Research Assistant

Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryNon Union Technicians and Research AssistantsJob ProfileNon Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2Job TitleResearch Assistant /Technician 2DepartmentRoskelley Laboratory | Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences | Faculty of MedicineCompensation Range$4, $5,155.61 CAD MonthlyPosting End DateDecember 8, 2025

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

Job End Date

July 27, 2026

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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
The Roskelley Laboratory works on projects related to cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

Organizational Status
The Roskelley lab is located in the Life Sciences Centre at UBC (Point Grey campus, Vancouver, BC). The successful applicant will work under the direction of the Principal Investigator and Lab Manager.

Work Performed

• Tissue cell culture: maintenance of cultures, experiments in both 2-dimension and 3-dimension, drug treatments, viability assays, transfections, immunostaining, imaging

• Microscopy of live or fixed samples with phase contrast or fluorescent microscopy (including confocal microscopy)

• Analyze cells using flow cytometry, western blotting, amongst other techniques

• Perform molecular biology techniques, such as plasmid isolation, cloning, bacterial transformation

• Potentially assist in conducting in vivo experiments

• Maintain research records and conduct data analysis

• Assist other members of the lab with experimental techniques

• Lab maintenance such as reagent preparation, inventory, general organization, and cleanliness of the lab and lab supplies

• Present experimental data at internal lab meetings

• Other duties as may be required by supervisor

• Adheres to safety regulations and procedures

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The employee is expected to follow procedures and protocols as outlined by the supervisor and to exercise responsibility, initiative, and judgement in determining their work schedule to complete assigned tasks. Errors in judgement could result in loss of materials, loss of time and effort and damage to equipment.

Consequence of error or noncompliance with biosafety and chemical safety regulations could result in loss of credibility and loss of grant funding

Supervision Received
The employee will work under general supervision of the Principal Investigator or Lab Manager. Daily tasks are carried out with minimal supervision and the employee plans and schedules their own work on a daily basis. Increased supervision would occur with new duties or procedure changes. The employee will be encouraged to seek assistance upon encountering any unusual problems or if help is required.

Supervision Given
The employee may be required to assist in the training and supervision of undergraduate students/trainees.

Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two 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 Biological Sciences (cell biology or other relevant fields)
• Lab experience gained through co-op programs
• Experience with cell culture and aseptic technique preferred.
• Experience in flow cytometry would be an asset.
• Superior attention to detail, ensuring the work performed is delivered with precision and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively both in a team and independently.
• Ability to learn quickly, to follow and carry out instructions, to multi-task and prioritize duties effectively.
• Ability to resolve technical problems, and to analyze and interpret data.
• Excellent documentation and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly and to interact positively with other team members are essential.

Working Conditions

Work is carried out in a clean, well-lit modern laboratory environment. Safety and ethics courses will need to be completed (General lab safety, Chemical safety, Biohazard safety). Procedures utilize chemicals and biohazardous materials.

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