Staff - Union
Job Category
CUPE 116
Job Profile
CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3
Job Title
Animal Veterinary Research Technician
Department
Research | Horwitz | Department of Microbiology | Faculty of Science
Compensation Range
$4,757.00 - $5,187.00 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date
June 24, 2025
Note:Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
Jun 30, 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
The Experimental Modeling Facility (EMF) is a new initiative within the Life Sciences Institute (LSI) to provide specialized mouse modeling services to a variety of research groups with distinct aims and goals. The EMF Research Assistant will play a critical role in performing experimental procedures and animal care duties within the Centre for Disease Modeling (CDM) and the Modified Barrier Facility (MBF). This position offers a unique working environment within the University of British Columbia.
The EMF Research Assistant will be responsible for maintaining colonies of immunocompromised laboratory mice, and performing technical experimental interventions, providing supportive care and regular monitoring under highly aseptic conditions, and assisting in the composition of experimental protocols. The successful incumbent will ensure the highest quality of laboratory animal care and research support by pursuing and improving methods of mouse husbandry and resource utilization. The EMF Research Assistant will work together with other facility technicians, veterinarians, and researchers in a time-sensitive, regulated environment governed by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and UBC Animal Care Committee (ACC). This position requires strict adherence to protocols and standard operating procedures that prevent accidental introduction of disease or confounding research variables.
Some work involves the use of potentially hazardous material or may be located in areas where such materials are used, requiring the use personal protective equipment. On occasion, work schedules may include evenings, weekends, or statutory holidays, with appropriate compensation, to ensure high quality care and compliance with CCAC regulations. The EMF Research Assistant will be expected to work independently with supervisory support available. Orientation and training, including on immunology and molecular biology laboratory techniques; the use of statistical and computer-based software; and scientific publication and grant writing, will be provided on the job.
Organizational Status
The EMF Research Assistant will receive direction from and report to the EMF Manager, Dr. Jessica Allanach, and the Scientific Director, Dr. Marc Horwitz. They will also work with Zone Supervisors & other animal care technicians within the MBF and CDM, and UBC registered veterinary technicians and Clinical Veterinarians. Regular meetings with the Manager and Director, as well as lab members involved in the projects, will facilitate success. They will initially work under close supervision, but are expected to work with minimal supervision once proficiency in the duties assigned has been established.
Work Performed
Provide consistent, high quality, compassionate care to all mice in the EMF
Maintain professional and positive relationships with animal care staff, veterinarians, and researchers
Responsible for providing basic husbandry (handling, restraint, and health, behavior and welfare surveillance) of laboratory mice in accordance with CCAC guidelines. This includes, but is not limited to: mouse handling; inventories and record keeping for each mouse; assisting with breeding colony maintenance (setting up breeding pairs, feeding, weaning, and keeping records of activity/health); performing rounds to observe and check the physical health and well-being of laboratory mice; preparing health reports; isolating infected or ill mice and reporting to veterinarians; general housekeeping and maintenance of facility equipment
For some projects, perform daily and/or after-hours care (evenings and weekends) for post-operative and experimental animals requiring additional monitoring or supportive care
Following proper training and supervision, perform experimental procedures with high proficiency, including precision-based injections, minor surgery, and blood and tissue/organ sampling
Maintain and manage several immunocompromised mouse colonies in CDM and MBF with strict adherence to SOPs to ensure the health of the colonies. Proven knowledge in aseptic and sterile technique is a must.
