Research Technician

Hours per Week: 37.5

Salary Grade: Level N

Please note, this is a wholly grant funded, 2 year temporary full time contract opportunity.

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.

The Robarts Research Institute within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University has a mission to accelerate medical discovery. Through a powerful integration of basic and clinical research, we are driving major advances that impact on many of today's most devastating diseases.

The mission of Dr. Koschinsky's and Dr. Boffa's research is to study the role of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and its unique apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) component in molecular and cellular processes that underlie cardiovascular disease.

The Research Technician will work under the direction of Principal Investigators Koschinsky and Boffa, in collaboration with staff and students as appropriate, to prepare and conduct experiments using established techniques, protocols and procedures in a research facility that focuses on identifying the components and properties of Lp(a) that underlie its pathophysiological events in cardiovascular disease. The Research Technician will utilize confocal microscopy and perform experiments including primary cell cultures such as human vascular endothelial cells to assess cellular signaling pathways in response to treatment with isolated Lp(a) and human apolipoprotein(a). The role will also isolate and purify Lipoprotein(a) from human plasma, and recombinant apo(a) and mutant derivatives will be expressed and purified from stably-expressing mammalian cell lines. The Research Technician will involve performing of biochemical studies, including molecular and cellular assays to study the effects of apo(a) and Lp(a) on molecular and cellular processes, and the analysis of resulting data using appropriate software packages. The data will form an important component of both new grant applications that the PIs will be submitting as well as revision of manuscripts that require additional data. The role will contribute to providing guidance to students in the laboratory as needed, assisting with laboratory maintenance and organization as required, and operating and troubleshooting equipment and instrumentation directly relevant to this research.

Education:

• 4 year university bachelor's degree in biochemistry, cell biology or related discipline
• Master of Science is preferred

Experience:

• 1 year of experience in a research-intensive laboratory environment
• Experience utilizing confocal microscopes and culturing primary and established human cells, lipoprotein isolation from human plasma, recombinant mammalian apolipoprotein protein expression purification, and biochemical analysis
• Experience in performing experimental data analysis and developing related reports
• Experience with statistical analysis and programs such as GraphPad Prism is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Familiarity with methods for research design, implementation, and analysis
• Familiarity with techniques for updating, managing and extracting data from a research database
• Ability to identify key results from research and to summarize and draft reports on research findings
• Familiarity with preventative maintenance techniques and practices
• Communication skills with an ability to complete detailed analytics and reports
• Ability to apply critical thinking to evaluate information and make appropriate decisions or recommendations
• Attention to detail with an ability to retrieve, analyze and synthesize sizable amounts of data, while ensuring that information is accurate and comprehensive
• Ability to follow formal processes and protocols with high attention to detail
• Ability to employ a systematic and efficient approach to work
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet tight deadlines and adapt to changing priorities
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and with statistical analysis software (such as GraphPad Prism)
• Excellent troubleshooting ability along with hands-on expertise in technical support
• Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues including research trainees and research staff
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve research goals
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures related to research preferred

Western welcomes applications from all qualified individuals; however, it is the university's policy to give first consideration to all qualified UWOSA applicants.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone

This position is an existing vacancy. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.