Laboratory Technician Iii

**Schedule**
Monday to Friday; 8:30am - 5:00pm

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

**Career Level**
Requires 2 years of relevant experience

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

This position requires specialized knowledge of and skills in aquatic sciences research to support multi-year ecotoxicology research with university and government partners. Coordination and delivery of the specifics of these programs requires someone with a diverse mix of expertise - a combination of specialized processing and analyses of biological samples collected from rivers and lakes, biological data analyses and modeling, and aquatic field work with occasional trips to remote locations to collect biological samples. The skills needed in this position include demonstrated competencies in: macroinvertebrate identifications including sorting samples under a microscope to order or family level; database management, statistical analyses and graphing of complex biological and physical data using R; field collections of macroinvertebrates and water quality samples; data entry and management to ensure comparable data across sites, times and projects; and an ability to be in remote locations for 1-2 weeks at a time.

**Job Summary**:
Under the direction of the immediate supervisor, design new laboratory exercises and procedures and oversee the day-to-day operations of a facility, laboratory or multiple laboratories. Organizes, distributes and verifies the work of others and participates in their training.

**Purpose and Key Functions**:

- Design new laboratory exercises and procedures.
- Conduct literature searches and write literature review summaries.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of a facility, laboratory or multiple laboratories.
- Coordinate the execution of experiments, projects and services.
- Establish priorities and ensure adherence to schedules.
- Provides technical guidance and assistance concerning work methods, the use of equipment and techniques, and the analysis of results.
- Review, test, evaluate, and modify equipment and methodology.
- Recognize and investigate apparent reasons for obvious deviations in results obtained.
- Write a variety of documents such as standard operating procedures.
- Conduct initial lab set-up in accordance with lab schedules and requirements.
- Perform pilot experiments and prepare lab demonstration materials.
- Demonstrate and train others on experimental techniques and the operation of laboratory equipment.
- Modify and adapt, labs as directed.
- Conduct moderately complex analyses of data.
- Perform trouble-shooting during the lab period to correct issues including, but not limited to, equipment failure and contamination.
- Update and maintain detailed records of lab preparations and procedures.
- Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
- Calibrate and maintain scientific equipment and instruments in accordance with prescribed requirements.
- Perform minor equipment repairs and arrange for major repairs through supervisor or outside contractor.
- Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
- 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.
- Schedule laboratory equipment for use.
- Prepare a variety of chemicals, solutions, sterile media, staining reagents and other materials required for the lab.
- Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
- Update, maintain, and verify inventory control of chemicals, media, and supplies.
- 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.

**Requirements**:
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.
Requires 2 years of relevant experience.

**Assets**:
Assets include an MSc in a relevant field; knowledge of ecotoxicology research; strong interpersonal and analytical skills; experience communicating science to diverse audiences through reports, presentations, manuscripts, etc.; experience coordinating and conducting field work safely and competently in remote locations; first aid training; Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network or equivalent training for macroinvertebrate identifications.

**Additional Information**:
This position is working in an ecotoxicology lab on a diverse range of field