Laboratory Technician

**Department** Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Clinical Islet Transplant Program

**Salary range** $44,016.45 to $58,952.54

**Hours per week** 35

**Grade** 6

**Posted date** April 10, 2025

**Closing date** April 24, 2025

**Position Type** Full Time - Trust Funded

**Description**:
**_This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA)._**

This position has a term length of 1 year plus 1 day and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

**Location** - This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

**Working at the University of Alberta**
- The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community._

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

**Working for the Department of Surgery**

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Operations Director, the Laboratory Technician will use 3D-suspension culture methods to optimize beta-cell differentiation protocols and deliver scale-up of these endocrine cells.

Diabetes is a global health problem worldwide with a huge economic burden. Cell therapies, such as induced pluripotent stem cells could provide a replenishable source of beta cells. Optimized methods and scale-up strategies for human stem cell-derived beta cells could potentially translate this into clinical therapy.

Progressive deterioration of pancreatic beta cells is a hallmark of both type -1 and -2 diabetes. Stem cell therapy shows great promise and has a clear proof of concept to reverse diabetes, but with a limitation of production of sufficient tissue mass for transplant. More advanced methods could lead to scale-up and mass production of reliable stem cell-derived beta cells without off-target cells.

**Duties**
- Routine cell culture: maintenance and differentiation of ESC/iPS cell cultures into pancreatic lineage cells. 60% (including data analysis).
- General lab duties such as maintenance of lab equipment, purchasing, inventory control, cleaning, preparing solutions, data collection and documentation.
- Basic cell biology techniques such as DNA/RNA purification, Q-PCR gene expression, Immunochemistry, protein analysis, Flow cytometry, and Immunoassay (ELISA) (including data analysis).
- Some minor animal work with mice

**Qualifications**
- A BSc degree in Bioscience related field or a related discipline preferred or a certificate in a technical college such as NAIT in biology, science or biotechnology.
- Computer proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Strong communication skills in English, both written and verbal.
- Strong analytical skills, organization skills and time management skills.
- One to two years experience in a laboratory setting.
- Knowledge of University of Alberta policies and procedures would be an asset.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of inclusivity and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes ayant une orientation sexuelle ou une identité et une expression sexospécifique; et tous ceux qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.

**Note**: This opportunity will be available until midnight April 24, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time.