Biotechnology Technician

Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryNon Union Technicians and Research AssistantsJob ProfileNon Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3Job TitleBiotechnology TechnicianDepartmentResearch Support | Measday Research Group | Food, Nutrition and Health Program | Faculty of Land and Food SystemsCompensation Range$4, $5,385.67 CAD MonthlyPosting End DateNovember 19, 2025

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

Job End Date

December 12, 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 Biotechnology Technician will run high-throughput yeast assays and sequencing analyses using CFI funded equipment. The technician will be responsible for operating and performing regular Quality Control assays include an Agilent 4150 TapeStation, a Diagenode Bioruptor Pico sonicator, a Biorad Thermal Cycler, a Beckman Coulter liquid handler and a Singer Pinning Robot (ROTOR+). This position will work with Singer Instruments and Beckman Coulter to develop new high-throughput protocols that the Measday lab requires. These protocols will be used directly or further modified by all end users of this equipment. This position will also manage the lab ordering and train new undergraduate and graduate students.

Organizational Status
This position reports directly to the principal investigator (PI), Dr. Vivien Measday, assisting the PI with her research lab at UBC. This position will interact with current undergraduate and graduate students and future members of the Measday lab, as the lab members of Dr. Corey Nislow in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The development of yeast high-throughput protocols will require working with Singer Instruments and Beckman Coulter employees.

Work Performed

• Operates a Singer ROTOR+ pinning robot and a Biomek i5 liquid handling robot to develop and carry out automated yeast assays in agar and 96-well liquid plates.
• Operates a Diagenode Bioruptor Pico sonicator, Biorad Thermal Cycler and an Agilent Tapestation to prepare samples for Illumina sequencing glassware and other items, making stock solutions for the lab.
• Analyzes Illumina sequencing data
• Operates an Applied Biosystems qPCR machine (QuantStudio 6 Pro) for cDNA and gene expression analyses
• Carries out western blots
• Operates a yeast tetrad dissection microscope
• Typical yeast protocols such as growing yeast strains, yeast strain construction, tetrad dissection, yeast transformation
• Oversees lab equipment maintenance and orders reagents.
• Maintains the -80C freezer, -20C freezer, 4C fridge and autoclave. Organizes and cleans out the 4C and -20C walk-in cold room.
• Places orders for necessary reagents in a timely manner.
• Performs other media and lab maintenance duties.
• Makes plate and liquid media, sterilizing media, washing and sterilizing

• Performs other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Poor judgement will result in delays in research and poor data which will negatively impact the validity of the experiments and the reputation of the research lab. 

Supervision Received

Directly supervised Dr. Measday. The PI will monitor the work performed by this position. Lab duties and generated data will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

Supervision Given
The Biotechnology Technician will train undergraduate and graduate students on the use of the CFI funded equipment, lab protocols, as well as train new Measday lab members on a variety of lab procedures such as the use of sterile technique, yeast strain maintenance and yeast media production.

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

• Preference for a BSc degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or Biochemistry.

• MSc in Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or Biochemistry is preferred.

• Technical proficiency in qPCR and Illumina sequencing library generation.

• Illumina sequence analysis using necessary software.

• Excellent problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks effectively.

• Attention to detail.

• Verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong computer skills, including MS Office, internet usage, and email communication.

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