Research Assistant/technician 3

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Research Assistant/Technician 3

Department

Research I Tokuyama Laboratory I Department of Microbiology I Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$4,757.00 - $5,187.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

September 12, 2025

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

Job End Date

September 14, 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

Organizational Status
The individual will report directly to the Dr. Tokuyama (PI) weekly. Will initially work under close supervision but is expected to work with mínimal supervision once proficiency in the duties assigned has been established.

Work Performed- Maintaining 3D culture systems to study viral infection.- Generate viral stocks for the lab.- Optimize assays for assessing immune responses to infection.- Assist others in experiments involving confocal microscopy.- Performing in vivo experiments to assess host responses to viral pathogens.- Contribute to experiments needed for manuscripts.- Independently carry out defined experiments agreed upon by the PI, including protocol development and data analysis.- Keep good records of their work on the lab drive.- Assist with experiments for other members of the lab. This will be communicated by the PI and will be determined based on workload.- Contribute to the orderliness and cleanliness of the lab spaces and the maintenance of general-use laboratory reagents and major equipment including the flow cytometer, tissue culture equipment, and molecular equipment in the lab.- Present their ongoing work to the members of the lab and collaborators, as well as attend relevant scientific meetings.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Supervision Received
Initially, all experiments and organizational tasks will be performed under the direct supervision of the PI, or other trained personnel. Written and/or verbal protocols for all procedures will be provided. Once familiar with the techniques and procedures, supervision will continue based on needs.

Supervision Given
We are looking for an independent and self-motivated individual with a thorough knowledge of best laboratory practices. Moreover, as the successful applicant becomes familiar with new protocols and procedures, they will be asked to transfer this knowledge to new team members and to assist in their instruction.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

BSc in Virology, Immunology, or similar discipline preferred. Minimum two years of experience operating in a research laboratory is required. Prior work experience in virology and immunological assays such as viral infection, viral propagation, tittering, 3D cultures, flow cytometry, cell sorting, ELISA, cellular assays and mouse work are strongly recommended. Should be comfortable with spreadsheets, word processing, grant and report writing and manifest a demonstrated ability to organize and complete assignments without ongoing direction. Good interpersonal and practical laboratory skills and ability to calculate molarities for chemical solutions required. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to attend departmental seminars and will fully participate in project team meetings including associated journal discussion group. This includes presentation and discussion of experimental results generated by the applicant and published work described in the scientific literature. Must be able to follow and carry out instructions from PI. Must be able to carry out responsibilities independently. Interest and enthusiasm for scientific research is needed to carry out the research projects in the lab.