Lead Histology Technician

Company:
Chronic kidney diseases are a severe and growing worldwide health challenge that affects 1 in 7 people. Without effective treatments patients can experience kidney failure leading to dialysis and transplantation, a high burden to patients, families and the health care system. Despite recent advances for certain kidney disease patients, many forms of highly prevalent kidney diseases do not have effective treatments.

Borealis was founded on the premise that a convergence of scientific and translational breakthroughs will enable RNA therapeutics to address some of the largest untreated kidney diseases and beyond. Borealis builds on the success of Chinook Therapeutics, a kidney disease company with a research site in Vancouver that was acquired by Novartis in 2023 for up to $3.5 billion. The Borealis team has strong leadership and academic advisors who were central to research at Chinook, together with additional leadership in the field of RNA therapeutics. We are headquartered in Vancouver, BC, with state-of-the-art wet labs for molecular and cellular biology, in vivo pharmacology, chemistry, DMPK, bioinformatics and analytical capabilities.

Position:
Borealis Biosciences is seeking a Lead Histology Technician to join Borealis’ multidisciplinary Preclinical Research. You will conduct and manage routine histology tasks, perform and optimize immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays, and analyze histological images to support our various preclinical programs. This is an exciting opportunity for you to work closely with an interdisciplinary team of scientists on developing RNA medicines to treat kidney disease. This position reports to the Executive Director, Translational Systems Biology.

Responsibilities include:

- Perform histology activities including tissue preparation, processing, sectioning, and routine histochemical staining
- Perform and optimize immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization procedures
- Operate slide scanner, bright field and/or confocal microscope to capture images of stained slides
- Train other lab team members to perform routine Histological tasks; may have opportunities to manage junior lab team members
- Create SOPs, maintain rigorous experimental records, and present experimental results to key internal stakeholders
- Support data management efforts for the histology core
- Own responsibility for technical aspects of histology projects
- Prepare clear and concise technical reports, study protocols and data presentations
- Maintain an accurate electronic lab notebook; Experience with Benchling is a plus
- Contribute to publications and participate in scientific conferences as applicable
- Contribute to lab maintenance, reagent preparation and ordering of supplies
- Various other tasks as necessary for the position based on manager’s discretion
- Contribute to and participate in the development and maintenance of a positive team-focused company culture

**Location**:

- This is an on-site lab-based position located in Borealis Bio's Vancouver, BC headquarters. Much of your time will be spent conducting wet lab work.

Education, Experience, and Skills:

- B.Sc. in biology, biochemistry, life sciences, or a related field, with at least 2 years demonstrated experience in a histological laboratory, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience in a biotech or pharm industry setting is preferred
- Minimum one-year hands-on experience sectioning and staining formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples and experience developing IHC and IF protocol
- Experience with the use of imaging analysis software such as ImageJ or QuPath
- Experience supporting human disease research is required
- Experience in kidney disease research a plus
- Experience interpreting IHC and ISH slides a plus
- Organized, self-motivated, able to multitask and deliver results with high degree of attention to detail to advance projects in a timely manner
- Ability to thrive in a fast-pace, multi-disciplinary team environment interacting & communicating with a diverse group of experts
- Comfortable with adjusting workloads based on changing priorities
- Strong desire to learn new skills and take on new tasks
- A sense of urgency to help patients and advance science, with high scientific and ethical standards
- Able to work flexibly (e.g., early mornings and weekends) as study schedules dictate

Compensation: The annual salary range is $71,800 - $91,800 and Borealis Bio provides competitive benefits including RRSP matching, extended medical, dental, vision and a Wellness Spending Account up to $1,800 per year.
- Borealis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. We are committed to fostering an environment where ALL people are welcome and supported. _We cultivate a culture of inclusion for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to