Fungal Biobank Curatorial Technician

Date Posted: 11/04/2025

Req ID: 45831

Faculty/Division: Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Department: Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Position Number:

Description:

About us:

The Dalla Lana School of Public Health is a Faculty of the University of Toronto that originated as one of the Schools of Hygiene begun by the Rockefeller Foundation in 1927. The School, which plays a criticalrole in the COVID-19 pandemic response, went through a dramatic renaissance after the 2003 SARS crisis and it is now the largest public health school in Canada, with more than 850 faculty, 1,000 students, and research and training partnerships with institutions throughout Toronto and the world. With $53.3 million in research funding per year, the School contributes to improving population health and health policy and health systems through discoveries and innovation in data science and AI, maternal, child and reproductive health, climate change, implementation and improvement sciences, preventable disease through vaccines and prevention through wellness such as with diabetes, comparative health policy, sustainable and equitable health systems, global andIndigenous health, among many other areas. This past year, $10 million philanthropic dollars was raised for research, education and knowledge translation, and the over 7000 alumni were deeply engaged through events and networking opportunities.

Your opportunity:

The Dalla Lana School of Public Health is a Faculty of the University of Toronto that originated as one of the Schools of Hygiene begun by the Rockefeller Foundation in 1927. The School, which played a critical role in the COVID-19 pandemic response, went through a dramatic renaissance after the 2003 SARS crisis and it is now the largest public health school in Canada, with more than 850 faculty, 1,000 students, and research and training partnerships with institutions throughout Toronto and the world. With $76 million in research funding per year, including more than $31.5 million held at DLSPH, the School contributes to improving population health, health policy and health systems through various discoveries and innovation in data science and AI; maternal, child and reproductive health; health impacts and responses to climate change; implementation and improvement sciences; vaccines for preventable diseases; health and wellness; comparative health policy; sustainable and equitable health systems; and global and Indigenous health among many other areas.

The UAMH Centre for Global Microfungal Biodiversity, is a premier repository of biomedically and environmentally important fungi and bacteria, including emerging pathogens, opportunists, allergenic and toxigenic species. The public biobank comprises nearly 12,000 living biospecimens representing over 3,200 species. It is the largest and most important research archive of public health-relevant microfungi in the western hemisphere and one of only two top-level biobanks of these organisms in the world.

As a Fungal Biobank Curatorial Technician, you will part of a dynamic team supporting Dr. James Scott to oversee day to day operations of the lab ensuring technical procedures and rules and regulations are followed to preserve, ship, process, catalogue and archive micro fungi in the lab for use by scientists for research, manufacturing, and diagnostic testing. Relying on your sharp technical and organizational skills, you will ensure adherence to regulatory requirements relating to the handling, use, and transport of microbiological agents, complete safety audits and regulatory reviews, prepare cost estimates, maintain curatorial databases, preserve living strains, and perform DNA isolations and sequencing.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Oversee day-to-day operational needs for mycology lab(s), including preparing and reviewing standard laboratory operating procedures
• Preserving living strains using multiple methodoloiges (e.g., vapour phase liquid nitrogen, lyophilization, oil stocks, water stocks)
• Performing DNA isolation, PCR, and reactions for Sanger sequencing; editing and aligning DNA sequences for molecular strain identification
• Verifying appropriate transfer permits and biosafety requirements by liaising with regulators
• Performing original descriptive cataloguing of resources and/or archivalmaterials and digitizing collections
• Ordering, preparing and maintaining supplies (e.g., reagents, lab stocks), including dealing with vendors and keeping records of invoices
• Orienting students and trainees to the lab (including ensuringtheir biosafety training, arranging key cards, ensuring adequate space in the lab to do their work)
• Maintaining curatorial database and other relevant records

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Mycology (or related field) or acceptable combination of equivalent experience
• Minimum three years of experience working as a Laboratory Technician in a research environment
• Demonstrated experience working with fungal taxonomy emphasizing microfungi
• Familiarity with modern literature on fungal systematics
• Advanced skills at laboratory manipulation of microfungi and sterile technique
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements relating to the handling, use, and transport of microbiological agents (e.g., HPTA/R, HAA/R, PPA/R, TDG, Export Controls, international treaty obligations)
• Experience with DNA isolation, PCR, and reactions for Sanger sequencing; editing and aligning DNA sequences for molecular strain identification
• Experience with preserving living microbial strains using multiple methodologies
• Experience with lab purchasing, liaising with vendors, maintaining equipment, tracking and maintaining inventory
• Experience maintaining curatorial databases (or similar)
• Advanced proficiency with MS Office Suite, and DNA editing and alignment software
• Strong oral and written communication skills, ability to exercise initiative and deal effectively with other lab members including experience demonstrating general laboratory procedures to others
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including task prioritization and record-keeping
• Ability to work with a diverse group of colleagues
• Manual dexterity and close attention to detail

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable
• Communicator
• Multi-tasker
• Organized
• Problem solver
• Resourceful

Please note: 

• This is a one (1) year term position. 

Closing Date: 11/12/2025, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: USW 

Appointment Type: Grant - Term 

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  

USW Pay Band 12 -- $81,312. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $103,986. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 

Job Category: Engineering / Technical

Recruiter: Sharon Hung

Lived Experience Statement

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.