Jun 30, 2026

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 Experimental Modeling Facility (EMF) is a new initiative within the Life Sciences Institute (LSI) to provide specialized mouse modeling services to a variety of research groups with distinct aims and goals. The EMF Research Assistant will play a critical role in performing experimental procedures and animal care duties within the Centre for Disease Modeling (CDM) and the Modified Barrier Facility (MBF). This position offers a unique working environment within the University of British Columbia.

The EMF Research Assistant will be responsible for maintaining colonies of immunocompromised laboratory mice, and performing technical experimental interventions, providing supportive care and regular monitoring under highly aseptic conditions, and assisting in the composition of experimental protocols. The successful incumbent will ensure the highest quality of laboratory animal care and research support by pursuing and improving methods of mouse husbandry and resource utilization. The EMF Research Assistant will work together with other facility technicians, veterinarians, and researchers in a time-sensitive, regulated environment governed by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and UBC Animal Care Committee (ACC). This position requires strict adherence to protocols and standard operating procedures that prevent accidental introduction of disease or confounding research variables.

Some work involves the use of potentially hazardous material or may be located in areas where such materials are used, requiring the use personal protective equipment. On occasion, work schedules may include evenings, weekends, or statutory holidays, with appropriate compensation, to ensure high quality care and compliance with CCAC regulations. The EMF Research Assistant will be expected to work independently with supervisory support available. Orientation and training, including on immunology and molecular biology laboratory techniques; the use of statistical and computer-based software; and scientific publication and grant writing, will be provided on the job.

Organizational Status
The EMF Research Assistant will receive direction from and report to the EMF Manager, Dr. Jessica Allanach, and the Scientific Director, Dr. Marc Horwitz. They will also work with Zone Supervisors & other animal care technicians within the MBF and CDM, and UBC registered veterinary technicians and Clinical Veterinarians. Regular meetings with the Manager and Director, as well as lab members involved in the projects, will facilitate success. They will initially work under close supervision, but are expected to work with mínimal supervision once proficiency in the duties assigned has been established.

Work Performed- Provide consistent, high quality, compassionate care to all mice in the EMF- Maintain professional and positive relationships with animal care staff, veterinarians, and researchers- Responsible for providing basic husbandry (handling, restraint, and health, behavior and welfare surveillance) of laboratory mice in accordance with CCAC guidelines. This includes, but is not limited to: mouse handling; inventories and record keeping for each mouse; assisting with breeding colony maintenance (setting up breeding pairs, feeding, weaning, and keeping records of activity/health); performing rounds to observe and check the physical health and well-being of laboratory mice; preparing health reports; isolating infected or ill mice and reporting to veterinarians; general housekeeping and maintenance of facility equipment- For some projects, perform daily and/or after-hours care (evenings and weekends) for post-operative and experimental animals requiring additional monitoring or supportive care- Following proper training and supervision, perform experimental procedures with high proficiency, including precision-based injections, minor surgery, and blood and tissue/organ sampling- Maintain and manage several immunocompromised mouse colonies in CDM and MBF with strict adherence to SOPs to ensure the health of the colonies. Proven knowledge in aseptic and sterile technique is a must.- Maintain clear records about tasks completed for each project a