Maintain clear records about tasks completed for each project and maintain project-specific supply inventories
Plan, order, and prepare in advance all supplies required for experimental procedures
Participate in meetings related to technical, scientific, and organizational aspects of the projects
Meet regularly with the lab members, facility supervisors, and Manager to update on status of projects, needs and future plans
Write and update SOPs as needed, for final approval by the EMF Manager
Ability to self-direct and self-manage own work and the work of other researchers working on EMF projects
Train staff, lab members, and students on immunocompromised mouse handling techniques, supportive care, and experimental procedures
Provide feedback for improvements and design changes for projects and procedures being developed
Troubleshoot experiments with the manager and scientific director, repeat experiments as needed
Write, amend, and renew experimental protocols for ACS review
Package, label, and process biological and hazardous materials out of the CDM and MBF
Responsible for the maintenance and organization of equipment, reagents, and supplies for experimental procedures involving immunocompromised mice
Follow all safety standards, standard operating procedures, and policies
Communicate with laboratory mouse vendors and mouse modeling communities to learn and request information on the procedures/problems, and help develop new procedures as needed
Participate in continuing education programs and maintain required courses, certifications and training
Treat confidentially all information related to research projects, personnel, and locations, and agrees not to disclose any such information to any person except as may be necessary in the proper discharge of work obligations
Consequence of Error/Judgement
The EMF Research Assistant is expected to exercise good judgment in planning and scheduling their work. They must be willing to pay attention to details, be aware of pitfalls, and be willing to repeat tasks if necessary. Most of the procedures will require following a protocol already in place; however, there is room for innovative thinking to improve upon existing protocols and provide input into the direction of the projects. This position requires some initiative and judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion. Incorrect decisions could result in deterioration of animal health and/or disruption or ruination of a research study. Failure to follow SOPs when handling biohazardous material may risk infection or harm to self-and/or other researchers and staff. Inappropriate judgment exercised in the position may impact the success of the facility, leading to increased expenses, interruptions to research, time loss, and reputational damage. New or unusual problems encountered while performing their work will be referred to the Manager and Scientific director. To minimize errors, training will be provided, and support for learning and development on the job will be provided. Additionally, supervision of progress and decisions, especially at the beginning of the position, will help to minimize these risks. New or unusual problems encountered while performing their work will be referred to the Manager and Scientific director.
Supervision Received
The EMF Research Assistant will work under the direction of the EMF Manager and the Scientific Director and coordinate with members of various labs to successfully complete projects. The incumbent will receive instructions during orientation, on subsequent new assignments, on changes in procedures, and on unusual problems or matters which are not covered under established SOPs and policies. The applicant will be trained in various research techniques and expected to perform the tasks independently. The incumbent is expected to carry out familiar duties and responsibilities under general supervision and the manager and scientific direct will assist in troubleshooting as needed.
Supervision Given
The incumbent will work with the EMF Manager to organize and assign work assignments, as well as initiate new employees into routines, procedures, and operations of the EMF. May instruct co-workers, researchers, and their staff in techniques and procedures, and ensure adherence to established SOPs and policies. The EMF Research Assistant will help supervise and train new undergraduate and graduate students with EMF projects.
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
Veterinary Technician certificate and/or a B.Sc. degree in an Animal Science and/or Immunology related field with practical experience preferred
Experience working with small animals in a research capacity
Experience working with immunocompromised rodents is an asset
RLAT (or RLATR) CALAS certification is an asset
A sound theoretical and working knowledge of the principles and practice of laboratory animal science
Certifications in laboratory mouse husbandry/anesthesia/injection and biosafety preferred
Participate in continuing education programs and maintain required courses, certifications and training
Interest and enthusiasm for scientific research
Ability to
Work effectively independently in a team environment
Work occasional weekends, evenings, and statutory holidays for some projects
Be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail and record keeping
Self-direct and self-manage own work and the work of other researchers working on EMF projects
Perform the physical demands of the job: work with high humidity, variable temperatures, and continuous exposure to animal dander, odors, excreta, dust, and noise
Independently be able to walk and stand for extended periods, lift, carry, and move up to 15 kg objects over a distance
Perform repetitive tasks; good manual dexterity, mobility, auditory, olfactory, and visual skills
Comfortably handle various general laboratory reagents, research compounds, chemicals, and biological samples
Effectively use software at a moderate level e.g., Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Workday, Mosaic Vivarium
Operate job-related equipment (e.g., anesthetic machines)
Read and comprehend technical material
Maintain and upgrade training and to train others
Understand and apply policies, SOPs, instructions and applicable CCAC guidelines
Prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines
Organize and complete assignments without ongoing direction
Communicate in a clear, attentive, and polite manner, both verbally and in writing
Listen actively and attentively, and obtain clarification as required
Deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner
Work toward consensus and resolve differences
Develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships
Effectively resolve complaints and interpersonal conflict in a calm, non-confrontational manner, and by exercising sound judgment
Exercise tact and discretion
